As tourists, my husband and I found the restaurant schedule for meals ridiculous. North Americans like to eat dinner early like 17:00 to 18:00 hrs and a lot of restaurants were closed until 19h30 or 20:00hrs. Also restaurants close after 14:00hrs and reopen for dinner so good luck finding a restaurant open when you are hungry.

I've been to the Azores and I can honestly say the worst thing about them is having to leave! I was so mesmerized by their breathtaking scenery and welcoming locals that my stay seemed so short!

Why so many tourists are complaining about insects?! You are in the middle of Nature! And they were here first! So many people leave their food open and outside the refrigerator or containers... and then are shocked to find ants in their sugar or cockroaches in their not properly closed bag with bread... guys, please remember that you are not in the middle of an big city!!!

I spent 2 weeks in Horta, Faial in November. I loved it there. The food was amazing and the people were so lovely. It was, however, painfully difficult to get there from UK. I had to fly from Manchester to Porto, Porto to Ponta Delgada, Ponta Delgada to Terceira and Terceira to Horta. All told, including the waiting at airports, it took more than 24 hours of travelling. Fortunately, in Porto, there were chairs in the Departure lounge that it was possible to catch a little sleep on and the Portuguese airport authorities are not at all phased about travellers doing this. My main problem was getting back to UK food after the 2 weeks was up. I can no longer eat English bread unless it was from an artisan bakery and it took me a while to find a cheese that was remotely any where near as good as the Azorean cheeses.

If you work remotely. You can do it! It's inspirational, a mental reset, and beautiful!

I am so so glad you did receive a very positive reaction to this video. I made one very similar to yours and I got so much hate I had to put it down when I received mails from people threating my life about it 😅 (and no, I was not rude, I just talked about the mold and the flight connections and how on Pico it can be really hard to get certain things including fresh vegetables). So I am glad your comment sections seems to be rather nice! Greetings from Pico!

Excellent informative video! I was on Ponta Delgada last Nov, what a stunningly beautiful Island! The first day , i had no car, and used the public buses.. I have to say,, you absolutely need a car. once I got mine, I was able to explore so many different spots.. I plan on going back in the future to visit a couple of other Islands. thanks for the great video!

São Miguel is so beautiful. I will be coming back and look around again. Sete cidades is amazing and all the beaches. For a person who lives there it is hard, most of my young cousins work and go to school in europe. Força dos Açores!!!

I watched your video months ago, on Terceira. And I just re-watched it. You are exactly right on everything that you mentioned. Thank you very much for your insights. Nothing was a surprise for me, and actually helped me make my decision in buying the house.

Really good video. THe information was honest and helpful. Thank you.

Interesting information, and thanks for sharing. We´re visiting the Azores this summer, and literally none of these things are what I would consider a problem, more just facts of life literally everywhere.

My husband and I always go to Madeira, the weather is great there during summer and during winter it’s still ok. A lot better than our native Dutch weather. He proposed to me on Porto Santo so Madeira and Porto Santo have a lot of meaning to us. We now want to visit the Azores too on our next holiday. I’ve always wanted to see manta rays in real life in the ocean so maybe that’s also possible to do and dive at the Azores. Thank you for the informative video!

Azores is the beautiful islands clean and the food are great I don't like when someone say is not good

Excellent video. Well spoken full of wisdom and easily understood. Tourists are often very demanding if they go somewhere without doing adequate research. I llve place that gets many thousands of tourists from around the world. Many are understanding that things are different from where they come from, but there are others who are demanding, and upset to find things are not the same as where they come from. That's just the way it always is just about anywhere. It's like they expect you to change your culture and ways of doing things to satisfy their expectations. From my extensive travels in the world I have found other places like this - usually it is a specific area where tourists can live in a bubble that is very similar to where the majority of them have come from. Where things are done to cater to the manner of doing things back home. One place that comes to mind is Hawaii. Many tourists like to stay in the area called Waikiki. It is surrounded by the Alawai Canal. It is full of stores selling cheap souvenirs and seriously overpriced convenience stores and restaurants serving overpriced and mediocre food. It was also a place where people will get loud, rude, stupid, and drunk. Very often. Locals rarely went into this area unless they worked there. Most never saw the Hawaiian way of life, and probably weren't interested anyhow. My point is life in a place from a tourists perspective versus one who lives there are quite different. Disappointment in travel often is the result of poor planning and preparation. Don't just believe the glossy tourist brochures. Dig a little deeper.

Thank you very much. These are very important things to know before taking decisions !

Many, many generations ago, some of my ancestors came from this island. I have not come across any documentation that they ever went back to visit, but then again, 3 centuries ago it was not an easy thing. Thanks for this nice video

This is SO helpful for me and bringing my idealised view of living in the Azores down to earth.

Very much enjoy your videos...Thank you for your time and effort...

Absolutely video. Thank you for sharing your tips..

Very useful information.. thanks…

Retiring to Sao Miguel from The Netherlands 2024 after many holidays past on the island. Very informative vid.

Usefull video!I am bulgarian who living in Czech Republic and i want to change my homeplace,maybe Azores will be good choice.I was on Martinique island before 4 years and from this moment i start thinking about some general change of my life.Thanks for video! 🇧🇬🇨🇿 🏝

Very informative thank you

Coming from Scotland, some of the reasons I like visiting the Azores are the relative lack of bitey insects and the rather good weather. However getting through Lisbon Airport is a bit of a horror show and Terceira flights seem to have a luggage issue. Don't you just love the bus ride to the far side from the terminal to get the SATA planes. Car hire is very awkward. Best tip don't think of it as one place and just concentrate on a couple of islands. We usually go to Flores and spend some time in another group on the way there and way back. Lots of flights though - once needed 5 to get back to Edinburgh.

7:17 There is some snow ❄️ on the highlands occasionally, often times in Pico but other islands as well.

I was stationed there in the Air Force MANY years ago. It was well known as NOT a favorable place to be stationed at. Not all people didn't like it, there were some who got out of the Air Force, bought land and a house and stayed there. Personally I couldn't STAND the weather there. One minute, the sun is shining, the next minute it's raining HARD and the wind..... OH THE FREAKING WIND!!! It's REALLY hilly, so when it rains and you're walking next to a hill that's a drop off, the wind pushes the rain UP the hill and it rains UP! So now you're getting drenched from ALL directions. No one is going to melt, it's just that it's cold water when it rains and it's MISERABLE!!! Dental services are almost NON-existent there. Mold grows INSIDE your house like CRAZY because the humidity is SOOOO high all the time! The food off base was really good and the scenery was AMAZING when it wasn't raining. Yes, the roads are SOOOOO narrow!!! Lots of cows and other animals all over the place. A lot of their streets are made out of small square rocks, so the roads are very bumpy. No worries about people speeding there! There was a small bar JUST outside the base. We would sit outside and tourists would come by asking for directions. I would tell them to just stay on this road until you come to the railroad tracks, then make a left and you'll see it (whatever they were asking for...). They would say THANKS and take off .... There are NO railroads there, it's a small island! .... AND that road goes all the way around the island. so in a little over an hour, we'd see the SAME tourists fly by..... then again ....

Thank you very much for sincerity.

I lived there for 15 months on Teciera Island near Lajes. I loved the people and its festivals. Only disadvantage is a small island not much choice for shopping. Yes the weather can be crappy but I lived northern Greenland , the Middle East and now San Antonio Texas. Great life experience.

Always ask a bright honest local first. Thank you, love

Great video. Thank you.

Mount Pico sometimes get snow in winter.

Thank you very much for that Video!

Thank you very much! We are considering to move there...

thank for the great information

Hi - you mentioned some parts of the Island have less humidity in the winter - which ones? I had a feeling from touring around last week that Nordeste/Algarvia looks as though it might be drier and less humid?

Never was on Azores, but I love them :) Thats because I hate cold frosty winters and too hot and wet summers, like we have here in Czechia. That's why I think Azores are perfect place from a climate point of view. Winter humidity can be solved with a dehumidifier, as the lady mentioned in video. In the case of a small house, I wouldn't be afraid to use thermal insulation as well, as is common in mainland Europe.

The worst thing with all paradise islands is the lack of housing. The number of available rental units has dropped as remote workers have moved in. At the same time, the prices have gone up angering also the locals.

07:40 Oh, I see you addressed this issue, regarding humidity, thank you so much, very informative!

My Dreamland 😔😌😌😌😌

Nice video, thank you. May I say, (i don’t believe you are a native English speaker), that your English is incredibly good. Very well done.

Thanks, I would only stay there for a month at the most. I appreciate your info, Thanks....

Hi, Nice video! We are visiting Azores soon. We want to do the hike in Sao Jorge accross the island, but there are not enough camping sites or hotels on that hike. I know it is not allowed to wild camp, but do you know if there might be another solution? Ask people to camp in their garden or so? Would that be doable? And is there any public transportation there? Also, is renting a scooter as difficult as renting a car? Should we book a scooter beforehand as well? Thanks a lot!

Hi Noemi, Thanks for giving us insights about Azores. I wonder if you'd know the best online sites where I could look for home rentals in Azores. Thanks

TY very helpful

Loved the video! How accepting and welcoming are locals of people moving there from other countries? Plus, would the climate be difficult for someone moving there from the tropics? (which has 30 degree weather year round and a distinct dry and wet season)

You can fly from Terceira Island to all the others island as well

The ferrys only on work in the central group of islands in the archipelago because the island are closer together. the flights are expensive for foreigners, for locals is actually not that bad ( i pay 100 euros from sao jorge to Lisbon). I suggest you to visit Sao Jorge if you havent yet, its such a stunning place.

Great video, know Azores well specially Pico island. In the winter the mountain top, highest mountain from whole Portugal, can be covered with snow, can climb the mountain . Only negative issue I find is healthcare, if you have a certain serious issue, you might need to go to mainland Portugal. Further enjoy the clean air, spectacular views, food (great wine from Pico), watching whales, dolphins and a lot of swimming in the clearest water one has ever seen.

I'm planning to visit the Azores sometime soon and if I like it there I would be open to live there at least for a few years. Things here in Germany are just not looking all that nice in the short and mid term. How is the internet on the Azores? Does it vary a lot between the islands? Do they have Amazon anywhere there at all? Hey, if it's difficult to get anything there, I'd see that as a potential opportunity to import and sell it.

Loved the Azores was there for my 50th 8 year ago.

I've never heard anybody (particularly a European) pronounce the Azores that way in English? AYzores? Most people pronounce it AzORES.

North Americans depends probably were you live . In Montreal Canada restaurants are empty at 5 or 6PM . People like to go and eat after 7PM wich is the most popular hours when they fill up with customers. As for restaurants closing at 14h00 you are correct but you also have to understand they do this because there are not enough clients to keep these restaurants busy .

Looks like you are walking in Vila Franca. 😀 We just were there yesterday.

Rent a car turned into a way to get easy money so there's no cars, prices go up. It's more ridiculous when the parking lot is full of cars, they just lie. In the winter, companies have to sell some of the cars and store most of then, so they do what they can to profit in the summer. Small companies or private rent a cars usually have half the prices but are hard to find online. If you visit an island very often is better to buy a car. This year I visited the last island I missed and the thing that most annoyed me is still humidity, mostly after a week. Rain isnt ok for some but bcz of the ok temperature its ok, just dont forget the umbrella. Residents have some discounts in flights, in some ferry trips you can take the car but if the sea isnt calm, the trips between islands are hard to do, most get sea sickness. There's some positive points about locals, sometime they can help with the bad things.

Looks like an adventure

Terceira has an international airport

I lived there for 11 years and my brother was born there as military brats. It’s the closest thing to where I came from I can claim.

There are flights between most islands. There are some international flights that go to Terceida or Santa Maria, most do route through Sao Miguel

Hi please can you tel me the place where you are on the beginning of this you tube movie i like the houses behind you thank you tamara

Hi, are there wild mushrooms?like porcini?

🍀.

Thanks for video! Wondering...for book lovers, are there libraries (with books in English) on any of the Azores Islands?

Are you from the Azores? My wife and I are thinking of living part time in São Jorge. Do you know anything about Lajes Field?

- Mold is the only real problem for me but there is little you can do about it. ... Minor nuisances: - Irresponsible parking. You are supposed to never be in a hurry so don't get mad when someone has parked sideways of a narrow main road. - Stray cats. Lots of them. - Spartan waiting rooms in airports other than Ponta Delgada. But it makes part of the charm. These airports were made before mass tourism was an issue. - Perhaps local diet is not so healthy in the small islands if you are concerned about this point. (And boredom leads many islanders to smoking and drinking). Preventive medicine has a long way to improve here. Mortality rates are worst than in continental Portugal. If you have some kind of handicap or long-term illness only São Miguel, Terceira and Faial may be suitable for you. I usually visit the islands twice a year and these small things are not preventing me of loving the place.

Hi Where are the good surf spots on San Miguel? Thx

can you give links to Cameras you were mentioning to check?

Could you please tell what do you mean by a little bir cold? I mean my first condition is to go and live in an island is weather, if it really gets cold like mainland Europe, it does not make any difference 😩

Nice video

And now for the good news : there is (a little) more place for your legs in SATA aircrafts that in the TAP ones, and more : they give you a (very tiny) snack during the flight, while on TAP the only thing you can get for free is 'um copo de agua' (a cup of plain water). One (local) beer costs 7,10€ on a TAP flight. You'd better know it earlier.

Nice video.

It's surprising how much the humidity, insects and lizards sounds just like Florida. We have those exact same things in Florida, but we do have heating and air conditioning here in Florida. The Azores are way more beautiful than Florida though. It's just flat here.

It takes a while to adapt to the open/close hours of restaurants and stores. I end up cooking a lot more and saving money.

Não existirem carros faz parte da sustentabilidade .... Deixem de publicitar a ilha dessa forma , se querem conforto fiquem nos vossos países

Hi. Do you find the people friendly? Do they know how to speak English? Btw, in São Miguel which are some good places go eat? Thanks for the upload!

Just curious: from which country are you originally?

I am originally from Madeira and live in UK for the last 15 years and I am seriously thinking to move back to Portugal but to Açores. My plan is to buy a house where I can build a small business as a food store and a small coffee shop and also buy some land. The cost of living is crippling up in UK and I believe I can have a normal live in Açores. Let’s see

Hi Neomi! I'm visiting Sao Miguel from the end of October for 3 weeks. After that, I will have 3 more weeks to spend in the Azores. Do you have any idea which other islands I should see in the remaining 3 weeks (considering the weather in November)? And how much time to spend on each of them? BTW - I'm traveling alone and working from my laptop, so if you have any suggestions about places (with a good internet connection) to stay and meet people, please share them with me. Thank you!

Linda❤️🌹

If you’re looking for a great holidays, relaxing , having good food as a regular person, you’re welcome. I’ve been in there. Remember, perfection doesn’t exist but let’s not ruin paradise….

I love move there I have lots family there. Most left because lake of work.

How is healthcare system? I'm paralyzed but not bedridden I get around. I would love to live out the rest of my days in this solitary paradise

Next time you go to the azores i have a house and automatic transmission car it's located in vila franca do campo only on summer

The restaurant schedule is a bit challenging, and you better like meat because that's about all they serve!

You said car rentals can be difficult. Are scooters available? Sometimes a scooter can be more convenient than a car. Also, way less expensive. Especially the fuel costs.

Islands are small wonder about bicycles or electric or pedal assist bicycles. Wonder if they would work instead of a car or car rental?

How are you not on the azores groups with more views

Honey people got to improvise they need to go to Hertz-Rent-a-Donkey much more less expensive and guess what its always a convertible

How often you go to Azores?

Love ur accent. Menina linda

shouldn't you book the car BEFORE you book the plane tickets? The former is cancellable, the latter maybe not.

I come for 8 weeks and I hate having to leave.

My entire family is from Santa Maria. It's a paradise, but it's got a very low population, the winters it's baron and boring 😴

The worst things? Ex-pats. I am one, so I should know.

Volcanos?

Spot Azores app for weather, live video cam of beaches etc

Bicos im from Portugal

You forgot ants

A bit like Ireland with nice people.

im comming back !

lizards eat roaches, right?