INVEST IN REALITY
future proof your life here in the Algarve!
O
ur decision to move to this wonderful country, leaving wherever home once was, would without doubt, have been thought about long and hard. Starting a new life abroad in the sun is a dream for many. For those who are brave enough to take the step to make the dream come true, for some it works out, for others it does not, for one reason or another. For many people (myself included), Portugal is home, and will be for as long as possible. I have lived in the East Algarve since 2007. During this time I have seen many people come and go, also, through running this magazine, I´ve seen many businesses come and go too, all for different reasons, but there is one reason that crops up more than any other, and that is care facilities. Currently in the Algarve there is only one live in care-home that caters for expats. There are of course many Portuguese facilities, however, the idea of living in a community that does not speak the same language as you, especially in our later years is not really an option. So we have no other choice but to leave the place we call home, and return to
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a place we chose to leave many years ago. We leave behind our friends, the climate we have become accustomed to, and also the healthier diet and lifestyle Portugal offers. We return to a place we haven´t lived for years. Cold, dark, dreary, wet evenings, old friends who have moved on in life and with whom we have little in common with any more. I guess if our children are there, we could always become a burden to them! Personally, this would be a nightmare for me. Unthinkable! So to the point of me writing this... In 2007, my father and his partner, my wife, our three children and myself moved to Portugal. We bought a small Rural Hotel in a tiny villiage called Fonte do Bispo, close to Santa Catarina, just outside Tavira. It was the perfect size for us to run and call our home. The Hotel had six, one bedroomed cottages, a small bistro and a hall for weddings. It was a dream come true. We even launched our very own magazine to help promote activities at the Quinta. Sadly, after only a few years, licensing laws and regulations changed. In order to trade under the �Turismo Rural� category, we needed 15 rooms instead of only 6. It was suggested by the tourism board of
Portugal, that we turn our tiny little Hotel into a 32 room Four star Hotel, with 100% wheelchair friendly access, plus the original 6 cottages. We agreed their terms and the build began in 2013, and as you can see by the photos, is very nearly complete. In recent years, life has thrown its usual challenges, and now, I am the sole owner of the Quinta. This has brought many changes, one of them being its destiny. The necessity for a care facility in this area is a reality. As mentioned, the project is 90% complete. We are looking for an investor... or investors, to raise enough money to finish the Quinta and open a Five star Carehome/retirement village with medical centre, restaurant and more. Everything is in place. We have the builders, the backing of the local council, a company waiting to run the care aspect of the project as well as medical professionals. You will find more financial information in the column on the right. If you, or if you know of anyone who may be interested in helping me see this project through to completion, or can help in any way at all, please email: info@eastalgarvemag.com, or call me on 961 700 200. Richard Bassett
www.eastalgarvemag.com
