FAQ

I get this question very often.
Sometimes with the wildest questions attached to it (my favorite: “How is the cloud cover compared to Denmark? I don’t like clouds!”). And frankly: I cannot answer this question for you. (We do have clouds though…)

Moving to the Azores is not for the weak. We are in the middle of the Atlantic, on very small islands, and while it looks like paradise on social media, and feels like it on summer holidays, living here year round is a very different experience.
Each island is also very unique. Living on São Miguel is entirely different to living on Pico, let alone the even more remote islands of Flores, Corvo or Graciosa. I try to portrait my life on Pico authentically, with the good and bad sides, but some people would disagree with me in regards to what I appreciate and dislike. It totally depends on your intentions, personality, financial situation and expectations.

Here are some very quick insights (far from complete, and – again – my POV, highly influenced by my lived experience and the island of Pico specifically):
The nature here is stunning, and the peace and beauty unmatched, but life here can be harsh and tough. Communities are small and deeply interwoven. While they are mostly friendly to foreigners, it is hard to ever truly belong. Many daily conveniences are more difficult here (like receiving your mail for example). The winters are intense. Mold haunts you everywhere due to the high humidity year-round.
The health care is (officially) free but not always good (I have buried too many loved ones and have had too many horrifying personal experiences to argue about this. If you disagree, good for you, leave me alone).
If you want citizenship or to be taken seriously by the locals, you will need to learn Portuguese – and also be humble. Arrogance and entitlement don’t get you anywhere here. Personal connections and reputation are really important on the Azores, so this is relevant.
You better have a plan to bring or earn money, since the job market is hard and underpaid as hell. As a foreigner, your only true option is tourism (= a summer of crazy hustling, a winter of being unemployed). Or being rich / with a well-paid remote job.
If you love music, geology and the ocean, you will find plenty of it everywhere you go. If you love public transport, big theater shows and trying out cool new vegan restaurants, the Azores are not for you. If you love cows, there is more than you can count. You will also need nerves of steel sometimes, with a lot of patience.
The Catholic Faith is very strong here. While those christian and more “traditional” ideals are very present within local families and the extreme-right political party Chega has quite a lot of followers here, the vibe is generally very open-minded. If you happen to fall in love with an islander (no matter the gender), make sure your expectations and priorities truly align before getting serious. Family stands above everything else on the archipelago.
I cannot speak on the topics of racism and homophobia as I am a white European woman who is being perceived as straight. People from all ethnicities live here and openly queer people are generally accepted, but I cannot speak for them and their lived experiences.

In the end, my recommendation is: Come and visit as many islands for as much time as you can, during different seasons, before you make a choice.
In the end, this is YOUR LIFE. You know what is best for you. Nobody can answer this question for you. While it is the right choice for some – like me – it does not mean it is for you. Do not be fooled by social media – always form your own opinion. Walk your own path.