Hi @ludaj62, Welcome.
Forget USD. You have to convert them to euros. Such a monthly budget is possible, as long as you don't opt for expensive places or those frequented by expats or most touristic. Rental prices in the main cities are very inflated, for various reasons, including demand exceeding supply.
1. Yes, it is possible to have such a budget. The further you move away from the main cities and the coast /ocean, beaches etc, the cheaper accommodation becomes. Some of the regions you mention are in fact the cheapest, especially inland Alentejo, Trás-os-Montes, Guarda and Castelo Branco. English is easily understood, but in more isolated places and in the countryside, you may find it difficult to be understood. You can find English-speaking expats anywhere in the country. But more in some places than in others. They are more concentrated in the main cities, the center coastline / silver coast and the Algarve.
Check idealista website to have an idea about rental prices.
Real State Agencies/Websites/Portals in Portugal
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=904388
Real Estate Website Portals, post #4
/forum/viewtopic.p … 93#5069701
Some remarks on Rental/Lease Agreement/Contract
/forum/viewtopic.p … 93#5075332
(Posts #9 ... #12)
2. You have some support here. It all depends on your lifestyle.
You can choose a city and compare 2 cities.
3. The D7 visa is ideal for you, your budget is just above the minimum required. You don't need a lawyer, you can do everything by yourself. Here are some testimonials.
D7 Minimum Resources (2025)
/en/forum/europe/p … ml#5973389
(Post #74)
Experience sharing about Visas to Portugal (D7 & others)
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=971460
D7 visa - more details here:
/forum/viewtopic.p … 42#5077438
(Posts #7, #8, ... #14, ...)
4. In the main cities there are neighbourhoods to avoid, but in the rest of the country, the climate is calm and safe. You have to be careful with humidity and heating. If you opt for very cheap rents, you may have these problems. Before renting, keep these items in mind, such as sun exposure, etc.
Community groups
How to build a social circle from scratch in Portugal
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=909130
Some meetup groups
/forum/viewtopic.p … 30#4966994
(Post #2)
Facebook groups
/forum/viewtopic.p … 30#5505120
(Post #17)
5. In general, most families have pets. If your dog doesn't cause any problems, landlords generally don't raise any issues.
Having pets in Portugal
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=917045
6. Yes, it's possible. But having private health insurance is highly recommended, as the NHS has seen better days... You have some support here too.
Access to the National Health System:
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=902977
Private Healthcare System in Portugal
/forum/viewtopic.php?id=914196
Regards
