Where is a great place to live for night life, rent a two-bed, close to the water and close to the city center?

Portugal is a big country, which "city" are you talking about? Do you mean the Algarve region or Lisbon area?

Algarve region - Albufeira
Lisbon region - Estoril/Cascais

What's your nationality? If you aren't an EU citizen, you will require a visa to live in Portugal, which may not be easily granted depending on your circumstances.

Lobo - not Lisbon proper? What about the Parque das Nacaos area? (Although it did look a bit run down when I was there in December.)

<<Portugal is a big country>>

Compared to what, Liechtenstein?

Better yet: looking to live in Europe requires an ability to do so - visa, job, proof of financial means (if you're not an EU citizen). Squatters not welcome.

According to wikipedia Portugal ranks 111th out of 249 countries in area. It is bigger than, for instance, Austria, the Czech Republic or the Republic of Ireland. Not to mention Switzerland. It is 83rd in population.

Oh, and Liechtenstein is 219th, so a very poor comparison.

Thursdaysd, it depends on which "water" the OP is referring to. Lisbon (Parque das Nações) is more city centered, but the access to aquatic sports is limited. Cascais is one train ride from Lisbon, but with a better access to surfing (Guincho beach, Ericeira) and nigh life (Estoril casino). Difficult choice, without more insight on Jason's motivations is difficult to elaborate much more.

1. I'm retired and only 41 I have looked into getting a visa and meet all requirements as a non-EU. Financial stability and all of the other cool things that are required for a visa (I do have some basic questions about visa's, and non-US money....best ways to go about a visa and best way to take my US dollars and convert them)
2. I have been to Europe before, but didn't find the coldness of Germany to my liking. I currently live in Phoenix, AZ with my son and as he gets older, I want to find more time for myself, around the water, but not on it. I like the city life and love the idea of Europe, especially in an area that has a good pub, lots of character, and plenty of night life (I am retired and still young
3. I want to rent a two bed. My current payment on my house I own is around $1,300 US, so below that would be great, considering I want to have fun and not live to pay a rent payment.
4. I picked Portugal as I hear that more people speak English then most European countries (I am learning Portuguese, but we all know that until you practice it daily, its hard!), and my son plans to go to college overseas, so a bigger city is terrific in that he can go to school and I can finally go have a life

Concerns:

1. Safe place to live where its also economical to live there.
2. Walking or public transportation is a must. I hate driving and only want to on trips.
3. I was in the military so I really don't have an idea on true expats, just the negative stuff. I would like to live in an area where locals are a majority, expats that aren't my parents age (60's), and not a bunch of kids. I love kids, and I love old people, but I have raised a kid by myself since diapers, and old people go to bed too early.

lol I hope this helps to clarify things. Just to get started in a fresh direction.

Being 41 and retired don't go together. You are simply non-working, living perhaps on savings and military pension? This will complicate things for getting your visa, without which any dream of living in Europe will be out of the question, as an American you can only stay in the whole of Schengen for 90-in-180 days. They won't give you retirement visa as they suspect you will try to work illegally. I suppose if you are very rich, with disposable income in millions, they may give you a long-stay visa in exchange for a serious investment in their economy (like buying a million dollar villa), but otherwise your only hope is marrying an EU citizen or some kind of work visa. The latter will be very difficult, as Portugal like many other European countries have serious unemployment and don't want foreigners taking jobs from locals, just as Europeans face serious problems trying to work in US.

I assure you that I am really retired. Like full time retired. Like don't work at all retired. Like financially stable retired. Like not a millionaire, but with retirement income that is permanent, with paperwork, no less, retired! Topic is: Where is a great place to live for night life, rent a two-bed, close to the water and close to the city center? I would like to discuss the topic, if that's ok?

Can I suggest you go and spend your 90 days visa free in Portugal. Spend time in different parts of it. Go now, in winter and see if you really like it enough to up sticks and move there permanently.
Make sure you have healthcare insurance.
While there you can look at places to live, find out about schools, healthcare, taxes etc.
Remember that as a US citizens you will still pay tax in the U.S..

Even if you are fully retired, and have sufficient income, at your age few countries will issue you with a long-stay visa, least of all Portugal. They already have a large number of other EU citizens who don't require a visa. So without being able to get a visa, your plan is a non-starter.

Actually, as long as OP is not planning on working, I think Portugal is one of those countries which does offer longer term residence visas to foreigners with money. What I would be cautious about, though, is your son's status. I suspect he might not be able to move with you; if he's going to study he should be able to get a student visa but may not have the right to work later on - you'll need to to check that out.

You would probably get more effective advice from an expat forum than a travel one.

Another thing you'll need to consider is tax: http://www.expatforum.com/portugal/e...this-year.html

>><i>I assure you that I am really retired. Like full time retired. Like don't work at all retired. Like financially stable retired. Like not a millionaire, but with retirement income that is permanent, with paperwork, no less, retired! </i><<

We get it.

But you need to read (and absorb) alec's two posts. They are not likely to issue you a long stay visa based on being retired @ 41.

Plan on going for 3 months because that is how long you'll be able to stay.

>><i>I think Portugal is one of those countries which does offer longer term residence visas to foreigners with money.</i><<

Read the OP's 2nd post. Retired but not wealthy. The chance of getting a long stay visa -- slim in the extreme.

Guessing your son is young-ish age? You expect him to move with you now? Or do you expect him to graduate from US high school and then move in with you and go to university? Is he learning Portugese too? Do you legal right to take him?

I know, Iknow, "what city" is all you want to know but....

Lisboa is a wonderful city. And meets the requirements you mention.

The poster may know better than anyone here.

But the only kind of visa I can find Portugal offering non-EU citizens, apart from the normal short-term permission to stay for holidays or business, is an investment visa.

This requires a minimum investment of €500,000, OR €1,000,000 in cash OR a real business plan to hire ten people in a bona fide business.

It's immaterial whether a foreigner intends working or not - just as it's immaterial whether a foreigner wants to work in the US.

Rich countries, by and large, just don't want non-productive immigrants unless they're dependants of current residents or have real evidence of persecution at home.

There are exceptions for students and for people filling job vacancies that can't be filled by a European. And there ARE countries offering retirement visas for some foreigners. I can't find any evidence Portugal is one of them.

We may all be ill-advised: immigration law often changes. But JasonDClark really ought to find some convincing evidence we are wring before he wastes any time, energy or money investigating how he likes Portugal. Right now it really does look as if Portugal simply doesn't want him on his current plans.

Right. The OP might do better to look at Central or South America. Or, I believe Malaysia has a good deal for retirees.