A hope for happiness in Porto (BBC video):
http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20141 ... s-in-porto
A hope for happiness in Porto
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
Re: A hope for happiness in Porto
Hold the eulogy! ![[shok.gif]](./images/smilies/shok.gif "RUkidding?")
Porto is still alive and kicking, regardless of the spirit depicted in the video.
While I won't refute the stats quoted in this video, there is no denying the analogy mentioned about a "tale of two cities" but I could say that about most major American cities as well. NYC, LA, DC, Chicago, Seattle, San Fran, Miami, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Denver etc., all of them have some downtrodden areas, some even with places where it is not so safe to walk around in the day ... and downright dangerous by night. Then again, after years of walking through a great many streets in the day and night, around Porto ... I've yet to see anything that I would call a "slum" akin to what can be found in most of the aforementioned US cities.
Porto may have been worsened since the recent financial crisis, in terms of joblessness and abandoned buildings, but while that may slightly mar the whole; the overwhelmingly incredible spirit of the inhabitants is infectious and with hope. Maybe a bit of sadness in that hope, "saudade" but it remains positive, nonetheless.
The friendliness of Porto is undeniable and truth be told, it is still a very safe city compared to most it's size. While I don't want to go as far as to say that this video was like watching an episode of "Debbie Downer" it certainly took a very different angle than most. That is ok, because the brighter complexion of Porto shines brightly day or night for the typical tourist. The commentator did mention that "tourism was up 15% last year" but I bet it is nearly up 50% in the past 5 years. At least it feels like it is!
If that is counterbalanced by the fact that Porto has lost 20% of its residents in the past decade (mentioned at the onset of the video), I can also say that I've met a LOT of people from other parts of Europe that have moved to Porto in the past five years in hopes of finding a new job opportunity. While I don't know think I'd rush there for job ops if I was freshly out of university, I don't know that there are that many places in Europe beyond the UK and Germany where things are all that rosy for the 20-30 somethings, economically speaking.
The streets are now bustling both day and night, in a city where nightlife was considered going to a friend or relative's home for dinner in past years. Not any more. Finding a nice quiet hotel room where the "party in the streets" can be very loud, long and late ... not just on weekends either; has become something that one considers nowadays. Late night clubs once few and far between are now spread all over the downtown area.
In the past three to five years, the number of places for tourists to stay in both Porto (and Gaia): renovated guest apartments, the inroads of AirBNB, as well as the influx of new 3*/4*/5* hotels -- has grown exponentially. Sure I am biased. No denying that! But while the video paints a fairly dreary if not that of a dismal and dying city of Porto, while those things shown do exist ... the counterbalance far outweighs that negative feeling for visitors and those born and raised in Porto.
Lastly, for every abandoned dwelling in the city, there are also many that ARE being renovated and flipped, by those that can see past today's economic situation in Portugal (not just Porto!). In fact, there are people in the real estate market in Porto that feel that it is a very good time to buy, especially if you want value for money and are willing to invest to do some improvements. I have a close friend who along with his wife, recently bought a four floor building and renovated it and will rent it to tourists this year. Another who makes a living renting extra bedrooms in their own apartment which was fixed up when they moved in for exactly that purpose. The individual has a PhD and makes more money renting out rooms than their very solid day job.
Yes, a tale of two cities indeed. It is up to you to see Porto with rose colored glasses, or otherwise. I won't change your mind either way.![[shrug.gif]](./images/smilies/shrug.gif "Huh?")
But there are other videos that show a much more vibrant Porto, and that is the city that comes to mind whenever I am missing it ... which is often.
Porto is still alive and kicking, regardless of the spirit depicted in the video.
While I won't refute the stats quoted in this video, there is no denying the analogy mentioned about a "tale of two cities" but I could say that about most major American cities as well. NYC, LA, DC, Chicago, Seattle, San Fran, Miami, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Denver etc., all of them have some downtrodden areas, some even with places where it is not so safe to walk around in the day ... and downright dangerous by night. Then again, after years of walking through a great many streets in the day and night, around Porto ... I've yet to see anything that I would call a "slum" akin to what can be found in most of the aforementioned US cities.
Porto may have been worsened since the recent financial crisis, in terms of joblessness and abandoned buildings, but while that may slightly mar the whole; the overwhelmingly incredible spirit of the inhabitants is infectious and with hope. Maybe a bit of sadness in that hope, "saudade" but it remains positive, nonetheless.
The friendliness of Porto is undeniable and truth be told, it is still a very safe city compared to most it's size. While I don't want to go as far as to say that this video was like watching an episode of "Debbie Downer" it certainly took a very different angle than most. That is ok, because the brighter complexion of Porto shines brightly day or night for the typical tourist. The commentator did mention that "tourism was up 15% last year" but I bet it is nearly up 50% in the past 5 years. At least it feels like it is!
If that is counterbalanced by the fact that Porto has lost 20% of its residents in the past decade (mentioned at the onset of the video), I can also say that I've met a LOT of people from other parts of Europe that have moved to Porto in the past five years in hopes of finding a new job opportunity. While I don't know think I'd rush there for job ops if I was freshly out of university, I don't know that there are that many places in Europe beyond the UK and Germany where things are all that rosy for the 20-30 somethings, economically speaking.
The streets are now bustling both day and night, in a city where nightlife was considered going to a friend or relative's home for dinner in past years. Not any more. Finding a nice quiet hotel room where the "party in the streets" can be very loud, long and late ... not just on weekends either; has become something that one considers nowadays. Late night clubs once few and far between are now spread all over the downtown area.
In the past three to five years, the number of places for tourists to stay in both Porto (and Gaia): renovated guest apartments, the inroads of AirBNB, as well as the influx of new 3*/4*/5* hotels -- has grown exponentially. Sure I am biased. No denying that! But while the video paints a fairly dreary if not that of a dismal and dying city of Porto, while those things shown do exist ... the counterbalance far outweighs that negative feeling for visitors and those born and raised in Porto.
Lastly, for every abandoned dwelling in the city, there are also many that ARE being renovated and flipped, by those that can see past today's economic situation in Portugal (not just Porto!). In fact, there are people in the real estate market in Porto that feel that it is a very good time to buy, especially if you want value for money and are willing to invest to do some improvements. I have a close friend who along with his wife, recently bought a four floor building and renovated it and will rent it to tourists this year. Another who makes a living renting extra bedrooms in their own apartment which was fixed up when they moved in for exactly that purpose. The individual has a PhD and makes more money renting out rooms than their very solid day job.
Yes, a tale of two cities indeed. It is up to you to see Porto with rose colored glasses, or otherwise. I won't change your mind either way.
But there are other videos that show a much more vibrant Porto, and that is the city that comes to mind whenever I am missing it ... which is often.Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Re: A hope for happiness in Porto
Excactly, that's why i posted it in the first place. Porto has showed me its beautiful, friendly and rich of culture side with my every (three) visit. This video simply looked different, not that i agree with everything in it. I've got very good local friends in southern Portugal for 12 years now and the economy crisis has hit them really hard but they have certainly never given up. Because the only way is up!Roy Hersh wrote:
While I don't want to go as far as to say that this video was like watching an episode of "Debbie Downer" it certainly took a very different angle than most. That is ok, because the brighter complexion of Porto shines brightly day or night for the typical tourist.
Re: A hope for happiness in Porto
I hope that Portugal is able to pull through this economic drought and see tourism and other parts of their industrial complex start to really rebound. I get 3-4 requests every day from strangers who are heading to Portugal and are seeking advice on where to go and what to do. Amazing how many people are heading there for the very first time.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com