So I am moving to Sertã next May and have been super excited about it. Practically vibrating with the energy. Though I am worried about how the Vila will see me. I'm worried that with the influx, that I might make people uncomfortable, so I have a few questions on how to make sure I don't do that or offend anyone.
I am learning European Portuguese, made sure it was the correct book, so I can communicate and not stay in the expat bubble. I really want to make friends and speak to the locals, asking questions and learning about their beautiful land. I am horrible at new language and I know I will butcher it. Will that matter? I will study really hard, but I have no one to practice with, so I know I'm going to mess up a lot while speaking.
I will be going over after my divorce with my two older kids. They will be doing online schooling because they won't be fluent, but I worry the kids won't make friends easily. Is there a program where they could do sports or electives at the school to make friends?
I am also moving into an apartment, because my injuries after a car accident make it impossible for me to take care of a house by myself. Since I will have neighbors, is it alright to share food? I'm used to cooking for 6+ people at a time, so it will take me a while to learn to cook for just 3 and I hate wasting food.
I also will be looking into the dating scene when I get there. I'm a bit old fashioned, I'm 35 years old and like to take things slow, especially since I have kids. I did do a little research, seeing that the men between the 38-45 years I'm looking for have the same older fashioned views that I do. How does the dating work? Would it be harder for me because I'm an expat?
I also have hearing aids and post-concussive syndrome, so sometimes I might not hear someone if they speak from me from behind or even if to the side. I'm worried I might seem rude if I don't answer. I do have these bright pink twists on the wire so that people might see them. I'll definitely point at them and apologize, saying I can't hear well. Would that work? It's a bit of a weird injury. My auditory system was damaged in a car crash, so I have sound sensitivity to anything above a normal conversation. Then I actually have some hearing loss from the accident, which makes hearing speech hard. So I'm worried that I't will just be confusing because if people talk too loud, it hurts and then if they talk too quiet, I cant hear them unless I read their lips.
I'm so sorry that I'm writing so much, just really want to get a few things from people who have experienced it and not just from Google.
Thank you so much and I appreciate any answers and advice.