Introducing me, myself and my small secret...

Hi Steemians!

Don’t know exactly how to start. My name is João and I’m a 31 years old portuguese guy. I like traveling, sports and food. I have a terrible secret to tell you: I still live with my parents. There, I said it!

Me at Balinghai beach, Philippines

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve already lived by myself, I even lived for a short period of time in Shanghai, China. I’ve been working in Lisbon (Portugal) as a dentist for 7 years now and this is not a problem with money. Let me try to explain...

After living by myself for a few years I decided to move to another apartment. I end up temporarily moving back to my parent’s home. This was suppose to be for 2 or 3 months, just til I get a new apartment to live but out of nothing... BOOM! Real estate crisis all over Europe! Not the one that nobody has money to buy a house, but this new crisis where every single apartment in an european capital is worth thousands more than what it should.

Me and my friends with Lisbon as a background

A 15 m2 apartment to rent for 700€ a month, another one smaller than the corridor from my parent’s home to buy for 325 thousand euros! It’s not that I don’t have the money to afford it, I can’t complaint. My sallary is above average and I have a perfectly stable job. The only problem is that I am not a fool. I could be one, just don’t want to.

Before getting here I’ve tried everything. I’ve sold mysfelf better than any job interview that I’ve been too, I’ve written letters of intent better than my love letters for my first girlfriends. I’ve paid lunches to “future landlords” in a shameless atempt to lower the rent. I’ve even ask my parents to kindly leave, “move on with your life, your kids are raised, we’ll take care of the apartment for you”.

Me, my brother and my parents at my brother's 26 birthday

I’ve searched through the streets of Lisbon for an apartment just following the lead of a picture on an advertisement, so I could get the direct contact of a landlord and avoid the real estate fees. I’ve done it all!

Capture from Airbnb website, Lisbon area

I’ve done it all but I guess few believe me. I just wanted to get this out of the way. Maybe I’m not alone in this fight, maybe some will stop renting and buying at this ridiculous prices. What do I have to lose by writing to you? Time? I’ve got plenty of it. I don’t do my laundry, there’s always food in the refrigerator and most the time I don’t make my bed. Housekeeper you say? No. I’m 31 and I still live with my parents!

Thanks for reading @jpfmartins looking forward to be a part of the steemit community!