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I see. I have tried living there, back in 2009 ( only lasted for 5 months, until I ran out of money ( in the previous financial crisis ).

I also spent half a year, 2016/17, on the smallest of the Canary Islands ( El Hierro ) but eventually settled on/in Portugal, early 2018. The Dutch climate ( literally and figuratively ) was ruining my mental and physical health.

I have a friend from the past I met up with briefly last year. He has an apartment in the Azores and offered my wife and I free access when he’s not there, as long as we keep the place clean and collect his mail. I hope it pans out.
Talk about bad climate. I live in a lake effect snow/rain belt, where the clouds block the sun 203 days a year.
I’m glad you got out!