Aaron B. Says:
Could you give me some advice on finding a long-term rental in Lisbon?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Aaron,
First, settle on the right district for you.
If you want to live within walking distance of the city center and Lisbon’s vibrant nightlife, the hilly parish of São Vicente, full of tiled houses, is a good choice. The main street has a charming collection of local butcher shops, cafés, and fishmongers, as well as a couple of supermarkets.
Figure on rent of around €800 to €1,200 ($872 to $1,308) a month for a one-bedroom (T1) or two-bedroom (T2) apartment.
Campo de Ourique, a tram or short walk and metro ride from the center, is ideal if you want to immerse yourself in authentic Lisbon, surrounded by local Portuguese.
With a decent selection of coffee shops, a park, and marketplace, it’s gentrifying rapidly. Rents here are a bit steeper, running about €900 to €1,400 ($981 to $1,526).
If you just love the beach, then Cascais, about 20 minutes by car or 40 minutes by train from Lisbon city center, is perfect. It boasts an enviable range of boutiques, cafés, and restaurants.
As you’d expect, it does come at a higher price point. Apartments rent for around €1,000 to €2,500 ($1,090 to $2,726) a month.
Good websites to search for rentals include Casa.sapo.pt, Imovirtual.com, Era.pt (these three have English options), Idealista.pt, and Olx.pt.
You likely won’t get a response to online queries, so if there’s a cellphone number in the ad, send a text message in English and include the listing ID (Id do anúncio). If the ad only provides a landline, just being able to say “Fala inglês?” (Do you speak English?), will usually get you past the receptionist and talking with an agent.
Some people prefer to find properties through word of mouth, but this informal method usually comes with equally informal agreements. Rental laws will protect you if you don’t have a signed contract, but it’ll be harder to sort out any problems. That’s why it’s better to go through an agent.
You should also check out this article from your IL magazine: Seven Tips to Find Your Perfect Rental Property in Lisbon.
Best of luck with your search!
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