Desmond M. Says:
I’m 73, still working, but plan to retire at the end of this year. I’d like to move to Portugal, close to the coast. But there is so much coast I don’t know where to begin. Where should I visit first?
IL Personal Finance Expert and Portugal Resident Jeff Opdyke Says:
Hi Desmond,
The main thing for you as a potential expat is to experience the differences in pace, amenities, temperature, humidity, and other factors of various places here in Portugal to find the one that’s right for you.
Cascais, where I live, is a highly popular beach town about an hour west of Lisbon. It’s very popular with Americans, and perhaps the kind of place you’d like to visit if you want a strong expat community to connect with.
Given the ambiance, the near-constant sunshine, and mild temperatures (60s F at night, mid-70s F and breezy during the day), I totally get why so many Americans—particularly Californians—have replanted themselves in coastal Iberia. Having lived in both Laguna Beach and Long Beach, California, I understand the magnetic draw Cali natives feel here.
Nearby, the Setúbal area south of Lisbon is an up-and-coming place for expats. It’s got nice beaches and lots of gentrification going on.
But perhaps you might prefer somewhere farther north, like Porto or Braga—where the climate is cooler and the landscape greener. This region reminds me of Seattle or Puget Sound in terms of weather.
The Silver Coast, just north of Cascais, but not so far as Porto or Braga, is also very pretty and can be quite affordable. If golf is your jam, you’ll also find more courses to your liking around there. International real estate expert and founders of Real Estate Trend Alert, Ronan McMahon, who is a big golfer, owns at least one condo in this part of Portugal.
Then there’s the Algarve, where the beaches are packed with sun-worshippers. It has some of the best weather in all of Europe with over 300 days of sunshine, hot dry summers, and mild winters. Summer temperatures average around 87 F, in the fall they dip down to mid to low 60s F, and winter brings some rain with temperatures hovering around 59 F.
In the west, near Lagos Atlantic winds buffet towering cliffs and generally keep the air four or five degrees cooler than in the east, near Tavira.
So you can see, there’s a lot to choose from.
It all comes down to your personal preference.
Thankfully, IL has a handy, pre-made scouting trip itinerary for Portugal.
It’s designed so you pick the amount of time you want to spend in the country, from one week to four weeks, then follow the painstakingly designed route to get a feel for all facets of this marvelous country.
Obviously, the longer you spend here the better you’ll get to know it. The one-week plan will give you a brief introduction, while the four-week plan will make you intimate friends with Portugal.
You can find these pre-planned itineraries right here.
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