Cheapest cities in Portugal

Bhavna

Team

Member since 01 June 2015

Quatre Bornes, Plaines Wilhems

Bhavna

03 April 2019 11:46:05

38606

Bhavna

03 April 2019 11:46:05

38606

Quatre Bornes, Plaines Wilhems

Hello everyone,

Budget is an important consideration when moving to Portugal. Ideally, expats would settle down in a city in Portugal where the cost of living is low but where they could also enjoy a decent quality of life. Would you be able to give a few tips to someone planning a move to Portugal by answering the questions below?

What are the cheapest cities in Portugal?

Why are they cheap? What singles them out as a city where the cost of living is low?

What is the average budget for one person living in these cities?

Is it easy to find a job as an expat in these cities? What is the overall quality of life like?

Are they expat friendly? Would you recommend these cities to someone looking to settle in Portugal?

Please share your experience,

Bhavna

Nency1033

New member

Member since 10 March 2019

Nency1033

18 June 2019 23:45:08

Nency1033

18 June 2019 23:45:08

I am at the beginning of researching a place to relocate internationally. I have chosen Portugal. I no longer work and currently live on a barrier island off the panhandle of Florida USA.
Reasons:
1. I want to live in a different culture, my husband ask for a divorce very abruptly several years ago and I moved to the barrier island. Beautiful place to live. However the people of the FL Panhandle are very conservative, very poorly educated and are real Trump supporters. I cannot make this my home.
2. Have lived all over the US and am ready to try life in Portugal.
3. Cost of living appears to be low.
4. Portugal seems to welcome expats
5. Lot of British retirees. Less of language barrier.
Am going to use Babel to learn Portuguese.
Have a translating device to help
6. Want to get a room for a month to check things out before making a
decision to move. Could anyone give me any info in helping me
in this daunting endeavor.
7. I am 64 yrs, I worked as a CPA, and have a Masters in Tax Law. I no
longer care to work. I Am interested in volunteering.

Thanks.
Shannon

Yad Dhillon

Member

Member since 17 June 2019

Charlottetown, Prince Edward I

Yad Dhillon

19 June 2019 03:10:13

Yad Dhillon

19 June 2019 03:10:13

Charlottetown, Prince Edward I

Nice to hear, i am thinking that way, if you get information share with me at ***
Thanks

Moderated by Priscilla 5 years ago
Reason : do not post your personal contact details on the forum please, thank you

Nency1033

New member

Member since 10 March 2019

Nency1033

21 October 2019 19:01:58

Nency1033

21 October 2019 19:01:58

Sorry. I was not aware.
Thanks. Shannon

GuestPoster562

22 October 2019 14:27:07

GuestPoster562

22 October 2019 14:27:07

Hi Shannon,

I like your questions and strategy to move to Portugal.

My husband and I are from Washington DC. We are staying in Lisbon. We don't speak Portuguese yet, we don't have any issues getting around. Portuguese people are so nice and accommodated. A furnished One-bedroom rent is between 700 - 1300 euros. Some apartments do include electricity. Some American expats live in Cascais (30 minutes outside of Lisbon), I think the apartments in that area are cheaper.

Some of my friends found a room or apartment for rent on Facebook. I recommend visiting Portugal in September through November so you can check out other cities to determine a city that fits you.

Your experience and credential will be helpful/beneficial to expats and locals.

Sue Bowman

cdelong

Member

Member since 07 November 2019

cdelong

07 November 2019 00:36:08

cdelong

07 November 2019 00:36:08

Hi -we are thinking of retiring in 2020 to Portugal. Probably Algarve.

Can you share any information you have gotten with me? Are you living there now?

We are planning to go there for the last two weeks in Feb 2020.

Thanx for any info you can share

Carol

nyyfan30

Active member

Member since 25 April 2017

Lisbon, Lisbon District

nyyfan30

26 March 2020 13:22:58

nyyfan30

26 March 2020 13:22:58

Lisbon, Lisbon District

Shannon,

I saw your post, and am wondering if you have moved to Lisbon yet, or still contemplating? My wife and I are in a somewhat similar situation.

We are not ready to retire yet, but within 2 years I hope. We will both be about 50 at that time, but will not be working in Lisbon. We will want to volunteer, walk dogs for people, etc. Just a few things to keep busy.

We LOVE Lisbon and have been several times. So, we are set on the city. We like many different areas, although we are focussing more on city center rather than going more up north, despite better prices up there, and more space. That is our dilemma.

Curious where you are in the process? since you will NOT be working, you will be in a similar situation in that you will not need a work visa. have you started the resident visa process yet, or are you still thinking about all of this? What have you decided to do about your healthcare? will you go all public, or pay for a private option (which sounds far more efficient, but not sure about cost)?

would you mind if we exchanged a few emails back and forth so I can ask some follow up questions re. your experience? I got an email for a fully renovated apartment in Graca (this wasn't our preferred location due to it not being near the metro, and not much green space which we want for our dogs), and it seemed VERY cheap for the size -- 270,00€ for 1300 sq feet for a 2BR/1BA. As a result, I MAY consider buying it now and renting it out until we are ready to move...and then deciding if we live there or somewhere else. If that price is as competitive as I think it is, it might be worth buying it.

Oh, we live in Tampa, and yes, I have to get away from the Trump folks. Much worse for you in the panhandle, but still, FL is full off too many MAGA folks for us!

Thank you VERY much,

Jeff

Find more topics on the Portugal forum

Articles to help you in your expat project in Portugal