BALTIMORE, Aug. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- "Although compact in size, Portugal offers something for almost every budget," says Terry Coles, International Living Portugal Correspondent. "With such diversity among its expat population, there are those who relocate from expensive areas of North America like New York City, Los Angeles, or Montreal, and others who migrate from simple, small-town life."
Expats will find value for their dollars are every price point.
"In general, a couple can live comfortably in most areas of Portugal on a monthly budget of $2,300, depending on their lifestyle," says Coles. "Larger cities like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve require a bit more while small towns require less."
The new report from the editors at InternationalLiving.com looks at three possible locations in Portugal, which offer options for living on a modest, medium, or bigger budget.
Castelo Branco From $1,615 a Month—Modest-Budget Pick
Not far from the Spanish border sits the mid-sized city of Castelo Branco with the municipality of the same name. The city center is composed of a bustling square dotted with shops, restaurants, and clinics. Nearby tree-lined boulevards lead to a modern shopping center, public hospital, silk museum, and baroque garden. The Beira Baixa train line runs from Castelo Branco to Lisbon, in about three hours or into the Serra do Estrela mountains, along with other locations across the country.
While there are some expats in the Castelo Branco area, English is not widely spoken here, and knowing some Portuguese would be essential. This is a place to settle if you want total immersion in the Portuguese lifestyle, which can be rewarding and affordable.
Winters in this area are cold and rainy with temperatures ranging from 50 F during the day and dipping to 39 F at night. Summer temperatures are not too warm averaging around 75 F.
The cost of living is low here and a couple could live comfortably on as little as $1,615 a month, depending on one's lifestyle.
Caldas da Rainha From $2,050 a Month—Medium-Budget Pick
Caldas da Rainha is a city where a couple can live comfortably on a medium budget, with a larger expat population.
The city is located one hour north of Lisbon on the beautiful Silver Coast. The cobbled town center is packed with shops, restaurants, a bus station, and a daily produce market. The beach towns of Foz do Arelho and Nadadoro are just a 10-minute drive from the city center and come alive during the summer.
Famous for its Thermal Hospital, Caldas, as it's called, has various medical and dental clinics along with a public and private hospital. English is widely spoken among the younger generation.
The rural areas that surround the city are blanketed with fertile farmland, orchards, and rolling hills. There's a throw-back vibe with tractors bobbing in the fields and farmwives wearing old-fashioned aprons. Life is slow and relaxed here.
This is a wet area with mornings often covered in a sea mist that typically goes away by mid-day. Summer temperatures rarely get too warm, hovering around 70 F while winters can be rainy and cold.
The cost of living here is reasonable and many who work in high-priced Lisbon actually live in Caldas or have weekend homes in the area. Renting a two-bedroom, furnished apartment in the Caldas city center, a couple could live well on a budget of $2,050 a month.
Vilamoura From $4,615 a month—Bigger-Budget Pick
The southern tip of Portugal, known as the Algarve, is lined with golden sandy beaches. Turquoise waters wash up on a long coast punctuated by caves, grottoes, and jagged rock formations.
Boasting some of the warmest weather in all of Europe, the area is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine, hot, dry summers, and mild winters with little rain. British expats have long settled here—and that has ensured that English is widely spoken.
Known as the Golden Triangle of Portugal, the towns of Almancil and Vilamoura along with the gated communities of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, offer luxury living. Apartment prices start at around $300,000 and stand-alone homes can soar into the multi-millions. Still, when compared to other beach locales, the Algarve represents excellent value—expats report real bang for their buck.
On a budget of $4,615 a month, a couple could live a higher-end lifestyle renting a three-bedroom duplex with a pool.
However, keep in mind that—even in the Algarve—there are plenty of lower-cost options, and many expats live there on far less. "Our budget is around $3,000 a month, which includes renting a two-bedroom condo in a gated complex with a pool for $1,000 a month," reports Terry Coles, International Living Portugal Correspondent, who is based in the Algarve.
The full report —with detailed budgets—can be found, here: The Best Places to Live in Portugal From $1,600 a Month
Editor's Note: Members of the media have permission to republish the article linked above once credit is given to Internationalliving.com.
Further information, as well as interviews with expert authors for radio, TV, or print, is available on request. Photos are also available.
For information about InternationalLiving.com content republishing, source material or to book an interview with one of our experts, contact PR Managing Editor, Marita Kelly, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly@internationalliving.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/internationalliving/
Twitter: @inliving
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/International.Living/
About International Living
Since 1979, Internationaliving.com has been the leading authority for anyone looking for global retirement or relocation opportunities. Through its monthly magazine and related e-letters, extensive website, podcasts, online bookstore, and events held around the world, InternationalLiving.com provides information and services to help its readers live better, travel farther, have more fun, save more money, and find better business opportunities when they expand their world beyond their own shores. InternationalLiving.com has more than 200 correspondents traveling the globe, investigating the best opportunities for travel, retirement, real estate, and investment.
Media Contact
Marita Kelly, www.internationalliving.com, +001 667 312 3532, mkelly@internationalliving.com
SOURCE InternationalLiving.com
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Trade confidently with insights and alerts from analyst ratings, free reports and breaking news that affects the stocks you care about.
