Portugal Living Guide

The Portuguese archipelago of Madeira has two inhabited islands – Porto Santo and Madeira Island.  - and if you like the thought of living in Portugal but hate the thought of living in the Algarve, one alternative is moving to Madeira.

If you want long sandy beaches you should choose Porto Santo, but if you want the most stunning landscapes and a slightly easier transition abroad you may well favour Madeira Island and living in or near the capital city of Funchal where English is widely spoken or at least understood, and where you will find the highest concentration of expats.

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There was recently a very interesting programme on TV about a couple who were retiring abroad to Portugal – the programme was actually focused on them downsizing and selling off their personal effects and the money they could raise through so doing – but what was most interesting was the fact that the couple made the decision to retire abroad to avoid getting bored!

They made the plan ten years prior to retirement to give themselves time to find land, build a property, plan and save – and by the time the programme was made about them, they had achieved their dream.  Well, if your dream is one day enjoying your retirement in Portugal, it’s clearly never too soon to start planning.

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Portugal is an incredibly popular holidaymaking destination for visitors from the UK.  Many who come are fast falling in love with the country’s charms and are deciding to pick up sticks and move here.  Whilst the British expat community in Portugal is incredibly small in comparison to the numbers found in nearby Spain, this country is quickly gaining in popularity.

With its warm Mediterranean style climate, quiet seaside villages and incredible sites, Portugal has what it takes to attract retirees and expats in droves.  Living in Portugal generally delivers a quiet lifestyle and a friendly environment.  The natural beauty of the country and the legendary politeness of its residents make this a spot many feel comfortable living in, despite the language barrier.  Whilst living in Portugal is a dream come true for many, there are some things would-be retirees and expats should be aware of.  From Lisbon to the Algarve area, Portuguese laws can be rather strict.  Paying attention to them is quite important.

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