Best Cities To Live In Portugal [For Expats]
Are you about to move anytime soon in 2022? If you are moving to Portugal, then the first question in your mind would be about the best place where you can live in Portugal. Did you know that Portugal is very expat-friendly and you will not face any problems when you leave there?
While all of this is true, it will still not eliminate your worry about finding the best place where you should live in Portugal. The good news is that there are plenty of mesmerizing places in this country, such as beaches and pretty fishing villages, which are attractive. The question still stands: what are the best places to live in Portugal?
The answer to this question will be different for everybody before everyone has their taste and personal experience about their lifestyle. So depending on your lifestyle, you can choose the right place to live in Portugal, and it will be great for you in the long run.
An interesting fact about living in Portugal is that it will be great for both types of people. The first type of people are those looking for a laid-back life on a beach like the golden beaches of the Algarve on the Portugal Islands. Second, people interested in popular city living can choose lively destinations to enjoy the nightlife.
Let’s look at the best places where you can live in Portugal once you arrive there.
Best Cities To Live In Portugal
Looking for the best cities to live in Portugal? Say no more! Look at the list we have compiled for you and decide for yourself!
Aveiro
Aveiro is a charming town located in Portugal. This is the best place for you to live if you want to enjoy an authentic life with a rich culture and the best part is that it is closest to the second biggest city in Portugal, Porto! If you move to this city, you will get the vibes of roaming around in Venice! Aveiro is known for its canals, rich culture, and history. However, this town is small, and you will not find many people around who speak English.
You might have to practice your Portuguese before you move here with your family. You will find a lot of tourists in the town as it is small in size. So if you are looking for a laid-back lifestyle out of the LimeLight in Portugal, then Aveiro is for you. When it comes to the town’s lifestyle, it is relaxing and provides you with plenty of opportunities to work remotely.
It is a safe place to live compared to other locations worldwide, considering that it supports the LGBT community. The health care system in this town does need a bit of improvement, but it still doesn’t change the fact that this town is situated in Europe that is known for its high-quality lifestyle. If you want to move to a place near the beach, you should not move to this city because it is far away from the coast.
Coimbra
Coimbra is a famous city in Portugal and one of the best places to reside if you move here anytime soon. The unique thing about this city is that it will offer something to everyone who is going to move here. The interesting fact about the city is that it used to be the capital of Portugal back in the day and it will offer you a very peaceful life if you move here. Life here is chill, and the cost of living is also low.
Regarding the quality of education, it is high quality in the city as you might already know that the oldest University in the country is also situated in this city. Coimbra is a safe place to live and offers views of mesmerizing architecture all over. When looking forward to enjoying the authentic Portuguese culture, you can move to the city where your family is. Another benefit of moving to the town is that you will get to enjoy authentic Portuguese food.
It is not only local but also delicious. You will only enjoy the fantastic nightlife in this city, but it is far away from the coast, so you will not enjoy the coast. The communication in this city is excellent; you will connect with other people with the perfect health care system. But the weather in this city can be unpredictable sometimes and can change from time to time. If it doesn’t bother you, then you can move to this city in Portugal.
Portimão
Portimao is easily among the best places to live if you move to this country. You will see Golden beaches and mesmerizing coastline if you move here. If you are picky about the weather and always want the best weather, then you should move to this city because it has the best temperature. This city has been featured in the list of the cities which are best for retiring people. That is why it is a trendy city among retiring people who are currently residing in Portugal in this city.
Overall the field of this city is peaceful and relaxed, and you will see many trendy cafes on the beach where you can enjoy your life. The life here is chill, and you can also enjoy the fantastic air quality and atmosphere once you move here. However, the public transport option in this city is not that great, and you might need to purchase a car so that you can move around quickly in this city once you have moved here.
The best part about this city is that it is well connected and has great places to live. The expat community in the town is significant, and you will be able to connect to them on another level. English is spoken widely in the city, and you don’t have to worry about learning Portuguese. However, it is not the best place for people looking for working opportunities because it is more of a retirement home type.
Best Cities To Work In Portugal
Did you know that Portugal is a gold mine for digital nomads and remote workers? Here are the best cities you can reside in if you want to work in Portugal:
Funchal
Funchal is also known as Madeira. It is not the city that first comes to mind for people looking forward to moving to the country. However, it would not be wrong to say it is an underrated gem. It is a famous Portuguese Island that is getting increasingly popular nowadays. All the credit for the popularity goes to remove workers because they have chosen this Island destination to work from home and live their dream life.
This is the biggest city on the island, and it has a lot to offer you. You will get to see mesmerizing beautiful settings in the evening as well as during the sunset. Nothing is better than the sunset you will spend on an island while working from home, right? The best part about the city is that it is not overcrowded with many tourists and has a lot of peace.
This one is right if you want the best city to work in Portugal. The best part is that you will see a beautiful view and the climate will be warm all your life. You don’t have to worry about being super cold while working from home and making money. All the people on the island are aware of Basic English, but the cherry will be on top if you practice Portuguese. Overall, it is a very safe city to live in and very family friendly as well.
Ponta Delgada
If you are looking for an area that is sustainable in terms of tourism initiatives and famous for remote working, then this Portuguese Island is the right one for you to move to. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most beautiful places where you can reside worldwide and work remotely. The city looks a bit removed, but it is the perfect place to become a digital nomad and enjoy the island’s natural beauty while living with your family.
However, you need to keep in mind that living on this island will not be cheap and you will have to pay the price and terms of the cost of living if you want to move here, especially with your family. Another benefit of moving here is that you will get good air quality and a family-friendly environment. Not to forget the beautiful surroundings of the island. The only downfall of living here is that the public transport is not as reliable.
But if you are considering becoming a remote worker, you might not have to go out as much, and it can promote working opportunities. Some people might think that life on an island can sometimes be isolating, but it will not be a problem if you are an introvert! Overall, it is a pretty solid island to move to in Portugal.
Best Cities To Live In Portugal For Families
Did you know Portugal is very family-friendly? Here at the best cities to live in Portugal if you are moving with your family:
Lisbon
Lisbon is a trendy city in Portugal. If you are moving to Portugal as an ex-pat, the good news is that Lisbon has many ex-pats. It is the best city to live in the country whether you are a student or if you are moving with your family. People often move their country because there are no flexible and supportive laws for the LGBT+ community in their country.
That is not going to be the case when you move to Portugal because you will get to see a thriving LGBT community over here. Overall Lisbon is the best choice if anyone is moving to this country and loves big city life. If you are a fan of nightlife and lots of lights, this is the city for you and has a rich history and culture.
Not to forget the beautiful beaches you will enjoy in Lisbon, and there is nothing better than living near a beach. The most popular language of choice in Lisbon is English, and everyone understands it. Recently the city has become very popular for digital nomads and people looking forward to working remotely.
This trend was brought to the city during the pandemic, and now it has left many job opportunities available all over Lisbon. There are different co-working centers and high-speed internet available in Lisbon. The best part about living in the city is that it is safe, and high-quality education is also available.
Porto
Porto is the second largest city in Portugal, and a few expats are currently living here. This city has been overlooked by most of the ex-pats because it is in the Northern area. But it still doesn’t change the fact that it is a beautiful city situated on the banks of the river Douro.
If you are looking for the best city to live in Portugal, then this should be on your list because it is one of the safest cities in the country that you can move to! If you are looking forward to moving to Portugal with your family and looking for a family city to move to, this is the right choice. This city’s best health care system is available, so you don’t have to worry about that. Not to forget that it is a very affordable and safe City to reside in.
If you don’t have the budget to move to Lisbon with your family, then Porto can be your second choice and plan B. However, if you are moving here, you need to know that the cost of living is cheaper in the City Centre area. This area has few tourists, but you can make some suitable real estate investments. The street here is colorful, and you will see rich culture everywhere you lay your eyes. English is the most spoken language in the City and is also famous for the incredible local gastronomy.
Braga
Braga is the oldest City in Portugal, and it will be the right option for you to move here if you have a small family. The best part about moving to the city is that it is not super expensive, and you will be able to be awarded a low-income household as well.
However, the job opportunities in this city are pretty impressive because the culture of digital nomads is also present here. The best thing about the cities is that they are becoming increasingly popular among expats nowadays and they will be the right option for you if you enjoy big city life and nightlife.
Braga is situated in a fantastic location just half an hour from the beach, and you can drive to the beach whenever you want. If you love hiking, the good news is that this city is a 15-minute distance from the mountains, and you can drive whenever you want. The quality of education in Braga is good, and you will see your family-friendly environment everywhere, including the schools.
Did you know an interesting fact that recently Braga was on the list of the best cities to retire in the whole world? That is why there is no doubt that it is among the list of the happiest cities in Europe, and you can notice the smile on the faces of the residents in Braga. Braga should be on your list if you plan to move to Portugal with your family because it has excellent health care and location.
Cheapest Places To Live In Portugal
There are plenty of cheap places where you can live in Portugal if you are moving there anytime soon. Check out the cities that we have mentioned below to find out!
| City | Estimated Cost |
| Leiria | 650-950 |
| Portimao | 750-950 |
| Faro | 800-1100 |
Conclusion
Portugal is famous for giving opportunities to expect so they can enjoy beautiful life in mesmerizing neighborhoods. Living in this country has many perks because you get to enjoy the beautiful giant beaches that you will not be able to see anywhere else. The next benefit is that you get to experience reach culture and the food in this country is also great.
Portugal is present in South Western Europe, so you can enjoy the high quality of life for which Europe is primarily famous. The best part about living in Portugal is that it is very versatile, and you can enjoy different cultures when visiting other cities.
Every city is different from one another and has a unique character and attractiveness. You will enjoy living in this country if you recently moved here and have a long way to go. However, before settling in a particular city, you must conduct property research to make the best this year. The city you choose to live in Portugal will be according to your lifestyle.