Retire in Portugal

"Retiring in Portugal offers many opportunities to live an enjoyable and active lifestyle. There is a growing expat community in Portugal, with many expats living in Portugal's vibrant cities and countryside. Portugal is home to many cultural attractions, including its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and diverse architecture. There are plenty of outdoor activities to take part in, ranging from beach days and excursions to hikes in the Portuguese hills. For those looking for a bit of nightlife, Portugal is home to great restaurants, wine bars, and lively venues. It is not difficult to find activities or events of interest to suit any taste," explained a retiree in Portugal.

"There is a very active expat community, especially for women. There are many cultural attractions in the Lisbon area with lots of recreation. Lisbon has a lot of nightlife opportunities and transport to Lisbon is very easy from Cascais," explained one retiree living in Cascais.

"I'm very new to this, but, so far, it's wonderful. It's everything I hoped for - and more. I would encourage anyone with a sense of adventure and desire - to go for it," explained one retiree living in Cascais.

"It is a wonderful relaxing place to be in the Azores with little to no crime and we want to keep it that way. It is an unspoiled land with no overbuilding yet and hopefully it stays that way," said one retiree in living in Portugal.

"I also have bad knees, the right one is worse. I am in the Algarve and most streets are paved with calcadas. Almost every city I have been to is similar. If I am going out for a long walk I wear a knee brace and sneakers with thick soles. Sometimes I just walk in the street when it is possible. I don't think you will avoid calcadas in many places. They can be very uneven and trecherous when wet," explained a retiree in Albufeira.

"Adjusting to using public transportation instead of a car, setting up a household in a country where I don't speak the language, and starting the process of making friends and learning the language," explained one retiree living in Cascais.

"One of the most challenging aspects of retiring in Portugal is learning a new language. Portuguese is the official language of Portugal, and while English is widely spoken, being able to converse in the native language will greatly enhance one's retirement experience. Additionally, Portugal can have a comparatively high cost of living compared to other countries, which may make it difficult to financially manage on a fixed income. The country is also known for having a slower pace of life and slower pace of work, which may be difficult to adjust to after a lifetime of hustle and bustle. Finally, the weather in Portugal varies greatly throughout the year and depending on the region, ranging from quite wet to quite hot, which may require change of lifestyle and housing to best suit one's preferred climate," said one retiree in living in Portugal.

"I love living by the sea, utilizing the Mercado for shopping, learning new things almost every day, being challenged and energized by my new home. I'm really enjoying getting to know people from many countries and seeing the similarities and differences. I'm also enjoying all the walking I'm doing since I've chosen to not have a car," explained one retiree living in Cascais.

"One of the most rewarding aspects of retiring in Portugal is the low cost of living and the peaceful atmosphere the country provides. Retirees can benefit from the stunning coastline, vibrant culture, mild climate, and rich cuisine in Portugal. Another enjoyable aspect of retiring in Portugal is the sense of security that comes with the well-developed health care system, excellent infrastructure, and safe environment. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Portugal offers amazing landscapes and a variety of outdoor experiences. Portugal also boasts a huge expat community and offers retirees the opportunity to make new friends and socialize with like-minded people," said one retiree in living in Portugal.

"There is a CUF private hospital in Cascais. So far, the care is excellent and the prices are a fraction of what they would be in the US," said one retiree in Cascais.

"Healthcare services in Portugal are generally good, with long waiting times for some treatments. Portugal has a public healthcare system that is widely used, although some opt to pay for private medical care. Those with chronic illnesses can often find quality treatment, including reduced costs for medication. Public healthcare providers tend to prioritize preventative treatments and health education, with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles. Overall, Portugal has a robust national healthcare system that provides quality medical care to its citizens," commented one retiree living in Portugal.

"In my experience, restaurants and cafes afforded me the opportunity to meet new people, develop friendships, and practice speaking the language. At nearly every turn, I was able to find people willing to speak English with me and to offer useful help in developing the ability to speak Portuguese. For my part, I have not made any attempts to join expat communities. Instead, a little humility and lots of hard work trying to learn the language has opened doors to friends and families in the local community. All this began by trying to frequent the cafes and restaurants that had employees and clients who were willing to communicate," explained one retiree living in Lisbon.

"Many expats in Portugal join social groups and local clubs specific to their interests and professions, such as book clubs, running clubs, wine tasting clubs, and even language exchange groups. For example, the Lisbon Expat Networking Club is an online group focused on networking, business, and career development for expats in Portugal. Other ways expats can meet people in Portugal is by attending cultural events or being involved in community activities. Many cities and towns across the country also offer language classes, which is a great way to meet people and improve language skills. Additionally, expats can reach out to other people through social media platforms and websites such as Expat.com," said one retiree in living in Portugal.

"There's a little bit of everything in Lisboa (Lisbon). Public transportation is a must in this city. There are a number of outdoor cafes where you can enjoy a coffee and people-watch. However, sports is the priority in Lisbon. Futebol (Soccer) is king here. Sporting and Benfica are the top soccer teams in the city. Be careful about wearing green (Sporting colors) in the Benfica neighborhood," explained a retiree in Lisbon.

"Expatriates and digital nomads who are living in Portugal find a balance between a modern local lifestyle and a relaxed Mediterranean one. With low cost of living and great weather, the country is a popular destination for many expats and digital nomads to live, work, and explore. From the bustling cities of Lisbon and Porto to the picturesque coastal towns, the diversity and culture of Portugal offer many opportunities to discover its traditional foods, landscapes, and people. Expats and digital nomads have access to excellent healthcare and education, as well as a vibrant expat community to help them settle in. For those looking for a location to work remotely, there is plenty of space in Portugal to get work done and stunning views to go along with it. Overall, Portugal provides a great experience for expats and digital nomads who are looking to experience a new culture, learn a language, and enjoy all the country has to offer," explained one retiree living in Portugal.

"I live in Albufeira. We have a lot of tourists in the summer. There are certain areas I don't frequent because of the tourists. The strip, to a lesser degree Old Town. Go down some of the side streets and eat in restaurants the locals do. The food is great, inexpensive and they will even help you with your Portuguese. There are closures in the winter months but enough stays open that you don't suffer. The beaches are great, instead of going to Marinha where you can spend an hour looking for a parking spot, head to Sao Raphael in Sesmarias by Albufeira. Beautiful beach with a nice restaurant and good parking. I am a 25 minute walk from the beach and west of the strip and old town. Go closer to the beach.... you get more tourists. Come in the summer and spend two weeks, you will get a good feel and see if it is for you. If you come to Albufeira drop me a line and I will give you a tour," said one retiree in living in Albufeira, Portugal.

"In Portugal, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and gardens. There are also many outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. Portugal also has a number of cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and monuments. Additionally, Portugal has a vibrant nightlife, with a variety of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Finally, Portugal is home to a number of sports facilities, such as golf courses, tennis courts, and swimming pools," explained one retiree living in Portugal.

"People living in Portugal typically buy groceries from local supermarkets, such as Pingo Doce, Intermarché, and Lidl. Other shopping can be done at local markets, such as the Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon, or at larger shopping malls, such as the Colombo Shopping Centre in Lisbon. Additionally, many Portuguese people shop online for groceries and other items," remarked one retiree in Portugal.