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Sun Soaked Beaches, Warm Climate
and Old World Charm Draw Expat Retirees to Portugal's Lively Southern
Coast
Cost of Living: Above the U.S.
National Average
The Portuguese currency is now the
euro, which is currently at 1.3 to the U.S. dollar. For this
article, all prices are in U.S. dollars.
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The proximity of
the Mediterranean Sea greatly influences the Algarvean climate.
Summers are hot and dry; winters are mild with little rain (50 days with rain);
very inviting springs and autumns round out the
year. January temperatures average in the 50s, and July is
characterized by temperatures in the 80s, although they
can reach the high 90s. The area has an
average of 12 hours of sun a day, and
there is always a slight breeze off the Atlantic.
The water is surprisingly warm, and there
are no tidal waves, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions or tornadoes. |
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Good food, particularly seafood, is a way of life here,
and delightful festivals occur throughout the year to
celebrate the local gastronomy. The Sausage
Festival, the Beer Festival, the Art of Desert Fair, the
Sardine Festival and the Seafood Festival are just a
few, each held in a different town or village. Seafood
soups, oregano snails, pork meat and "cataplana"
clams, roasted dried octopus on the grill (Lagos style)
and grilled squid and cuttlefish are all local specialties
and should be tried, as should the fig pastries, puff
pastries and almond paste and caramel pastries. The
local wine is very tasty, too, and very inexpensive as are
most groceries. Markets with fresh fruits and
vegetables are in abundance, and daily market trips are one of the great joys of
living here. . |
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This region is known for its golf, and there are
no less than 30 courses dispersed along the coast and within the
nearby hills. One of the most famous and most photographed
is the Royal Course with its Par 3, a hole that from the
championship tee requires a 218 meter stroke over three
spectacular cliffs to reach the green after crossing a lake!
Retirees may also, aside from soaking up centuries of history
and enjoying gorgeous scenery, beautiful sandy beaches,
outstanding golf and good food, partake in any number of non-food
related festivals and events, including the Algarve International
Film Festival, the Algarve International Music Festival, the
International Jazz Festival, the Algarve International Horse
Jumping Competition, the Ladies Football Cup or the Algarve
International Motorcycle Meeting, to name a few. Entire
towns come out to celebrate; neighbors greet neighbors; food is
shared and a sense of community is felt by all.
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Those who plan to settle in Portugal may
bring in household items duty-free as long as the items have
been in use at least six months. Pets may come to
retire with their owners as long as they are accompanied
by a health certificate stating that the pet is
free of disease.
Generally, Portuguese roads are in fair, not great,
shape. Expats should know that the country has one of the highest rates of road
accidents and fatalities in all of Europe, thanks in part
to dim illumination on narrow roads and
poorly marked road works. Excessive speed and
unpredictable driving habits are an additional
hazard. Drivers must wear seatbelts and cannot use
cell phones while driving, but that does not seem to
lessen the high accident rate. The country has an inexpensive, nation-wide
railroad system which might be a better option than
driving.
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The cost of private dental care and health care in Portugal is
quite high, but the country has the Portuguese Public Health
System, under which any resident is entitled to free basic health
care, including free essential medicines, free general
practitioner appointments, etc. Once one becomes a resident of Portugal,
he or she needs to apply for a medical card to access the health
care system. This system is, however, overcrowded and
services are inconsistent, so private care and private health
insurance are highly recommended.
English is spoken in some of the larger towns and tourist
areas, but it is essential to learn Portuguese if considering
retiring here. It should be noted that having to do so is occasionally cited as a
drawback. High costs are another drawback and should be
carefully explored before making a move. If the
Algarve is too expensive, other areas north and central should be
explored. This area can still have an earthquake here and
there (one was felt on February 12, 2007), and some less hardy
souls might consider this a drawback.
The Resident is an English-language
newspaper that is published weekly and is widely read by the
international community. It has a classified section which
is a good place to look for rentals and property for sale.
The American Embassy in Lisbon also distributes a free email
newsletter, which includes security updates, news of special
events, changes in U.S. regulations or procedures and updated
contact information for consular staff members, to U.S. citizens
in Portugal. The IF Club is a group of Algarve expat
retirees age 50+ who meet to socialize and share information about
their living abroad experience.
Portugal is a humble country, and its pleasures are
simple. Stress is practically an unknown. Life
is meant to be savored and enjoyed. The Portuguese are
welcoming and friendly, always ready to help a foreign visitor
trying to find his way. Older folks are respected and
valued. Family traditions are important. The entire
region, from the Spanish border to the west coast, can now be
covered in a little over an hour's drive, thanks to the new A22 highway.
Within this 85 mile stretch, one hundred beaches and dozens of wonderful
villages and towns await the new expatriate retiree.
The air is fragrant, the sun is shining, the people are kind, the
food is tantalizing and the turquoise waters are enticing.
Now this is retirement!
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