Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal

"My vastly improved diet. Without any actual effort, I’ve lost 25 pounds since I got here, which I attribute to eatting a lot more fresh fruit and vegetables and walking on cobblestoned up and downhill sidewalks. The extreme level of consideration for other people among the Portuguese. Because of an obstruction in the left venticle of my heart, I have to stop and catch my breath about every block, and I had to learn almost immediately how to say “I’m OK. I’ve got water. I just need to take a short rest before I move on,” because people stop all the time to ask," replied an expat in Lisbon.

"Politeness. I found the Portuguese to be very polite. Even if they tap you just ever so lightly by mistake, they say "Desculpe" (sorry). You wait your turn and never cut in, even just to ask a quick question. When it’s your turn, you get full attention and never rushed even if the line waiting is long. So as a New Yorker, while the line may be long or slow, when it’s your turn, you learn to wait patiently and enjoy a conversation with others on line, knowing that when it’s your turn, you get full attention and all the time you need. Another thing, Portuguese love, love kids. Kids go everywhere with their parents and are polite and usually well-behaved. Often I see waiters in busy restaurants just stop at a table that they may not even be serving just to interact with some children. Disabled persons and pregnant women get priority on lines ( often also with young children) and reserved good spaces at events. Giving up your seat for them on public transportation is a given. Portugal is very civilized- no yelling, interrupting, and always politeness and kindness. Great place to appreciate life at its best," remarked one in Portugal.

"Kind, helpful and genuinely friendly Portuguese people. The beautiful and, mainly, pristine beaches, forests, villages, towns, rivers and ocean," explained one expat.

"Expats in Portugal appreciate the warm and hospitable culture that residents have for foreigners. They also enjoy the beautiful landscapes, world-renowned beaches, delicious seafood, and vibrant nightlife. Another highlight for expats is the relaxed lifestyle in Portugal, allowing them to enjoy an overall slower pace of life and plenty of opportunities to explore Portugal's rich cultural heritage. Additionally, many expats find the friendly locals to be very welcoming and enjoy the multi-cultural atmosphere of Portugal’s cities as different nationalities mingle, creating a unique and exciting atmosphere," said one person in Portugal.

"Expats in Portugal may find it difficult to adjust to the slower pace of life as well as the more relaxed attitude towards timeliness and deadlines. Language can also present a challenge for expats, as Portuguese is the predominant language and English is not always widely spoken. Other cultural adaptation issues for expats can include understanding the subtleties of local customs and etiquette, such as taking the time to greet others prior to engaging in a conversation or conducting business. Portuguese culture is also very family-oriented, so expats may find it difficult to transition to the longer working hours and different expectations for childcare," replied an expat in Portugal.

"Pace of life and government bureaucracy. Pace of life is easy to adjust...slow down and enjoy. When dealing with government agencies just be prepared for extreme bureaucracy," remarked one in Cascais.

"Mastering the language. This sounds silly, but steaks I can afford and no A1. Sizes. I’m built on a much bigger frame, particularly compare to Portuguese my age, and I wear size 8.5 3E shoes. I’ll just have to look for men’s shoe that will fit and pass. CUSTOMS which basically prevents ordering anything from beyond the EU. And Covid of course, though Portugal has handled it beautifully in my opinion," explained one expat.

"The bureaucracy is frustrating at times but eventually as your life chills out so does your reaction. You have to just roll with it sometimes and be patient. Leave lots of time for health, financial related issues," said one person in Tavira.