Pros and Cons of Living in Lisbon
Last updated on Dec 25, 2024
Summary: The pros of living in Lisbon, Portugal include its mild climate, its vibrant culture, its stunning architecture, its delicious cuisine, and its friendly people. On the other hand, the cons of living in Lisbon include its high cost of living, its traffic congestion, and its lack of job opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Lisbon?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Lisbon responded:
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the mild climate, beautiful scenery, and vibrant culture of Lisbon. They also enjoy the city's affordability, with its low cost of living and abundance of affordable housing. Additionally, the city's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy challenging. Additionally, the city's nightlife can be quite noisy, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep," wrote one expat in Lisbon.
"The weather is generally very good, access to goods and services makes it easy to live here. Covid has impacted everything of course which has made things more difficult. Health care is accessible and affordable. Learning the language has taken longer but English is often understood. There's access to lots of outdoors activities like cycling, hiking, water sports, which is important. There is an old world charm and a lot of history to learn about. Also access to other places in Europe make this location good. Previously lived in several countries in Asia. Europe also closer to the US for trips back- when possible again," explained one expat living in Lisbon.

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What do expats in Lisbon appreciate most about the local culture?
"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," remarked one in Lisbon.
"Expats in Lisbon appreciate the city's vibrant culture, which is a mix of traditional Portuguese and modern influences. They also enjoy the city's relaxed atmosphere, with its laid-back lifestyle and friendly locals. The city's mild climate and stunning natural beauty are also appreciated by expats, who can enjoy outdoor activities year-round. Lisbon's rich history and architecture are also a draw, with its cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and iconic monuments. Finally, expats appreciate the city's diverse culinary scene, with its traditional Portuguese dishes and international flavors," explained one expat.
What do expats find most challenging?
"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," said one expat in Lisbon.
"Expats in Lisbon often find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture. Portuguese is the official language of the country, and many locals may not be able to communicate in English. Additionally, the Portuguese culture is very family-oriented, and expats may find it difficult to make friends and build relationships with locals. Furthermore, the Portuguese are known for their laid-back attitude, which can be difficult for expats who are used to a more fast-paced lifestyle. Finally, the Portuguese are known for their strong sense of pride and patriotism, which can be difficult for expats to understand and appreciate," said a person living in Lisbon.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International
and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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