People moving to Portugal from other countries for relocation or retirement have a lot of options when it comes to different types of places to live. Like most countries, Portugal offers everything from fast-paced, cosmopolitan cities to quiet and sleepy little towns where nothing much happens.
Generally, people moving from big cities in the US, Canada, South Africa, and elsewhere gravitate towards Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of Europe’s leading cities for business, culture, and fashion. While Lisbon tops the list of Portugal’s costliest places, it also offers the most choices for trade, entertainment, education, and culture.
Cost Per Square Meter
Renting or buying a property in Lisbon is generally higher than anywhere else in Portugal. That’s because Lisbon is the center of everything in a nation full of interesting, historic, and culturally important places. If it were in the US, it would be New York City. If it were in the UK, it would be London.
The average cost per square meter for a rental property in Lisbon is 11.92€. Compare that to other big Portuguese cities like Porto (8.93€) and Sintra (7.10€) and it’s easy to see that an apartment or condo in Lisbon will cost you more, and also that you may get more for your money if you are willing to move somewhere less in the center of everything.
Why Live in Lisbon?
Still, despite being the most expensive city in Portugal, everyday life in Lisbon is still significantly cheaper than places like Paris, London, New York, or Hong Kong. And with a population of just over a half-million, Lisbon also is far less crowded.
Yet living in Lisbon gives you access to the best museums, restaurants, fashion houses, and shopping that Portugal has to offer, not to mention the fastest and most direct connections to other trendy European cities like Milan and Zurich via train and airlines.
Two other things you need to know about Lisbon: It has a warm climate that is similar to Southern California. Also, it has the lowest crime rates of any European capital city.
If you want the best Portugal has to offer, you will likely pay more to live in the nation’s central city. But most people who move there from other places would agree that it’s well worth the money.
