Nazare, Portugal, has three neighborhoods:
· Praia, the beach, and its promenade.
· Sítio, a historic town perched on top of a cliff.
· Pederneira, a quiet hilltop village.
Praia is a great beach on the Silver Coast. It is protected from strong winds and currents by the Sítio headland. It’s a peaceful spot to relax in the sun or take a walk to the fishing harbor.
On the other hand, Sitio is more of a cultural capital, which used to be a popular pilgrimage destination and now is home to several churches and a 17th century fort.
Pederneira is another small village full of historic artifacts, quaint cobblestone streets, and uninterrupted views of the Atlantic.
The cost of living in Nazare is 26% less than what it would be in Lisbon, and for those considering relocating (semi) permanently, there are properties available at a great value.
A furnished three-bedroom, two-bath near the beach can be rented for about US$575 per month. A furnished one-bedroom in the center of Sitio should cost around US$850 per month.
Life in Nazare means that utilities should fall around US$100 a month maximum, and internet should cost less than US$20 a month.
The city is for the most part very safe, and visitors should not fear the risk of any violent crime, but car burglaries do happen around Nazare Beach—an easy threat to avoid simply by walking or biking around the city.
Because it is a seaside city, Nazare is also known for its delicious seafood, the prices of which are inexpensive compared to most mid-to-upscale American restaurants.
A regular lunch should only cost about US$10, while a nicer three-course meal for two people should cost around US$45.
Groceries, and market-fresh produce, are also cheaper in Portugal— a loaf of bread costs around US$1.22 compared to America’s US$3.43, and a dozen eggs will set you back US$2.60 in Portugal compared to US$4.42 in the United States.
Most importantly, Portugal also has a low-cost public healthcare system, so many general appointments will only cost a few euros (or they might even be free).
A hospital visit from a general practitioner will cost around US$75, and a specialist will run around US$90. There is a health center, a couple clinics, and a hospital in the city center.
There is private and public healthcare in Portugal, and the general rule (even for expats) is that public healthcare is reserved for the elderly, who usually cannot afford private healthcare. Even so, the costs are much less in Portugal than in the US, and most medication usually doesn’t require a prescription and only costs a few euros.
Most doctors in the private healthcare system are excellent, especially dentists, and many of them are also fluent in English.