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Lisbon is blessed with warm, sunny weather year-round. There are few places in the world with its diverse qualities, from traditional sophistication to lively beaches, elegant apartments to new luxury condos.
Most importantly, Lisbon has lifestyle options for all tastes and budgets.
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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The city is home to one of Europe’s lowest crime rates and renowned for offering a high quality of life in a safe environment.
Lisbon is still quite cheap and quiet when compared to most European capitals.
Living in Lisbon, Portugal, you benefit from being within two to three hours flight distance from all the major cities in Europe.
Lisbon airport receives about 15 million passengers per year and provides daily flights from low-cost airlines like Ryanair and Easyjet.
Plus, at least 11 flights per week to the United States; TAP Portugal has daily direct flights to Newark (about eight-and-a-half hours) and direct flights about four times a week to Miami (about nine-and-a-half).
Depending on the time of the year, the lowest prices you will find for direct flights to and from the United States usually run between 700 and 750 euros (airport taxes included).
The city is equipped with a fantastic tube network that consists of four color-coded lines (blue, yellow, green, and red) that are served by 55 stations.
This is undoubtedly the fastest and most tension-free way to get across the city. It’s also much cheaper than a taxi—3.50 euros is the starting rate in a cab—and takes a lot less time.
Lisbon’s cultural life is rich and busy.
As a European capital, the city offers a diverse selection of concerts, theatre, art museums (with collections spanning several centuries), music festivals, and just about any other cultural activity you could think of.
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You might be surprised to find out that you can live well in Portugal for less than your currently budgeting.
The cost of living in Portugal is among the lowest in Western Europe, on average 30% lower than in any other country of the region. A retired couple could live here comfortably but modestly on a budget of as little as €1,100 or €1,200 per month. Right now, that’s only slightly more in dollar terms.
With a budget of €1,800 per month or more, you could enjoy a fully appointed lifestyle in the heart of Old Europe.
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | 3% to 4% | It’s difficult to get a mortgage unless you deposit comparable funds in a Portuguese bank account. |
| HOA Fees | €34 | This can range from €0 to €100 depending on the unit size and value as well as property amenities. |
| Property Taxes | €37.5 | About €450 annually. If you purchase a small unit, the value of that unit may qualify for a special program that waives property taxes for the first three years of ownership. Ask your real estate lawyer if you qualify. |
| Transportation | €63 | New cars range from €14,000 and up. Extensive coverage car insurance ranges from €350 per year and up. |
| Gas | €15 | Using a water heater. |
| Electricity | €110 | With heating and air conditioning in each room, plus costs for appliance-use and cooking. These figures are based on a 125-square-meter, ground-floor, condo apartment built in 2007 with a B+ energy rating. Heating and air conditioning costs will be affected by your energy rating. |
| Water | €32 | Including water, sewage, garbage collection, and community landscaping provided by Tavira Verde. |
| Cell Phone | – | Included with cable package. |
| Internet | – | Included with cable package. |
| Cable TV | €100 | |
| Household Help | €60 | For bi-monthly, four-hour visits. The standard rate is €7 per hour. |
| Entertainment | €300 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: €60 to €70.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: €20 (€8 to €10 for a bottle of wine; €3 for a beer). Movie theater trip twice a month: €36 (€6.50 each for seniors, plus snacks). |
| Groceries | €200 | |
| Gym Membership | €35 | Rolling membership at Hitio Gym or pilates classes twice a week. |
| Medical Appointment | €50 to €80 | Cost for private GP and medical specialist visit at Taviclinica. Dental check-up/cleaning at Ecodenta is €60.
National Health System charges tax only on visits (€4) and basic tests (upwards from €10). However, no dental or specialist services are available at the local health center. |
| TOTAL | €1,036.50 to €1,066.50 |
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| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | €550 | One-bedroom, unfurnished apartment in the city center: €470.
Two-bedroom, unfurnished apartment in city center: €650. Three-bedroom apartment in a modern urbanization (with a parking garage) in walking distance to downtown: €800. |
| Transportation | €63 | New cars range from €14,000 and up. Extensive coverage car insurance ranges from €350 per year and up. |
| Gas | €15 | Using a water heater. |
| Electricity | €110 | With heating and air conditioning in each room, plus costs for appliance-use and cooking. These figures are based on a 125-square-meter, ground-floor, condo apartment built in 2007 with a B+ energy rating. Heating and air conditioning costs will be affected by your energy rating. With heating and air conditioning in each room, plus costs for appliance-use and cooking. These figures are based on a 125-square-meter, ground-floor, condo apartment built in 2007 with a B+ energy rating. Heating and air conditioning costs will be affected by your energy rating. |
| Water | €32 | Including water, sewage, garbage collection, and community landscaping provided by Tavira Verde. |
| Cell Phone | – | Included with cable package. |
| Internet | – | Included with cable package. |
| Cable TV | €100 | |
| Household Help | €60 | For bi-monthly, four-hour visits. The standard rate is €7 per hour. |
| Entertainment | €300 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: €60 to €70.
Local drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: €20 (€8 to €10 for a bottle of wine; €3 for a beer). Movie theater trip twice a month: €36 (€6.50 each for seniors, plus snacks). |
| Groceries | €200 | |
| Gym Membership | €35 | Rolling membership at Hitio Gym or pilates classes twice a week. |
| Medical Appointment | €50 to €80 | Cost for private GP and medical specialist visit at Taviclinica. Dental check-up/cleaning at Ecodenta is €60.
National Health System charges tax only on visits (€4) and basic tests (upwards from €10). However, no dental or specialist services are available at the local health center. |
| TOTAL | €1,515 to €1,545 |
The capital’s oldest and most typical neighborhoods. Famous for their narrow streets, and filled with restaurants, these neighborhoods are the stylistic heart and the soul of the city.
These are the most vibrant residential districts. With a range of shops, grocery stores, and small markets, these two neighborhoods are great if you want a real community feeling.
Perfect for students, this area is highly accessible with lots of affordable housing options. There are numerous public transportation outlets available nearby, as well as several small, modern buildings offering loads of cheap apartment opportunities
This is the most sophisticated neighborhood in Lisbon and a wonderful place for walking and biking. Overlooking the Tagus River, this neighborhood is full of bars, restaurants, recreational areas, and a large shopping center.
The most emblematic neighborhoods in town, Chiado and Príncipe Real are the liveliest districts and unquestionably the most highly sought neighborhoods to live in Lisbon.
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Lisbon is a vibrant city with rich history and culture… and when you first visit you might be overwhelmed with what to do first. Take these first steps to get to know the beauty of Portugal’s capital city.
The best way to get to know a new place is to walk through its streets. Lisbon’s have something special about them; you can feel the energy and vibrancy wherever you look. Take your time to roam around and soak up all its history. Plus, the stunning views you get from this hilly city are incomparable.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to walk through Lisbon’s oldest district, Alfama. This is an enjoyable experience no matter the time of day. You’ll find a ton of small restaurants, cafés, and Fado clubs. Look for the Santa Luzia scenic viewpoint to take in some of the city most incredible views.
If you don’t feel like walking by yourself, there are several different walking tours that you can take around the city. A lot of them are free or at an affordable price. Make sure to put on your best walking shoes and get ready to discover Lisbon’s magic.
You could also opt for taking the Tram to get around.
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Pastelarias are in almost every corner of Lisbon, and there you’ll be able to find the world-famous pastéis de nata or pastéis de Belém. These pastries have crisp, puff pastry crusts filled with baked egg custard. These are addictive, always order more than one… one is never enough.
And although you can find a myriad of delicious versions of the pastéis de nata throughout the city, none compare to the ones sold at the Belém institution. Drinking your coffee while enjoying this Portuguese delicacy is something you cannot pass up.
Fado is a music genre that can be traced back to the 1820s in Lisbon. It is usually characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics about the sea or the life of the poor. On 2011, Fado was added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists.
Fado music is intrinsically linked with the heart of the city and Portuguese culture.
Finding a bar that is playing live fado music while drinking red wine is one of the most authentic activities you can partake in while you visit. Make sure to get local recommendations for the best bars or restaurants serving the best food and have the best singers. Not all Fado bars are created equal.
If you’re up for it, don’t forget to party like a local. Lisbon is one of Europe’s party capitals, so this city’s nightlife has you covered. You can start in the Bairro Alto neighborhood and barhop while following the crowds.
Sintra is a town on the Portuguese Riviera classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a picturesque place filled with historic palaces and castles. Here you’ll be able to enjoy the Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, Moorish Castle, National Palace, and Pena Palace.
There is a lot to see and do in Sintra, so plan your day according to what you are most excited to experience.
To get here you can take a 40-minute train ride from Lisbon or purchase a roundtrip bus ticket from the train station.
In Belém you’ll find the landmark that you can’t miss when visiting Lisbon—Torre de Belém. You will find the most iconic feature of the city just above the riverfront, which has been watching over the Tagus River since the 16th century.
This tower is the symbol of Europe’s Age of Discoveries, built in the height of the Portuguese Renaissance.
Once you’re in Belem you can also visit the Jeronimos Monastery and the Ajuda Palace. Around you’ll also find cafés and restaurants where you can take a break from the walks around gardens and the riverfront.
The activities mentioned just scratch the surface on everything that you can do in your journey through Portugal’s exciting capital city. Lisbon has so much art, history, culture, music, and life to offer…
With over 300 days of sunshine per year, this popular destination will not disappoint. Don’t think twice about it and get ready to discover Lisbon’s charm.
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Lisbon is tough to pin down…
Four centuries older than Rome and the second-oldest European capital after Athens, it’s drenched in historical ambiance and holds its own against any other Continental haven in terms of Old World charm.
Then again, it’s a coastal city, found at the point where the River Tagus empties into the Atlantic Ocean, with a swimmable beach only 10 minutes away… Why not describe it as a beach destination?
Where Lisbon stands out most, though, is in its uniquely cosmopolitan attributes…
This is a global city with an important role in finance, commerce, media, entertainment, arts, international trade, tourism, and education.
For example, it boasts incomparable museums, galleries, concerts, and theatre and serves up world-class cuisine.
It draws on thousands of years of history to provide gorgeous architecture that will have you tripping over yourself as you look ever skyward…
Great weather (perhaps the best of all the Western European capitals with 220 sunny days per year) and a solid track record for safety are a just a few other things Lisbon’s got going for it.
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It’s an ideal base for exploring Europe. Living in Lisbon, you benefit from being within two to three hours flying distance from all the major cities in Europe. Plus, its health care system is world-class… as is its education system.
Lisbon feels easy-going, which isn’t a word I’d use to describe other European capitals, like Paris or London. It offers all the same amenities, but it’s far cheaper than those other two options.
With an authentic view to the past, unique and interesting cultural amenities, and low crime rates, Lisbon offers a high quality of life to its residents, making it one of the most desirable cities in the world to live in.
With a good pair of walking shoes, Lisbon is a fantastic city to explore on foot. It’s an incredibly scenic place, with varied elevation, the river, and architectural styles spanning many decades to gawk at.
Living here, you can say goodbye to car insurance, maintenance fees, and concerns about gas prices. You definitely don’t need a car in a city like this.
Public transportation options in Lisbon include the metro, trams, trains, buses, and ferries.
The metro consists of four color-coded lines (blue, yellow, green, and red) that are served by 55 stations between 6:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. This is the fastest and most stress-free way to get across the city.
It’s also much cheaper than a taxi—3.50 euros is the starting rate in a cab—and takes a lot less time. A one-way metro ticket is 1.50 euros; a monthly public transport pass is 20 euros for retirees.
Lisbon is well-connected to the rest of Portugal via train. Four train lines depart the city from five major stations (Santa Apolónia, Rossio, Gare do Oriente, Entrecampos, and Cais do Sodré).
Portugal’s trains are an efficient, inexpensive, and comfortable way to get around. You get better discounts by booking in advance. For anyone over 65, you can get a 50% discount on full-price domestic train tickets.
Most importantly, Portugal has a huge expat community, with about 660,00 foreigners living in the country. About half of this number live in Lisbon Metropolitan Area.
English is the second most spoken language in the country. A big reason for this is Portugal’s long relationship with the U.K. and the fact that about 50,000 of the country’s total expats are British… and a growing number of Americans are joining them…
Those who’d like the Californian lifestyle without the political issues, insane housing prices, crime, non-stop natural disasters, and so on can come to the California of Europe (sometimes even called “Eurifornia”).
As an expat to Lisbon, you won’t have any trouble meeting other expats. There are near endless opportunities to socialize, and you’ll hear English spoken in every bar, cafés, or restaurant.
All sorts of interest-based groups are available if you want to get involved and socialize in a more structured setting. Resources and media specifically for English-speakers are available, too.
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Lisbon is one of Western Europe’s most affordable capitals, not only for the expenses of day-to-day living but also for the cost of property. It’s not as cheap as it was 10 or 15 years ago, but it still offers incredible value.
CIA Landlord Insurance puts Lisbon second on its list of cheapest Western European capitals to buy property in. (Brussels is first on the list, though its monthly cost of living estimate is higher than Lisbon’s.)
It estimates about 230,000 euros is needed to buy a home in Lisbon and that a person can live here on about 1,048 euros a month.
Price per square meter of real estate in Lisbon’s city center is about 4,500 euros. On the outskirts of the city, this drops down to about 2,600 euros per square meter. Renting an apartment costs an average of 860 euros a month.
It’s not just the big-ticket items like real estate and rent that are cheaper in Lisbon, though…
Eating out is super affordable, about 10 to 12 euros for a main course at a Portuguese restaurant. Because of the proximity to the ocean, seafood is a specialty in Lisbon.
Local wine is high-quality and inexpensive. At a restaurant, a glass will cost you about 3 euros. You can get a decent bottle of wine for about the same price or up to 5 euros at a grocery store. Expect to pay about 200 euros per month on groceries as a couple.
Transportation and health care—the second and third biggest expenses for Americans in the United States over 65—are two areas where you’ll save a fortune in Lisbon…
In the national health system, you’ll pay a small surcharge on doctor’s visits (about 4 euros) and tests (about 10 euros). A medical appointment in the private system is still affordable—between 50 and 80 euros.
For transportation, combining walking, a monthly public transportation pass (40 euros), and occasional taxis, you’ll pay about 150 euros a month.
Lisbon offers the opportunity to live in a village atmosphere despite being in a major city, because the neighborhood is that ancient and well-established…
Here you can take a moment and enjoy a coffee on the terrace of your favorite kiosk… or sit in the sun and watch the meandering River Tagus from a secret viewpoint.
Around every corner is the possibility of discovering something new, even surprising, every time you walk out your front door…
If those simple charms sound appealing to you, Lisbon should be at the top of your list…
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Lisbon is known as the “White City,” for its lively downtown filled with bright houses and cozy neighborhoods, stands out because of its unique architecture. Also, the special ochre stone used in many buildings makes the city glow when sunlight hits it. Alongside its charming areas, this Portuguese city also boasts some of the most contemporary structures and luxurious villas of today.
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