Porto Vs Lisbon For Expats – What Is The Best Option part 2 – Part one is here.

Living in Lisbon as an Expat

Lisbon is a thriving city with an international community. It’s a great place to live and work, especially if you’re an Expat. Here are five pros of living in Lisbon as an expat.

Weather

One of the best things about Lisbon is that it has very nice weather.  Most Expats agree that it’s much easier to live in a place with great weather than in one with bad weather, especially if you’re planning on staying longer than just a couple of years.

The summer weather here can be hot and sometimes humid, but for the most part, it’s very pleasant.  If you’re thinking of moving to Portugal, you’ll be happy to hear that the weather in Lisbon is really one of its biggest draws.

Affordable

One of the best things about living in Lisbon as an Expat is affordable.  A large range of options is available for Expats, including houses, apartments, condos, etc.  The cost of living in Lisbon is much lower than in most other large international cities.

Safety and Security

People like to live in places that feel safe and secure, and Lisbon offers this and more. The crime rate here is very low, making it a safe place to live. Expats are able to enjoy living here without any fear of violence or other crimes.

Food Options

You’ll find that you have many different food options in Lisbon, including sea-food restaurants and traditional Portuguese restaurants.  Expats here say they love the great food offered throughout the city.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Lisbon has a lot going on in terms of nightlife and entertainment. There are clubs, bars, live music venues, etc., that offer a great variety of options for Expats and the locals. There’s always something to do here with something happening all year round. It’s definitely a city that never sleeps with lots to do for Expats.

Cons

Not Knowing Enough Portuguese

Since I’m not a native speaker, it’s pretty hard to get around if you don’t know any Portuguese at all. And while everyone tries their best to speak English with foreigners, this is especially difficult when dealing with people who work in customer service or people working at the supermarket or bank.

Not Enough Work Opportunities

While you are allowed to freely look for a job while being here on a student visa, it’s still not that easy finding work relevant to your studies, especially if you are studying something technical like engineering or medicine. Often, companies are looking for people who have studied completely different things.

Temperatures in Summer

When I left Brazil, it was 40 °C (104 °F). Now when I look outside the window at my new home here in Lisbon, there is snow everywhere, and it’s -1°C (30.2 °F) degrees outside. Winter in Lisbon is horrible, and I would not recommend coming here when it’s colder than 20°C (68 °F), especially if you plan on going out a lot.

No Street Address

While other countries give every person a house number, Lisbon is not like this. Quite often, you can stand in front of someone’s door and only know the first name (and sometimes even just the initials) of the person who lives there, but nothing else. This is because every building has its name on the front side, so you don’t need a number.

The Prices of Everything

If you are not used to buying groceries inexpensive supermarkets or eating out every day, Lisbon can be quite an expensive place to live at. You might even start thinking about moving here if you really like money.

What’s the Best Option, Porto or Lisbon?

From the information above, you can see that the two cities in Portugal seem to be the best. However, to be on the safer side, you can select the one based on your preference. On the other hand, I can tell you that Porto seems to be my favorite.

I like its population, which is almost half of Lisbon’s. Also, it looks calm and quiet. The weather is great even though the summer season is usually hot, but not as heavy as in Lisbon. Additionally, I love the nature of Porto with mountains on one side and rivers on another – just perfect.

If you prefer a warmer climate, more people on the street, and nightlife, then Lisbon is for you. You can’t go wrong with either city. Just select the one where you feel good.

Frequently Asked Questions about Portugal

Is Portugal a good place to live?

Portugal is beautiful, particularly if you are looking for a place to enjoy the sun. It is mostly safe; there are advanced infrastructure and amenities. The food is very good, especially fish. However Portugal has one of the highest taxes in Europe, making life expensive, specially housing.

What should I know about Portuguese people?

They are usually very friendly and will help you. However, they are mostly very quiet, don’t take it as an offense if somebody doesn’t greet or look at you in the street. They are not mean, just reserved. Be patient until you understand the Portuguese way of living.

Is Portugal safe?

Yes, Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe. The major issues are petty thefts in public transportation or at tourist sites, as well as pickpocketing and scams targeting tourists. However, those crimes don’t usually affect the common Portuguese people, so they tend not to pay much attention.

Is Portugal an English-speaking country?

No, it is not! However, most Portuguese people understand Basic English and are eager to learn it, so you will find somebody who speaks at least some English in Portugal. Also, many people working at tourist sites speak English.

Is Portugal expensive?

Portugal is not as cheap as other southern European countries, but you can find some bargains if you look hard enough. Food and public transportation costs are quite reasonable, while costs in the entertainment area might be a bit higher for western standards. Housing in Lisbon costs more than the rest of Portugal but is still cheaper than in other European capitals.

Conclusion

When you move to Portugal, most people will tell you that they ‘recommend’ Lisbon. They say it is a great city with lots of things going on and a fantastic nightlife. Well, no doubt that! Have you tried Porto? Refer to this guide to know the best one.

Porto Vs. Lisbon For Expats – What Is The Best Option part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

It can be hard to choose between living in Porto and Lisbon. If you’re an expatriate trying to decide which city would be best for your new life in Portugal, there are some things you need to consider. The good news is that both cities have lots of cultural activities, museums, restaurants and more for you to enjoy while living here.

Before we proceed, you need to understand Porto and Lisbon are two completely different cities with distinct personalities. The best way to approach this article is to look at them as two different countries. Porto will feel like an old European city complete with medieval architecture, while Lisbon has a more modern vibe, not unlike many other major capital cities in Europe.

When moving to Portugal, you need to choose between Porto or Lisbon because both cities offer unique experiences. Sure, there are many other places in the country where you can live; but for this article, we will discuss Porto and Lisbon only.

Overview of What to Expect In Lisbon and Porto

Portugal is the name of a country in Europe. It is bordered by Spain, with which it has long been intertwined both geographically and culturally. Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city, provides a good place to start traveling through the country because it has a lot of unique sights that define Portugal.

The architecture here is very specific to the area. Lisbon has an old-world charm, but there are also modern things to do in Lisbon. On the other hand, Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is considered to be the birthplace of what is called “Nacional” or Portuguese architecture.

Here you will see many warehouses turned into modern apartment buildings with lots of green space and waterways running throughout. Today, we have come up with what you should expect and the one that’s comfortable to live. Check it out!

The History of Porto is Unique

As mentioned above, one of the main differences between Porto and Lisbon is that the former has a medieval feel to it, while the latter feels more modern. Porto was once considered Europe’s second-largest city after Paris, but it gradually declined in importance in the 19th and 20th centuries due to the rise in shipping in Lisbon.

Here you can still see many of its grand buildings, churches, castles, and towers, which were built over the centuries. Since Portugal has no major cities near it, Porto was one of its main trading hubs during the Middle Ages.

You can see this history in many of the streets, buildings, and homes in Porto, including The Clerigos Tower, The Saint Francis Church, Palácio da Bolsa, and The Stock Exchange Palace, to name a few.

The History of Lisbon is Storied

Lisbon also has many monuments, churches, and castles over 700 years old, including the iconic medieval castle Castelo de São Jorge. A walk around the circumference of this fortress offers stunning views over most of Lisbon. If you’re looking for a church to visit with your family, then you must check out the Sé de Lisboa, one of Portugal’s most important churches.

Although the city has many major historical sites, Lisbon is known more for its beauty than anything else. The Portuguese capital is set around seven hills, perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, which link many of the city’s major attractions.

Porto is Much Cheaper than Lisbon

If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Portugal, Porto would be a better choice than Lisbon. The minimum wage in Portugal is around €650, and the average salary is around €1000. However, in much of Europe, including Portugal, the cost of living is substantially lower than it would be in North America, for example.

After you work out how much money you need to live here and your salary, you can compare the average monthly expenses in Lisbon and Porto. The major difference between these two cities is that rent is much cheaper in Porto.

Generally speaking, your monthly rent will start from around €300 for a one-bedroom apartment in the center of Porto, and you can get two bedrooms for around €450. If you want to live in Lisbon, expect to pay at least €600 for a one-bedroom and around €850 for two bedrooms.

Lisbon Is More Expensive Than Porto

The cost of living in Portugal, especially in Lisbon, tends to be higher than other European Union countries such as Spain or Croatia. If you compare the minimum wage in both Lisbon and Porto, you will see that the average monthly salary is around €600 in Lisbon.

In addition to this, Portugal ranks as one of the most expensive countries in the world, so you can expect everything from groceries to rent, etc., to be more costly here.

If you’re looking for a short-term stay in Lisbon, an Airbnb apartment will be the most convenient option. However, if you want to settle down in Portugal, you might consider buying a property since the prices of property are still low compared to other countries in Western Europe.

Porto is Safer than Lisbon

Crime rates are generally low in Portugal, especially compared with other European cities such as London, Paris, or Rome. In general, many expats will find Porto, a safer option for their families.

However, Lisbon has a higher crime rate compared to most other large Portuguese cities and towns which is why some might prefer to settle down in Porto. The only serious crimes in Portugal are armed robberies and gang/drug-related violence, which mostly happens in Lisbon.

Living in Porto as an Expat

Portugal is one of the most popular European countries to emigrate to. The country has several pros that can be seen as advantages when moving to Portugal. Below are a few pros and cons of relocating to Porto (the second-largest city).

Pros

The Expat Life

Living in Porto, you are always an expat. Because you are not originally from here, incoming residents generally perceive life abroad as much more exciting than locals. Of course, this will vary depending on the person, but the majority of expats I’ve met so far tend to be envious of my life here, compared to their own back home.

This is especially because Portugal is still cheaper than most countries in Western Europe and has a somewhat laid-back atmosphere, something that can be difficult to find in some other European locations.

The City of Porto

Porto is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. There’s the historical part; there’s great nightlife and lots of nature surrounding it. People often consider Porto as ‘romantic’ because the city has so much character and is not just another large European city that you would get bored of in months.

Porto is not just one big town. It has multiple smaller towns and villages around it, and they’re all very different from each other, which can be nice for people looking to explore over the weekends. Some places will just look like any other village, but there are places with a lot of character.

The Peak of Inverno

In the winter months, it’s practically impossible to go outside in Porto for about 3-4 months because the temperatures are so low, and there is snow everywhere. But this also means that you get a few months of summer that can be perfect for going out on weekends and enjoying the beautiful sunny days.

Porto is a city that can be appreciated in all seasons, but I think it’s the summer that makes the biggest impression on newcomers, especially because you haven’t experienced it before. The heat, compared to many other European capitals, is just bearable. If you’re used to temperatures over 30 degrees all year long, you might be disappointed by the temperatures here.

Getting Used to the Food

The food is one of the first things new arrivals notice about Portugal. I’m not saying it’s all bad, but there are certain aspects of Portuguese cuisine that foreigners just don’t like. Luckily, Porto has a lot of restaurants serving other kinds of food as well, so you won’t be eating Portuguese food all the time.

But if you like to experience ‘authentic’ culture, you probably want to try some (or most) of the typical dishes here first hand at least once. This is generally what I recommend newcomers do to get an idea of what Portugal offers.

The Easy Life

Porto is not that big, but it does have a good public transport system. It’s one of the best ways to get around in Porto, so if you move here, don’t bother bringing your car because this city doesn’t need them. The metro here works well and gets you almost everywhere you want to go in Porto.

But the best thing about public transport in Porto is how easy it is to get around. The buses and trains in Portugal are very reliable, and if you’re just a bit patient, you’ll find that all of your transportation needs can be fulfilled with one ticket, which will work for any travel (metro, bus, or train) in Portugal.

Cons

The Public Transportation System

Porto’s public transportation system can be quite confusing to navigate, even for locals. And with over 2 million people in the metropolitan area, the commute on busses and trains can be annoying.

If you’re an Expat that doesn’t speak Portuguese well, then getting around on public transportation can be quite frustrating as bus drivers tend just to shove you off their bus once they sense that your faltering Portuguese isn’t up to par with what they expect of a local.

You Cannot Escape Politics

As an Expat in Porto, you get to be part of a culture that loves to talk about politics and current events. With major political powerhouses like the Social Democratic Party and the Socialist Party in Porto, this city is constantly abuzz with people talking about who should run for mayor and what’s going on in parliament.

 Even if you’re not interested in politics, it’s hard to stay in Porto and not get caught up in one of the many political discussions that flow from every corner.

The Cost Of Living Is Fairly Expensive

Porto might have a reputation for being a cheap place to live, but most Expats report that they pay over twice as much for rent here than what they paid back home. And with the salary for an Expat not matching the cost of living, it can be difficult to save any money and prepare yourself financially for your return home.

The Weather Is Unpredictable

You might think that Porto has pretty nice weather since you’re by the ocean and lots of coastlines where you can enjoy the sun. However, Porto is a city that can be very cold and then have the next day be sunny with temperatures in the 60s.

In addition to this, Porto has lots of rainfall throughout the year, so you constantly have to prepare yourself for being caught in a sudden downpour when commuting from work or going out on the town.

It’s Hard To Meet People and Make Friends

Since Porto is such a large metropolitan area, it can be very difficult for Expats to find their niche and connect with locals.

Many Expats get frustrated that they cannot find a nightlife or social scene that matches the one back home, contributing to making them feel isolated. Also, since most Expats are here for only a year or two before they return home, it isn’t easy to make close friends.