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While no country is a utopia, living in Portugal comes quite close! Our writer in Portugal would like to offer five great reasons to join him
When I first moved to Portugal, I had a clear idea in my mind of what things would be like. As with so many events in life, nothing turns out exactly as predicted, but the fact remains that there are many factors that make a life in Portugal a very pleasurable one. Here are five things that really stand out in my mind:
1. You can depend on the weather (at least in the South!)
One thing that surprises many people who move to a “hot” country is that they don’t end up spending every waking hour basking in the sun, as perhaps they expected to before the move. When the weather is consistent and reliable, it’s easy to lose that British sense of urgency to make the best of the sunshine while it’s there.
The Algarve sunshine; weather you can rely on
That consistency is a wonderful thing in another respect, however, which is that it is very rare in Portugal to have your plans spoiled by inclement weather. If you plan a trip to the beach, or a large family barbecue, sunshine is pretty much assured during the long summer. Further north you have to take your chances a little more.
2. Restaurant food is consistently good
While Portugal doesn’t offer the kind of culinary variety available in the UK, it’s really quite rare to find bad food in a restaurant, unless you inadvertently find yourself in a tourist trap.
It’s really quite rare to find bad food in a restaurant in Portugal.
If there is a criticism of Portuguese food, it’s usually because traditional restaurants have very similar menus and rarely innovate. The Portuguese know what they like and woe betide the restaurant in Portugal that cannot get these basics right, or overcharges. So a meal out is rarely a disappointing or expensive experience.
3. Nobody’s in too much of a hurry
The contrast between the frantic pace of the UK and the far more relaxed pace of Portugal is like night and day. Furthermore, this isn’t just comparing frenetic London with the slow-paced Algarve, it’s a general attitude of taking the time to enjoy life.
Of course there are busy and hectic places (as anyone who’s queued for the bridge into Lisbon will attest), but as a general rule Portugal doesn’t rush around like the UK – and this makes for a far more relaxing existence.
Pushing through traffic on the morning commute!
4. Simple pleasures cost next to nothing
It’s possible to enjoy yourself for very little money in Portugal. The weather and the beaches help, but so do inexpensive drinks and restaurant meals.
Most of all, however, it’s the café life that really stands out. I defy anyone to find a better espresso anywhere in the world, yet ours cost less than a euro. Delicious cakes? Also a euro, and lunch-sized tosta mistas for only a little more. This is a vast contrast to spending £10 in a UK coffee chain, and the low cost makes relaxing in these places an everyday luxury.
5. Children are welcome everywhere
Children are adored in Portugal, making it a fabulous place for youngsters and their parents.
Children are adored in Portugal, making it a fabulous place for youngsters and their parents.
In the Algarve, it’s perfectly normal to see young children out late at night for dinner, or playing around in town squares on festa nights until far later than would be seen as socially acceptable in the UK.
But there’s more to this than the hours children are allowed to keep. Kids in Portugal aren’t expected to be “seen and not heard”. They are an integral part of life, which is how it should be. It’s not until you’ve experienced Portugal that you realise just how lacking other nations can be when it comes to “child friendly.”
