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Porto city the latest expat favourite
| Published: | 9 Aug at 6 PM |
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A recent survey has identified the Portuguese coastal city of Porto as the country’s most popular expat destination.
Portugal may not be as famous as Spain for its expat communities, but for years it’s been a favourite with British holidaymakers. Nowadays, the historic city of Porto is reinventing itself with chic and trendy eateries and wine bars, all attracting UK retirees and other expats. Portugal’s Atlantic coastline may not be as tempting as the beaches on the Spanish Costas, but Porto has a great deal to offer as regards its low cost of living, mild, cool climate, sandy beaches with great surfing and the ancient, historic old city area.
The survey noted its ‘big city style in a small package’, as well as highlighting concert halls, good hospitals and sports centres and noting the central area has only 250,000 residents. Porto’s residential suburbs are green and well-planned, with most just a short distance from the centre with its trendy restaurants, shopping facilites and easily-walkable historic sights.
For retirees living on a pension, the low cost of living in this highly liveable city is an attraction in itself.
It’s not just the Brits who’re choosing Porto as their new home, as US expats are now appreciating its charms and affordability as well. Heathcare is an important aspect to consider when choosing the best country for retirement, with Porto ticking all the boxes as regards costs of heathcare and service. Expats with a residence visa qualify for the country’s national heathcare system, available at far less cost than its USA equivalent. Clothing and everyday food costs are also far cheaper than in America.
Environmentally, Portugal’s second city is a treat, from the scenic riverfront with its famous wine cellar caves to the pretty, tiled architecture in the old city and the bohemian atmosphere in its Rua Miguel district. Getting around is easy via the metro, and the surrounding countryside boasts a stunning coastline and river gorges with soaring cliffs.
Portugal may not be as famous as Spain for its expat communities, but for years it’s been a favourite with British holidaymakers. Nowadays, the historic city of Porto is reinventing itself with chic and trendy eateries and wine bars, all attracting UK retirees and other expats. Portugal’s Atlantic coastline may not be as tempting as the beaches on the Spanish Costas, but Porto has a great deal to offer as regards its low cost of living, mild, cool climate, sandy beaches with great surfing and the ancient, historic old city area.
The survey noted its ‘big city style in a small package’, as well as highlighting concert halls, good hospitals and sports centres and noting the central area has only 250,000 residents. Porto’s residential suburbs are green and well-planned, with most just a short distance from the centre with its trendy restaurants, shopping facilites and easily-walkable historic sights.
For retirees living on a pension, the low cost of living in this highly liveable city is an attraction in itself.
It’s not just the Brits who’re choosing Porto as their new home, as US expats are now appreciating its charms and affordability as well. Heathcare is an important aspect to consider when choosing the best country for retirement, with Porto ticking all the boxes as regards costs of heathcare and service. Expats with a residence visa qualify for the country’s national heathcare system, available at far less cost than its USA equivalent. Clothing and everyday food costs are also far cheaper than in America.
Environmentally, Portugal’s second city is a treat, from the scenic riverfront with its famous wine cellar caves to the pretty, tiled architecture in the old city and the bohemian atmosphere in its Rua Miguel district. Getting around is easy via the metro, and the surrounding countryside boasts a stunning coastline and river gorges with soaring cliffs.
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