On this put up, I’ll share with you my ideas on the principle professionals and cons of dwelling in Lisbon, Portugal’s lovely capital.
With its year-round sunshine, atmospheric cobblestone streets, colourful tiled buildings, and wealthy cultural and culinary scene, Lisbon is a fairly wonderful place to reside, all issues thought-about. It’s one in all my favourite cities in Europe and I’ve spent numerous time there over the previous few years.
However, it’s not excellent. Nowhere is. Like all main capital metropolis, Lisbon comes with its personal set of benefits and drawbacks. General, I’d say the advantages of dwelling in Lisbon vastly outweigh the drawbacks. But it surely’s essential to contemplate a spread of various elements, which is what I’ll be doing right here.
15 Execs and Cons of Residing in Lisbon
When developing with this set of professionals and cons of dwelling in Lisbon, I relied largely alone private expertise of the town, and Portugal extra extensively. Having spent many weeks dwelling there myself, I do know Lisbon fairly effectively.
I even have a few associates who’re from Lisbon and have lived there most of their lives, so I’ve been in a position to get a neighborhood’s views on the town too. That can assist you resolve whether or not Lisbon could be an excellent place for you, right here’s a balanced view of life in Portugal’s capital.
Execs of Residing in Lisbon
There are lots of benefits of dwelling in Lisbon. Listed below are 10 of the most effective issues concerning the metropolis.
1. Inexpensive Value of Residing
Lisbon is a comparatively reasonably priced metropolis to reside in, a minimum of in contrast with different Western European capital cities. Your cash goes a lot additional right here than it could in, say, Paris, London, or Copenhagen.
It’s positively not as low-cost because it was once. And it’s nonetheless the costliest metropolis in Portugal to reside in. Town has seen fairly a little bit of value inflation over the previous couple of years, partly as a result of its reputation with digital nomads which has brought on a surge in rental costs.
But, regardless of this current value inflation (see beneath for more information on this), you possibly can nonetheless get pleasure from a top quality of life in Lisbon with out breaking the financial institution. Hire, meals, transport, and leisure are all comparatively reasonably priced.
2. Nice Climate
One of many issues I like most about Lisbon is its climate. Town enjoys a Mediterranean local weather with delicate winters and lengthy, sizzling summers. This implies you possibly can spend loads of time exterior having fun with the town’s many parks, gardens, and outside areas all year long.
Lisbon has greater than 300 sunny days per 12 months, making it one of many sunniest capital cities in Europe. The winters are delicate, with temperatures not often dropping beneath 10°C (50°F).
In the summertime, you possibly can anticipate lengthy days with loads of sunshine and temperatures averaging round 28°C (82°F). In case you love heat, sunny climate, Lisbon could possibly be the place for you!
3. Vibrant Tradition and Wealthy Historical past
As one of many oldest capital cities in Europe, Lisbon has a wealthy historical past and a vibrant tradition. From its gorgeous structure and charming neighborhoods to its museums and galleries, there’s all the time one thing new to find on this metropolis.
One in every of my favourite issues to do in Lisbon is simply wander round and get misplaced in its atmospheric again streets. It seems like exploring a historic film set or a dwelling museum; there’s one thing lovely and interesting round each nook.
Lisbon can also be an architectural gem, with its pastel-colored buildings, tiled facades, and grand monuments dotted all through the town. The picturesque Alfama district is particularly well-known for its conventional Moorish-style buildings and slim alleys that appear to move you again in time.
4. Gorgeous Seashores Close by
Not many capital cities can boast of getting gorgeous seashores only a quick distance away. However Lisbon is fortunate sufficient to have among the most lovely coastlines in Europe inside straightforward attain.
From the well-known browsing hotspot of Cascais to the picturesque city of Estoril, there’s no scarcity of attractive seashores to select from. Praia do Magoito is one in all my private favorites.
In case you’re a surfer, you’re in for a deal with with numerous incredible browsing spots dotted alongside the coast each north and south of the town. And in the event you’d choose one thing a bit extra stress-free, there are many seashores very best for swimming, sunbathing, and having fun with a sundowner because the solar units over the ocean.
5. Scrumptious Meals and Wine
Portuguese delicacies is usually ignored in favor of its Mediterranean neighbors, however it positively shouldn’t be! Lisbon’s meals scene is vibrant, various, and scrumptious.
As you’d anticipate for a coastal metropolis, recent seafood is usually the star of the present. However there are lots of different scrumptious native dishes to get pleasure from too, corresponding to cozido à portuguesa (a hearty stew), bacalhau (salted cod), and the well-known pastel de nata (custard tart).
Portugal additionally produces some wonderful wines, lots of which can be found for terribly affordable costs – particularly in the event you purchase them from a grocery store. Strive a glass or two of native vinho verde or Alentejo purple wine, my favourite.
6. Glorious Public Transport
Getting round in Lisbon is simple due to its environment friendly public transport system. Town has an in depth and interconnected community of buses, trams, metros, trains, and ferries that cowl all the most important areas.
The metro is particularly handy for getting round shortly and cheaply. It’s clear, low-cost, and trendy, and even connects to Lisbon Airport, which makes touring to and from the town a breeze. This implies you don’t want to fret about having a automobile, which is among the main professionals of dwelling in Lisbon.
Lisbon’s location can also be an excellent base for touring additional afield. Not solely is it well-connected with the remainder of Portugal, however you may get low-cost flights from right here to locations all throughout Europe and past.
7. Pleasant Locals
I do know it feels like a little bit of a cliche, however in my expertise, Portuguese folks actually are as pleasant as their status suggests. This even extends to residents of the massive metropolis.
I’ve discovered Lisbon locals to be extraordinarily welcoming and useful. It’s frequent for strangers to strike up conversations with you, and for folks to exit of their manner that can assist you discover what you’re on the lookout for. It’s simply a part of the town’s heat and welcoming tradition.
8. Vibrant Artwork and Music Scene
Lisbon hums with artistic power, from its world-renowned avenue artwork to eclectic music festivals. Portugal has a protracted custom of arts, literature, and music, which is mirrored within the energetic cultural scene within the metropolis.
You’ll be able to attend concert events, exhibitions, festivals, and different occasions all 12 months spherical. Fado tunes spill out of open home windows, and the streets typically flip into impromptu levels for native musicians and performers.
And, in the event you’re a fan of avenue artwork, Lisbon is unquestionably a metropolis for you. Its streets are full of colourful and thought-provoking items that add to the town’s already vibrant ambiance. There are even just a few organized excursions devoted to showcasing the most effective avenue artwork within the metropolis.
9. Security and Safety
Lisbon is one in all Europe’s most secure capital cities, with a comparatively low crime fee. After all, it’s all the time important to remain vigilant and follow commonsense precautions, however typically talking, Lisbon is a really protected metropolis to reside in.
I’ve all the time felt snug strolling across the metropolis alone at night time. Theft and petty crime will not be as frequent right here as in lots of different European cities; one of many many the explanation why it’s a terrific place to reside.
Lisbon is a widespread metropolis with digital nomads and different distant staff. There are folks dwelling right here from all around the world, which provides to the town’s various and cosmopolitan vibe.
This additionally signifies that there are many alternatives to fulfill different expats and make new associates. Many cafes, coworking areas, and group occasions cater particularly to this group, making it simpler for newcomers to combine into life in Lisbon.
Plus, having a community of like-minded people is all the time useful whenever you’re transferring to a brand new metropolis.
Cons of Residing in Lisbon
After all, nowhere is ideal. Whereas it’s a terrific metropolis total, there are actually just a few disadvantages of dwelling in Lisbon. Listed below are 5 of the principle ones.
1. Restricted Job Alternatives
In some sectors, the native job market can pose a problem, notably for these in search of high-paying roles. Salaries in Lisbon are typically decrease than in different Western European cities, and the unemployment fee is increased.
Nevertheless, that is slowly altering as increasingly worldwide firms arrange places of work in Lisbon. And with Portugal’s rising financial system and favorable enterprise local weather, there are alternatives for these prepared to place within the effort to search out them.
Nonetheless, you could discover it more durable to discover a good job right here in contrast with many different main cities in Europe. After all, in the event you’re a distant employee, digital nomad, and/or have your individual on-line enterprise, this isn’t more likely to be an enormous draw back to dwelling in Lisbon.
2. Crowded Vacationer Season
Lisbon is changing into an more and more widespread vacationer vacation spot, which might imply that the town middle will get fairly crowded throughout peak season – typically talking, from early June till late September.
That is much less of an issue in the event you reside a bit additional out from the principle touristy areas (Alfama or Bairro Alto), however it’s positively one thing to remember in the event you’re planning on dwelling centrally.
Costs for lodging and different necessities can even rise throughout this time, so finances accordingly. Fortunately, Lisbon is a comparatively reasonably priced metropolis total, so even throughout peak season, it’s nonetheless attainable to reside right here comfortably with out breaking the financial institution.
3. Winter Dampness
Winters in Lisbon are typically fairly delicate. Nevertheless, as a result of its location on the Atlantic coast, the town experiences pretty excessive ranges of humidity in the course of the winter months.
This, mixed with the cooler climate, can go away a humid chill in your bones. Dampness will also be an issue for older buildings and houses which could not be as well-ventilated.
Winter dampness is one thing I used to significantly hate about dwelling within the UK. I’d nonetheless relatively be in Lisbon than London in January, don’t get me fallacious. But it surely’s price bringing some good high quality heat clothes (and presumably investing in a dehumidifier on your residence) to fight the problem.
4. Advanced Paperwork
Each Portuguese particular person I do know has advised me how a lot they dislike the forms in Portugal. Typically it seems like getting something official finished (be it making use of for a residence allow, opening a checking account, or registering for healthcare) requires an infinite quantity of paperwork and ready.
The language barrier can even make this course of extra difficult. Many authorities officers and customer support representatives don’t communicate a lot English, so it may be useful to have a minimum of some fundamental information of Portuguese when coping with these issues.
Nevertheless, when you’ve navigated the forms and have all of your paperwork so as, issues typically run fairly easily. It’s only a matter of patiently leaping by way of just a few hoops to get there.
5. Rising Value of Residing in Standard Areas
As Lisbon’s reputation soars, so does its value of dwelling, notably in stylish neighborhoods. Hire costs in widespread areas have elevated considerably in recent times, making it tougher to search out reasonably priced housing than it was once.
In case you’re prepared to reside a bit additional out from the town middle or share an condo with others, it’s nonetheless attainable to search out moderately priced lodging. However you need to be practical about the kind of place you possibly can afford if you wish to reside tremendous central.
One other unlucky impact of rising lease prices is that it’s began to cost some locals out. Understandably, this may result in resentment in direction of the inflow of international (comparably rich) residents and vacationers. It’s a fancy subject, however one to be aware of if you wish to reside in Lisbon.
Is Residing in Lisbon Value It?
In case you’re on the lookout for a pleasant, heat, reasonably priced European capital metropolis with bucketfuls of tradition, tasty meals, a great deal of nice issues to see and do, and delightful seashores on the doorstep, Lisbon is fairly onerous to beat.
Naturally, there are just a few downsides to dwelling in Lisbon. Nevertheless, total I consider that the professionals vastly outweigh the cons. The life-style right here is relaxed and laid-back, however nonetheless vibrant and thrilling – it’s a terrific place to reside with a top quality of life. I’m certain you’ll adore it as a lot as I do!
