Best Places to Live in Portugal After 55: My Personal Guide

Best Places to Live in Portugal

When I decided to retire in Portugal, choosing the best places to live in Portugal was just as important as securing my visa or figuring out my budget. The country has so many diverse regions, each offering unique experiences. I want to share my personal journey exploring these areas and what I learned, so other retirees over 55 can make informed choices.

How I Narrowed Down My Options

Portugal offers many options for retirees. In order for me to plan wisely, I considered the following factors:

• Cost of living: Housing, utilities, groceries, and healthcare
• Climate: Preference for mild winters and warm summers
• Healthcare: Access to public and private medical facilities
• Community: Presence of expats, social activities, and friendliness
• Lifestyle: Cultural activities, restaurants, beaches, and outdoor recreation

By scoring each location on these factors, I identified towns that fit my retirement goals. Keeping these in mind helped me narrow down my options.

My Top Picks of the Best Places to Live in Portugal

1. Silver Coast (Costa de Prata)

The Silver Coast quickly became my favorite. Smaller towns like Nazaré and Caldas da Rainha offer affordable living and authentic Portuguese life.

• Pros: Lower costs than Algarve, fewer tourists, great climate, peaceful atmosphere.
• Cons: Some areas have limited healthcare access, may require travel to larger towns.
• Why I love it: Affordable, relaxed pace, beautiful beaches
• Housing: Rent €700–€900/month for a one-bedroom; buying €1,500–€2,500/m²
• Healthcare: Good local clinics; major hospitals nearby
• Community: Mixed expats and locals, very welcoming
• Lifestyle: Walking paths, fresh seafood markets, local festivals

I found that living in the Silver Coast gives me a perfect balance of community, pace, and affordability.

Example: I rented a small apartment in Nazaré for six months, allowing me to test the area. I loved the community vibe and access to both beaches and cultural activities.

2. Algarve Region

Many retirees flock to the Algarve for sun and beach. I rented a place here for a summer trial and loved it.

• Pros: Beautiful beaches, sunny weather, established expat communities, golf and leisure activities.
• Cons: Higher prices in peak season, can feel touristy.
• Why retirees like it: Warm climate, international expat community
• Housing: Rent €900–€1,500/month; buying €2,500–€4,000/m² in popular towns
• Healthcare: Excellent private hospitals; public clinics available
• Community: Many retirees from Northern Europe
• Lifestyle: Golf, beaches, nightlife, and restaurants

For me, the Algarve is ideal for seasonal living or summer months, but I prefer quieter towns for year-round life.

Example: I spent a month in Lagos to compare lifestyle. While the weather was amazing, the higher cost made me reconsider for long-term retirement.

3. Porto Region

Porto captured my heart with its history, riverfront, and more affordable living compared to Lisbon.

• Pros: Lower costs, rich culture, good expat networks, cooler summers.
• Cons: Rainier winters, smaller international airport compared to Lisbon.
• Why I considered it: Historic city, cultural life, slightly cooler climate
• Housing: Rent €700–€1,000/month; buying €2,000–€3,500/m²
• Healthcare: Large hospitals and specialist services
• Community: Young population and some expat groups
• Lifestyle: Cafes, riverfront, museums, and local markets

I spent several weeks in Porto, and it felt manageable, lively, yet calmer than Lisbon.

Example: Renting near Ribeira allowed me to enjoy city life, but I realized I preferred quieter coastal towns for daily living.

4. Lisbon Suburbs

Lisbon is vibrant, full of culture, and has excellent amenities. I spent a few months here exploring neighborhoods and realized:

• Pros: Great healthcare access, plenty of cultural events, English widely spoken, walkable city center.
• Cons: High cost of living, crowded, tourist-heavy in the summer.
• Why I considered it: Access to major amenities without city hustle
• Housing: Rent €900–€1,300/month; buying €3,000–€4,500/m²
• Healthcare: Excellent hospitals and clinics
• Community: Diverse expat and local communities
• Lifestyle: Cultural events, historic architecture, cafes

I eventually decided that while I loved Lisbon’s energy, I preferred something quieter for daily life.

Example: I stayed in Cascais for a short period. The amenities were amazing, but higher costs and city pace made it less ideal for long-term retirement.

5. Inland Towns (e.g., Évora)

The interior regions, like Alentejo, are truly tranquil.

• Pros: Lowest cost of living, authentic lifestyle, wide open spaces.
• Cons: Limited public transport, fewer English-speaking doctors, slower pace.
• Why retirees like it: Very affordable, slow pace, authentic Portuguese culture
• Housing: Rent €400–€600/month; buying €1,000–€1,800/m²
• Healthcare: Local clinics; hospitals nearby
• Community: Small, tight-knit local community
• Lifestyle: Historical towns, slower pace, less touristy

I visited a few inland towns and loved the peacefulness, but I personally prefer having more accessible healthcare and social options nearby.

Example: I visited Évora for two weeks to experience inland life. While peaceful and cheap, I missed quick access to beaches and coastal activities.

Coastal vs. City Living: My Take

From my personal experience:

• Coastal towns are great for climate, leisure, and moderate expat communities. Perfect if you enjoy walking, beaches, and slower pace.
• Cities like Lisbon and Porto offer more services, cultural activities, and healthcare, but come with higher costs and busier environments.
• The Inland Regions are affordable and peaceful, ideal for those seeking quiet retirement, but accessibility can be an issue.

My Decision Factors

I eventually chose the Silver Coast because it it balanced affordability, healthcare access, community, and lifestyle perfectly:

• Affordable housing without sacrificing quality
• Mild climate with access to beaches
• Good healthcare services and local clinics
• Friendly community with a mix of locals and expats
• Lifestyle activities like walking paths, fresh markets, and festivals

I rented for six months first, which confirmed my choice before buying a property.

Community and Integration

No matter where you live, I found community matters most. I actively joined local clubs, cafes, and expat groups. For example, meeting neighbors at the market or joining language exchange groups helped me feel at home quickly.

I also learned Portuguese gradually, which improved daily interactions and made me feel more integrated.

Actionable Tips for Choosing Your Ideal Location

1. Visit multiple regions before committing.
2. Test renting first to see if the area fits your lifestyle.
3. Consider healthcare access for both routine and emergency needs.
4. Budget realistically for rent, utilities, groceries, and leisure.
5. Check community resources: expat groups, clubs, and social activities.
6. Assess transport options: proximity to airports, buses, and train stations.
7. Factor in climate preferences for seasonal enjoyment.

My Criteria Checklist

When evaluating towns or cities for the best places to live in Portugal, I created a simple checklist for myself:

• [x] Affordable housing
• [x] Access to healthcare
• [x] Walkable streets or good transport
• [x] Friendly community and neighbors
• [x] Enjoyable climate

Using this checklist helped me make a confident decision and avoid moving to a place that looked good on paper but wasn’t right in real life.

Thoughts on the Best Places to Live in Portugal

Finding the best places to live in Portugal was a personal journey of exploring cities, towns, and coastal villages. For me, it’s not just about affordability or services; it’s about feeling at home, safe, and comfortable.

Living on the Silver Coast provides a wonderful balance: access to healthcare, reasonable costs, a friendly community, and the lifestyle I wanted for retirement. I encourage anyone over 55 planning to retire here to visit multiple areas, use a checklist, and trust their own experience to choose the best place for their unique needs.