15 Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Lisbon

On this put up, I’ll share with you my ideas on the principle professionals and cons of residing 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 reasonably wonderful place to dwell, all issues thought of. It’s one in every of my favourite cities in Europe and I’ve spent various 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. Total, I’d say the advantages of residing in Lisbon vastly outweigh the drawbacks. But it surely’s vital to contemplate a spread of various elements, which is what I’ll be doing right here.

15 Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Lisbon

When arising with this set of professionals and cons of residing in Lisbon, I relied largely by myself private expertise of town, and Portugal extra broadly. Having spent many weeks residing there myself, I do know Lisbon fairly effectively.

I even have a few buddies who’re from Lisbon and have lived there most of their lives, so I’ve been capable of get an area’s views on town too. That will help you resolve whether or not Lisbon could be a great place for you, right here’s a balanced view of life in Portugal’s capital.

Execs of Dwelling in Lisbon

There are a lot of benefits of residing in Lisbon. Listed below are 10 of the very best issues concerning the metropolis.

1. Reasonably priced Price of Dwelling

Lisbon is a comparatively reasonably priced metropolis to dwell in, at the very least in contrast with different Western European capital cities. Your cash goes a lot additional right here than it will in, say, Paris, London, or Copenhagen.

It’s undoubtedly not as low cost because it was once. And it’s nonetheless the costliest metropolis in Portugal to dwell in. Town has seen fairly a little bit of worth inflation over the previous few years, partly because of its recognition with digital nomads which has triggered a surge in rental costs.

But, regardless of this current worth inflation (see beneath for more information on this), you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in 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 gentle winters and lengthy, sizzling summers. This implies you’ll be able to spend loads of time exterior having fun with 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 gentle, with temperatures hardly ever dropping beneath 10°C (50°F).

In the summertime, you’ll be able to count on lengthy days with loads of sunshine and temperatures averaging round 28°C (82°F). When you love heat, sunny climate, Lisbon might 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 beautiful structure and charming neighborhoods to its museums and galleries, there’s at all times one thing new to find on this metropolis.

Certainly one of my favourite issues to do in Lisbon is simply wander round and get misplaced in its atmospheric again streets. It looks like exploring a historic film set or a residing 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 town. The picturesque Alfama district is very well-known for its conventional Moorish-style buildings and slender alleys that appear to move you again in time.

4. Beautiful Seashores Close by

Not many capital cities can boast of getting beautiful seashores only a brief distance away. However Lisbon is fortunate sufficient to have among the most lovely coastlines in Europe inside simple attain.

From the well-known browsing hotspot of Cascais to the picturesque city of Estoril, there’s no scarcity of beautiful seashores to select from. Praia do Magoito is one in every of my private favorites.

When you’re a surfer, you’re in for a deal with with numerous improbable browsing spots dotted alongside the coast each north and south of town. And in case you’d desire one thing just a little extra stress-free, there are many seashores splendid 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 neglected in favor of its Mediterranean neighbors, however it undoubtedly shouldn’t be! Lisbon’s meals scene is vibrant, various, and scrumptious.

As you’d count on for a coastal metropolis, recent seafood is usually the star of the present. However there are lots of different scrumptious native dishes to take pleasure in too, resembling cozido à portuguesa (a hearty stew), bacalhau (salted cod), and the well-known pastel de nata (custard tart).

Portugal additionally produces some glorious wines, a lot of which can be found for very cheap costs – particularly in case you purchase them from a grocery store. Attempt a glass or two of native vinho verde or Alentejo pink wine, my favourite.

6. Wonderful Public Transport

Getting round in Lisbon is straightforward because of its environment friendly public transport system. Town has an intensive and interconnected community of buses, trams, metros, trains, and ferries that cowl all the main areas.

The metro is very 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 town a breeze. This implies you don’t want to fret about having a automobile, which is among the main professionals of residing in Lisbon.

Lisbon’s location can also be a great base for touring additional afield. Not solely is it well-connected with the remainder of Portugal, however you will get low cost flights from right here to locations all throughout Europe and past.

7. Pleasant Locals

I do know it seems 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 widespread for strangers to strike up conversations with you, and for folks to exit of their approach that can assist you discover what you’re in search of. It’s simply a part of town’s heat and welcoming tradition.

8. Vibrant Artwork and Music Scene

Lisbon hums with inventive 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 full of life cultural scene within the metropolis.

You possibly can attend live shows, exhibitions, festivals, and different occasions all 12 months spherical. Fado tunes spill out of open home windows, and the streets usually flip into impromptu phases for native musicians and performers.

And, in case you’re a fan of avenue artwork, Lisbon is certainly a metropolis for you. Its streets are full of colourful and thought-provoking items that add to town’s already vibrant environment. There are even a number of organized excursions devoted to showcasing the very best avenue artwork within the metropolis.

9. Security and Safety

Lisbon is one in every of Europe’s most secure capital cities, with a comparatively low crime fee. In fact, it’s at all times important to remain vigilant and observe commonsense precautions, however usually talking, Lisbon is a really protected metropolis to dwell in.

I’ve at all times felt snug strolling across the metropolis alone at evening. Theft and petty crime aren’t as widespread right here as in lots of different European cities; one of many many the reason why it’s an amazing place to dwell.

Lisbon is a well-liked metropolis with digital nomads and different distant staff. There are folks residing right here from everywhere in the world, which provides to town’s various and cosmopolitan vibe.

This additionally implies that there are many alternatives to satisfy different expats and make new buddies. Many cafes, coworking areas, and neighborhood occasions cater particularly to this neighborhood, making it simpler for newcomers to combine into life in Lisbon.

Plus, having a community of like-minded people is at all times useful while you’re shifting to a brand new metropolis.

Cons of Dwelling in Lisbon

In fact, nowhere is ideal. Whereas it’s an amazing metropolis general, there are actually a number of disadvantages of residing 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, significantly for these in search of high-paying roles. Salaries in Lisbon are usually decrease than in different Western European cities, and the unemployment fee is increased.

Nonetheless, that is slowly altering as increasingly more worldwide corporations arrange workplaces in Lisbon. And with Portugal’s rising economic system and favorable enterprise local weather, there are alternatives for these prepared to place within the effort to seek out them.

Nonetheless, it’s possible you’ll discover it more durable to discover a good job right here in contrast with many different main cities in Europe. In fact, in case you’re a distant employee, digital nomad, and/or have your personal on-line enterprise, this isn’t prone to be an enormous draw back to residing in Lisbon.

2. Crowded Vacationer Season

Lisbon is turning into an more and more well-liked vacationer vacation spot, which might imply that town middle will get fairly crowded throughout peak season – usually talking, from early June till late September.

That is much less of an issue in case you dwell just a little additional out from the principle touristy areas (Alfama or Bairro Alto), however it’s undoubtedly one thing to bear in mind in case you’re planning on residing centrally.

Costs for lodging and different necessities may also rise throughout this time, so finances accordingly. Fortunately, Lisbon is a comparatively reasonably priced metropolis general, so even throughout peak season, it’s nonetheless attainable to dwell right here comfortably with out breaking the financial institution.

3. Winter Dampness

Winters in Lisbon are usually fairly gentle. Nonetheless, because of its location on the Atlantic coast, town experiences pretty excessive ranges of humidity in the course of the winter months.

This, mixed with the cooler climate, can depart a moist 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 noticeably hate about residing within the UK. I’d nonetheless quite be in Lisbon than London in January, don’t get me improper. But it surely’s price bringing some good high quality heat clothes (and probably investing in a dehumidifier to your residence) to fight the difficulty.

4. Complicated Paperwork

Each Portuguese particular person I do know has informed me how a lot they dislike the forms in Portugal. Typically it looks like getting something official accomplished (be it making use of for a residence allow, opening a checking account, or registering for healthcare) requires an countless quantity of paperwork and ready.

The language barrier may also make this course of extra difficult. Many authorities officers and customer support representatives don’t converse a lot English, so it may be useful to have at the very least some fundamental data of Portuguese when coping with these issues.

Nonetheless, when you’ve navigated the forms and have all of your paperwork so as, issues usually run fairly easily. It’s only a matter of patiently leaping via a number of hoops to get there.

5. Rising Price of Dwelling in Standard Areas

As Lisbon’s recognition soars, so does its price of residing, significantly in stylish neighborhoods. Hire costs in well-liked areas have elevated considerably in recent times, making it more difficult to seek out reasonably priced housing than it was once.

When you’re prepared to dwell just a little additional out from town middle or share an condominium with others, it’s nonetheless attainable to seek out moderately priced lodging. However you have to be lifelike about the kind of place you’ll be able to afford if you wish to dwell tremendous central.

One other unlucky impact of rising lease prices is that it’s began to cost some locals out. Understandably, this will result in resentment in direction of the inflow of international (comparably rich) residents and vacationers. It’s a posh problem, however one to be conscious of if you wish to dwell in Lisbon.

Is Dwelling in Lisbon Price It?

When you’re in search of 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 exquisite seashores on the doorstep, Lisbon is fairly onerous to beat.

Naturally, there are a number of downsides to residing in Lisbon. Nonetheless, general I consider that the professionals vastly outweigh the cons. The approach to life right here is relaxed and laid-back, however nonetheless vibrant and thrilling – it’s an amazing place to dwell with a top quality of life. I’m positive you’ll find it irresistible as a lot as I do!