Portugal Property

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Buy Portugal Property: 10 reasons

Date: 9/10/2008

Just taking the greater region around the inland city of Coimbra as an example of the kind of life you can enjoy, this article will demonstrate the high standard of living that can be achieved on a relatively small budget when you decide to move inland and live life in rural Portugal.

The standard of infrastructure away from the main tourism resort or cities does not deteriorate - roads, electric supply, the quality of the water etc., all remain the same and of a decent standard…this means that you will not suffer from shortages of water, power cuts or inaccessibility in the winter for example which should set your mind at rest!

Needless to say property in rural Portugal that’s away from the main resorts and towns and cities along the coast is far cheaper and there is a great choice of what’s available.  For many people the ideal of moving to a new country includes renovating a charming traditional property to its former glory and this is certainly possible in inland Portugal.  However, the one thing you need to keep in mind is that the further away from a large community you move, the less likely you are to find skilled tradespersons.  You may be lucky enough to have a jack of all trades builder who can do your renovation for you – but he is unlikely to be a qualified electrician or plumber for example, so do take care who you employ and get quotations before you agree to anything!

The region around the city of Coimbra is a perfect place to pick if you want the seclusion and peaceful way of life rural Portugal embodies but you want a large city within driving distance where you can buy essentials and enjoy a good day or night out before retreating to the sanctity of your idyllic home.  For those moving to Portugal with children who favour living away from the madding crowd then being within reach of Coimbra is a good idea for educational opportunities for your children as well as social opportunities that they’ll require as they get older.

In terms of the cost of living, shopping in the traditional markets and small shops in the rural heartlands of Portugal is not only a wonderful experience to have, but it actually means your money will go far further!  If you’re on a budget of say, EUR 1,000 a month you can live very comfortably and even afford to eat out at least once or twice a week and manage your bills for your home.

Even thought the climate in Portugal is absolutely idyllic and especially temperate in the summer, the further inland you move and the higher up you choose to live, the cooler the evenings will be and the harder the winters will seem.  You should consider budgeting for central heating if possible or have a wood burning stove that can heat your main living areas in the winter.

Many rural communities have local access to rudimentary medical services but if you’re ever in need of more serious or complex medical assistance you will need to travel to a larger town or city.  Coimbra has clinics, hospitals, dental practices etc., in abundance and if you have expatriate medical insurance then you can go privately and get seen quickly.

Living in Portugal you’re going to want to get the most out of the experience and in our opinion living life in rural Portugal offers one the chance to more closely experience and enjoy the very best elements of the country and its way of life.  Just imagine having a spacious home with unspoiled views, a large garden or even a small holding and all for far less than you’d pay on the coast or even in the UK.  Imagine buying your daily produce locally from the nearby market or even growing your own vegetables and fruit.  You can dine out on local cuisine in a cafe in your local village and you can sample the beautiful wines of the region inexpensively and what’s more, you can escape the hustle and bustle of your former life and forget all about the tourism influx that coastal Portugal endures annually. Source: Shelteroffshore

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