We are confused about where to stay

Hi Sanoberplumber,

Welcome on board !

Please note that I have created a new thread from your post on the Portugal forum so that you might have some feedback.

Till members provide you some insights, I believe that you could get some useful information by reading the articles under the Accommodation in Portugal section of the Guide.

all the very best,

Bhavna

Hi Sanoberplumber,

Maybe this will help you. Some Kiwi contacts there:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 60#5471467

(Post #16)

As for cities, south of Lisbon, Setubal can be interesting, as well as Palmela, Azeitão, Quinta do Peru, ...

Best Regards

I'd suggest Tomar, old/new town divided by river, mainline train to Lisbon etc, mix of expats in the surrounding area, schools, bars, resturants, park old old buildings, caste on top of hill, a few BIG supermarkets, bull ring, spend a month or so there and day (or longer)  trips to places like Coimbra (old town with river etc etc.). Sliver coast beaches accessed by new non-toll road so 40ish mins to where the largest wave ever surfed

I would have a look at places like Torres Vedras, Bombarral, Caldas da Rainha. They all have excellent connections to Lisbon, where most Expats live, and they are all a reasonable distance from beaches. Torres Vedras is very good because it has a two private hospitals, many supermarkets, some restaurants and bars. There is also a golf course nearby and the the bus takes you to Lisbon is little over 35 minutes.

Hi, I can only reinforce what Strontium has suggested. I live in Tomar, (not NZ or Ozzie, but South African), and attest to the fact that it has excellent infrastructure, several hospitals, a lot of supermarkets and farmers' markets, and the old town centre is a real pleasure. I live near Paialvo, a small town about 15 minutes from Tomar and I have 2 railways stations within 900 metres of my house. The highway to Lisbon is also 10 minutes from the house. 

Personally I chose the location because, while it has tourists and a reasonable number of expats, I am not surrounded by them, and can take on the Portuguese lifestyle.

While it is not near the beach, beaches and the lake, Zezere, etc. are equidistant, it has several national parks (if you are into an outdoor lifestyle), and a whole number of museums, cathedrals, etc.

As a bonus the rent and prices of houses is still modest by European and Portuguese standards, although as this is recognised prices have started to rise. 

Good luck and any further advice needed, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Thank you guys for your replies and suggestions...we hope to make our minds up soon as we need to start issuing our papers by the end of the year for the D7. If we have any further questions we will reach out...thanks again ❤️