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Find Out Why Porto, Portugal, Is Our Dream Overseas Location
Kat Kalashian
Clearly the Celts, Romans, and Moors knew something long before the rest of us. With abundant sunshine, stunning architecture, and affordable prices, the secret is out: Portugal is a top retirement destination.
A few years before my husband's retirement, and after extensive discussions over many glasses of wine, we decided to move overseas. The criteria for our new home required that it:
- Welcomed foreigners…
- Had top quality health care…
- Was within our retirement budget…
- Promoted a healthy lifestyle…
- Served as a gateway to our explorations of Europe.
Would Portugal fit the bill?
Only one way to tell: We booked a flight to Lisbon.
And then, we fell in love.
Whereas most expats settle in the capital city or along the western or southern coasts—the Algarve is particularly popular—we chose the city of Porto in the north.
Porto's history is centuries deep, and with that history comes incredible architecture—from the stunning interior of the Palácio da Bolsa to the vaulted arches of the Sé do Porto. But there's much more to this city than postcard photo ops.
As mentioned earlier, one of our ‘must haves’—to improve our health and reduce our ever-spreading waistlines—was a ready source of fresh produce, meat, and fish. Porto has us covered. Within a few minutes walking distance of our apartment are numerous mom-and-pop produce and butcher shops. And despite being in the heart of the city, prices are affordable.
Porto is very affordable.
Porto Is Very Affordable
Each Saturday the Mercado Porto Belo sets up near the University of Porto and Livraria Lello—the bookshop immortalized by J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series. The airy square is an ideal location, ringed by restaurants and shops.
Porto has always been willing to share its treasures with newcomers. For us, part of the fun of living here has been seeking out these markets, both the recurring ones and those that pop up every now and then. After a successful scouting trip, we proudly carry home our plunder for truly memorable and healthy meals—or to furnish our apartment with unique finds. It's all part of our new life in one of the most vibrant countries in the Old World.
Jana Oliver and Harold Buehl
