Buying a Villa in the Algarve
Discussion
Following on from the similar thread about buying an apartment in Spain.
I have a place in Spain but due to Brexit and the benefits of Portugal's non-habitual resident (NHR) tax regime, I am seriously considering selling up in Spain and moving to the Algarve.
We prefer a quiet setting, with a sea view even if distant, and some local shops (5-10 min drive). We don't mind a longer drive to a big supermarket (up to 30 mins). We like walking and cycling. Prefer to be less than an hour from Faro Airport. We will always have a car when visiting. Would like to be no more than 30 mins from a decent hospital because I will be retirement age by the time we move.
Fibre based internet as an absolute requirement.
In Spain we are on a large complex (2,000 villa's, restaurants, shops, golf, tennis etc.) with decent security, which is reassuring. We're open to considering a similar situation or a completely independent property. If the latter, then I'd be seeking out a low crime area, if they exist?
I'm visiting Faro for the first time next week. Which locations should I explore and which are the most expensive/best value? We have a hire car.
I have a place in Spain but due to Brexit and the benefits of Portugal's non-habitual resident (NHR) tax regime, I am seriously considering selling up in Spain and moving to the Algarve.
We prefer a quiet setting, with a sea view even if distant, and some local shops (5-10 min drive). We don't mind a longer drive to a big supermarket (up to 30 mins). We like walking and cycling. Prefer to be less than an hour from Faro Airport. We will always have a car when visiting. Would like to be no more than 30 mins from a decent hospital because I will be retirement age by the time we move.
Fibre based internet as an absolute requirement.
In Spain we are on a large complex (2,000 villa's, restaurants, shops, golf, tennis etc.) with decent security, which is reassuring. We're open to considering a similar situation or a completely independent property. If the latter, then I'd be seeking out a low crime area, if they exist?
I'm visiting Faro for the first time next week. Which locations should I explore and which are the most expensive/best value? We have a hire car.
Thanks for starting this thread, it's something I've been meaning to do for a while.
Go slightly inland on your forthcoming travels, as well as the seaside places. I'm rather taken with a small town called Sao Bras de Aportel. Possibly got the spelling wrong, but it has quite a lot to offer.
Large hospital is always going to be a challenge. Closer to Lisbon is the more sensible health-related option if you have concerns.
Some of the seaside towns are absolutely not appealing year-round options. I've been drawn to places that have community life outside the holiday season. It'll be interesting to get some views here.
Does PH-er Algarve still post?
Go slightly inland on your forthcoming travels, as well as the seaside places. I'm rather taken with a small town called Sao Bras de Aportel. Possibly got the spelling wrong, but it has quite a lot to offer.
Large hospital is always going to be a challenge. Closer to Lisbon is the more sensible health-related option if you have concerns.
Some of the seaside towns are absolutely not appealing year-round options. I've been drawn to places that have community life outside the holiday season. It'll be interesting to get some views here.
Does PH-er Algarve still post?
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Thanks for starting this thread, it's something I've been meaning to do for a while.
Go slightly inland on your forthcoming travels, as well as the seaside places. I'm rather taken with a small town called Sao Bras de Aportel. Possibly got the spelling wrong, but it has quite a lot to offer.
Large hospital is always going to be a challenge. Closer to Lisbon is the more sensible health-related option if you have concerns.
Some of the seaside towns are absolutely not appealing year-round options. I've been drawn to places that have community life outside the holiday season. It'll be interesting to get some views here.
Does PH-er Algarve still post?
Thanks too for the advice. Go slightly inland on your forthcoming travels, as well as the seaside places. I'm rather taken with a small town called Sao Bras de Aportel. Possibly got the spelling wrong, but it has quite a lot to offer.
Large hospital is always going to be a challenge. Closer to Lisbon is the more sensible health-related option if you have concerns.
Some of the seaside towns are absolutely not appealing year-round options. I've been drawn to places that have community life outside the holiday season. It'll be interesting to get some views here.
Does PH-er Algarve still post?
Re. the Hospital. Nothing specific health related (yet) was just trying to cover all bases if possible.
Agreed, we don't want a seaside town.
Sao Bras de Alportel is only 20 mins from Faro so is now on our list to visit
I live in Carvoeiro, Lagoa now, Central Algarve.
Lagoa is lovely, it has some of the very best cove beaches and walks in the Algarve and voted best in Europe too recently - Praia Marinha, Albandeira, Benagil, Ferragudo and several others.
The largest hospitals locally are in Faro and Portimao but private clinics are everywhere and good. The largest Private Hospital in Alvor, next to Portimao. Only 12km from Lagoa. Faro Airport is 50km from Lagoa.
I had a home in Porches, near Armacao de Pera - also a lovely place, fishing village/tourist hotspot - but it had satellite internet/TV connection whereas my new Carvoeiro home is on fibre (200mb and 5G).
There is an English supermarket in Guia and Portimao. Lagoa is central to both. Shopping centres in Guia and Portimao and supermarkets everywhere.
For a Waitrose + type supermarket we have Apolonia, which is first class, in Lagoa and Guia. Michelin restaurants are mostly in Porches/Carvoeiro area but there are many really good local restaurants all over.
English expats tend to settle in Lagoa, West of Lagos and Tavira in the East but I hear English accents in residential suburbs on my cycle rides all over the place.
Tavira is nice, similar to many Spanish locations and it is pretty close to Spain, hour and a half to Seville.
Lagos is very nice but can be windy, which is true the further West you go, especially the West coast, Aljezur etc and I much prefer Central. Golf courses are everywhere but seem to be more concentrated in Vale de Lobo, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Almancil area - but I don't play golf and I just much prefer the coves and clifftops of Lagoa for cycling, walking and the small beaches are amazing. Water is slightly warmer in there too.
Messines is further inland but close, many expats there as well. Monchique is nice, more of a forest-type location, elevated, cooler.
I know pretty much the whole region, cycle 500 - 600km per week and so get around and have visited pretty much everywhere many times.
Edited to add: Silves is nice - the town - inland location but still only 20km from the beaches. Plenty of nice inland suburbs. Loule is popular, close to Faro.
Lagoa is lovely, it has some of the very best cove beaches and walks in the Algarve and voted best in Europe too recently - Praia Marinha, Albandeira, Benagil, Ferragudo and several others.
The largest hospitals locally are in Faro and Portimao but private clinics are everywhere and good. The largest Private Hospital in Alvor, next to Portimao. Only 12km from Lagoa. Faro Airport is 50km from Lagoa.
I had a home in Porches, near Armacao de Pera - also a lovely place, fishing village/tourist hotspot - but it had satellite internet/TV connection whereas my new Carvoeiro home is on fibre (200mb and 5G).
There is an English supermarket in Guia and Portimao. Lagoa is central to both. Shopping centres in Guia and Portimao and supermarkets everywhere.
For a Waitrose + type supermarket we have Apolonia, which is first class, in Lagoa and Guia. Michelin restaurants are mostly in Porches/Carvoeiro area but there are many really good local restaurants all over.
English expats tend to settle in Lagoa, West of Lagos and Tavira in the East but I hear English accents in residential suburbs on my cycle rides all over the place.
Tavira is nice, similar to many Spanish locations and it is pretty close to Spain, hour and a half to Seville.
Lagos is very nice but can be windy, which is true the further West you go, especially the West coast, Aljezur etc and I much prefer Central. Golf courses are everywhere but seem to be more concentrated in Vale de Lobo, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Almancil area - but I don't play golf and I just much prefer the coves and clifftops of Lagoa for cycling, walking and the small beaches are amazing. Water is slightly warmer in there too.
Messines is further inland but close, many expats there as well. Monchique is nice, more of a forest-type location, elevated, cooler.
I know pretty much the whole region, cycle 500 - 600km per week and so get around and have visited pretty much everywhere many times.
Edited to add: Silves is nice - the town - inland location but still only 20km from the beaches. Plenty of nice inland suburbs. Loule is popular, close to Faro.
Edited by TheAlgarveCyclist on Monday 31st May 20:52
TheAlgarveCyclist said:
I live in Carvoeiro, Lagoa now, Central Algarve.
Lagoa is lovely, it has some of the very best cove beaches and walks in the Algarve and voted best in Europe too recently - Praia Marinha, Albandeira, Benagil, Ferragudo and several others.
The largest hospitals locally are in Faro and Portimao but private clinics are everywhere and good. The largest Private Hospital in Alvor, next to Portimao. Only 12km from Lagoa. Faro Airport is 50km from Lagoa.
I had a home in Porches, near Armacao de Pera - also a lovely place, fishing village/tourist hotspot - but it had satellite internet/TV connection whereas my new Carvoeiro home is on fibre (200mb and 5G).
There is an English supermarket in Guia and Portimao. Lagoa is central to both. Shopping centres in Guia and Portimao and supermarkets everywhere.
For a Waitrose + type supermarket we have Apolonia, which is first class, in Lagoa and Guia. Michelin restaurants are mostly in Porches/Carvoeiro area but there are many really good local restaurants all over.
English expats tend to settle in Lagoa, West of Lagos and Tavira in the East but I hear English accents in residential suburbs on my cycle rides all over the place.
Tavira is nice, similar to many Spanish locations and it is pretty close to Spain, hour and a half to Seville.
Lagos is very nice but can be windy, which is true the further West you go, especially the West coast, Aljezur etc and I much prefer Central. Golf courses are everywhere but seem to be more concentrated in Vale de Lobo, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Almancil area - but I don't play golf and I just much prefer the coves and clifftops of Lagoa for cycling, walking and the small beaches are amazing. Water is slightly warmer in there too.
Messines is further inland but close, many expats there as well. Monchique is nice, more of a forest-type location, elevated, cooler.
I know pretty much the whole region, cycle 500 - 600km per week and so get around and have visited pretty much everywhere many times.
Edited to add: Silves is nice - the town - inland location but still only 20km from the beaches. Plenty of nice inland suburbs. Loule is popular, close to Faro.
Brilliant. Thank you.Lagoa is lovely, it has some of the very best cove beaches and walks in the Algarve and voted best in Europe too recently - Praia Marinha, Albandeira, Benagil, Ferragudo and several others.
The largest hospitals locally are in Faro and Portimao but private clinics are everywhere and good. The largest Private Hospital in Alvor, next to Portimao. Only 12km from Lagoa. Faro Airport is 50km from Lagoa.
I had a home in Porches, near Armacao de Pera - also a lovely place, fishing village/tourist hotspot - but it had satellite internet/TV connection whereas my new Carvoeiro home is on fibre (200mb and 5G).
There is an English supermarket in Guia and Portimao. Lagoa is central to both. Shopping centres in Guia and Portimao and supermarkets everywhere.
For a Waitrose + type supermarket we have Apolonia, which is first class, in Lagoa and Guia. Michelin restaurants are mostly in Porches/Carvoeiro area but there are many really good local restaurants all over.
English expats tend to settle in Lagoa, West of Lagos and Tavira in the East but I hear English accents in residential suburbs on my cycle rides all over the place.
Tavira is nice, similar to many Spanish locations and it is pretty close to Spain, hour and a half to Seville.
Lagos is very nice but can be windy, which is true the further West you go, especially the West coast, Aljezur etc and I much prefer Central. Golf courses are everywhere but seem to be more concentrated in Vale de Lobo, Quarteira, Vilamoura, Almancil area - but I don't play golf and I just much prefer the coves and clifftops of Lagoa for cycling, walking and the small beaches are amazing. Water is slightly warmer in there too.
Messines is further inland but close, many expats there as well. Monchique is nice, more of a forest-type location, elevated, cooler.
I know pretty much the whole region, cycle 500 - 600km per week and so get around and have visited pretty much everywhere many times.
Edited to add: Silves is nice - the town - inland location but still only 20km from the beaches. Plenty of nice inland suburbs. Loule is popular, close to Faro.
Edited by TheAlgarveCyclist on Monday 31st May 20:52
We visit a family owned property on the outskirts of Tavira every year (fingers crossed for the end of July). It's a very relaxed town that has improved a lot over the last 20 years.
Pissed off with the climate here in the UK, I'm interested in the pros and cons of the Golden Visa programme.
Pissed off with the climate here in the UK, I'm interested in the pros and cons of the Golden Visa programme.
Edited by Leithen on Tuesday 1st June 14:23
Leithen said:
We visit a family owned property on the outskirts of Tavira every year (fingers crossed for the end of July). It's a very relaxed town that has improved a lot over the last 20 years.
Pissed off with the climate, I'm interested in the pros and cons of the Golden Visa programme.
I was seriously considering the Golden Visa programme but there are changes for 2022 that make it less attractive. For me, it’s not being able to purchase a property in the Algarve to satisfy the investment requirement that will be the problem.Pissed off with the climate, I'm interested in the pros and cons of the Golden Visa programme.
https://nomadgate.com/2022-portugal-golden-visa-ru...
Double Fault said:
As a ballpark, for 4 bedrooms with a pool in a nice area.....what are we looking at price wise?
As already mentioned, for the Algarve, think 500k + but ...you can look for older properties that need renovating and updating to make a bit of a saving plus prices tend to be fairly negotiable and also, ideally, try and approach owners directly - the Agents charge 5% + tax commission here so knocking that off is what many locals do by avoiding them altogether. It can be all over the place though, in terms of what people will accept or what they want - there are some bargains, there are some overpriced speculator properties.
For example, I have a 4 bed with pool in Porches for sale with 3 local Agents at 725k - they wanted me to advertise for 749k - 799k but that's speculator stuff from what I see comparable in the area and unrealistic - but that means some properties out there are in dreamland price-wise. I will probably use it as a rental investment as it is ideally located for that but I have told Agents I'll sell it if a Buyer comes along but with covid I haven't committed yet, focussing upon the home I've just moved into 7km away. Neighbour, a Canadian investor, has an identical property on for 735k and other neighbour had a bank valuation recently at 749k.
I've told the Agents I would accept 695k. Now, I was approached by someone last month directly and I offered it for 660k because no commission, but I would have accepted 650k so less than I told the Agents but he couldn't raise the mortgage.
It's quite variable so if you see a property you like, just make an offer you think is fair and see if they bite. Does happen. It isn't like London or Amsterdam where my wife sold our apartment there last month for 100k over asking in a 20-person bidding war!
In!
We bought in Lagos in 2018 after two or three very brief visits, having holidayed in and around Albufeira for 25 years. I’m in Portugal as I type this - we got here yesterday - the first time for seven bloody months. If I can drag myself off the beach and stay out of the pool long enough I’ll type some more useful stuff. I’ll also delay the pruning, painting and that siliconing that needs doing...
We bought in Lagos in 2018 after two or three very brief visits, having holidayed in and around Albufeira for 25 years. I’m in Portugal as I type this - we got here yesterday - the first time for seven bloody months. If I can drag myself off the beach and stay out of the pool long enough I’ll type some more useful stuff. I’ll also delay the pruning, painting and that siliconing that needs doing...
The Inlaws have a villa in Guia, near Albufeira, it’s handy for everything, English supermarket, shopping centre, good beaches and some great restaurants. The downside is that it is very busy in the summer.
A friend has a villa near Sao Brás do Alportel and I prefer it up there, great views, near Loule for a supermarket, near Faro and Villamoura but it’s quiet.
A friend has a villa near Sao Brás do Alportel and I prefer it up there, great views, near Loule for a supermarket, near Faro and Villamoura but it’s quiet.
vixen1700 said:
I asked in the Spanish thread, but does anybody know much about the Silver Coast area?
Being coastal with mountain areas and not far from Lisbon and Porto seems ideal.
I'm a British living on the silver coast. Town of Alcobaca which is about 10km from Nazare (my nearest beach) I got in here Dec 19 (just in time before covid n Brexit).Being coastal with mountain areas and not far from Lisbon and Porto seems ideal.
The countryside is green and there's areas with lakes, and mountains. People are mostly easy going and quite a high percentage speak English. Prices are obviously cheaper than algarve for property and beer n vino too! i bought the apartment (two bed and parking) eleven years ago and rented it out long term. No problems. The town is a historic working town and not a quiet backwater.
Getting to Lisbon takes about 40 mins by car on the A8 (Toll road) can get a bus too which takes just over an hour non stop.
Like moving to any foreign land, the paperwork can be a pain, even with a local friend helping out. Things move a bit slower here. Fortunately I got my residents permit in Jan 20 before Brexit.
Best places for a local sea dip is probably São Martinho as it's in a natural bay. I've been to a few other places but when covid struck and lockdown happened my exploring has been restricted.
I did join the local tennis club so that helped with meeting and making new friends. My next thing will be to find some live music (I'm a guitarist) and try to elbow my way into that scene.
My town square
Nazare
Convert said:
Head east towards the general area of Tavira, we’ve been out there a few times, in the Cabanas de Tavira area.
What about Villa Real de Sant Antonio?Then you have the best if Portugal or nip over on the ferry to Ayamonte in Spain ?
I've stayed in both and went vice versa each time.
Bloody big river in Tavira means crossing bridges
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