Best town to relocate in Algarve?

My name is Baze, i'm Macedonian freelance web developer, i've visited Portugal last September and i literally fell in love with the country. I was there for the World Superbikes race in Portimao, but i've traveled from here to Lisbon, and took rent a car to go all the way by the coast to Algarve. I've visited Sagres, Lagos, Alvor, Portimao, Albufeira.. and i loved every bit of it.

I've started the procedure to relocate in Portugal with my family (wife and 2 kids...3 in April), if everything goes as planned we will be moving over there by July/August next year. In order to get D7 visa i should find a apartment for rent on long term, so probably i'll be going there in March, to check out and make the arrangements. 

Can you please let me know what should i pay attention to, which town would you recommend? I loved Lagos, but in the talks with the locals they said it's pretty much dead in the winter. I also loved Portimao and Albufeira, but i haven't been to Faro so maybe i should consider it too? Basically i'm pushing more for Portimao since the racetrack is closer :) Anyway, i'm looking for a nice place to raise the kids, so any advice is appreciated.

thanks!

Faro is the biggest town in the region, population 65,000, but is far less attractive to English speaking residents than the popular holiday towns like Albufeira (25,000) and Lagos (30,000) because those places have English as a popular language because of the tourists. Portimão is the second biggest city, around 56,000 people and has all the amenities that may be expected in terms of shopping, transport and schools.

It is a good idea to come in March. It is one of the very quiet months in terms of tourists so you will be able to appreciate the feel of the towns without tourists.

It is important to understand that there is a lot of process in order to live here and most of the papers will only be in Portuguese. You should consider employing an agent who can help you with that. long term apartment rentals are not easy to find in many areas. Owners can make much more money renting them to tourists.