Algarve - Best town to relocate in Algarve?

Best town to relocate in Algarve?

Printed From: Albufeira.com
Category: Tourism / Turismo
Forum Name: Algarve
Forum Description: Questions related to the Region... / Questões sobre o Algarve
URL: https://albufeira.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11805
Printed Date: 16/December/2025 at 14:27
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Best town to relocate in Algarve?

Posted By: GixxerMKD
Subject: Best town to relocate in Algarve?
Date Posted: 24/September/2020 at 21:24

Hi everybody,

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!

Replies:

Posted By: Jayjan
Date Posted: 25/September/2020 at 00:04

If your pushing more to Portimao or Lagos areas I suggest if you are a member of facebook do a search and join any pages which have Portimao or near areas in question. Same as other resorts, join them too ie: Albufeira/Faro areas . lots of info from expats who live in these areas. Good luck.

-------------
Polli the dancing cat strikes again.

Posted By: cubsur
Date Posted: 25/September/2020 at 07:48

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.

-------------
Albufeira Resident

www.algarvebus.info public transport information for the Algarve