Hi there,

This is a question that I considered before moving as well.

What perhaps you don't realise - as I certainly didn't - is that there are options in between that give you the best of both worlds.

Cascais is beautiful, but very touristic and somewhat overrun during the summer months, while Lisbon, though small for a capital, is still the big city in Portugal, so can be difficult with younger kids.

I moved last year to Paco de Arcos, almost exactly in the middle of the two. I have a big shopping mall (Oeiras Park) 5 minutes drive away, the beach ten minutes walk away, parks and quiet spaces all around and a real local centre of small shops with an excellent butcher, baker and all the rest about a ten minute stroll down the road.

There are also a bunch of schools here, too.

I'd say take a look at everything from Cruz Quebrada along to Santo Amaro and you might find a great place. The prices are a teeny bit lower too.

Good luck!

 

Hi Sophie and MrKev
I'm currently living in South Africa considering relocating to Portugal for 6 months (or longer, no ties!) as of March next year. I am 100% mobile (self-employed, web-based home office) and I would very much appreciate every little bit of advice and guidance (cost of living, tax issues, internet quality, language, expat/local lifestyle, airport proximity, admin red tape etc.) to be in a position to make an informed decision.
Thanks in advance
Bruno