Thinking of movin to north portugal or northern spain - any advice or recommendations?

Question

parents are in 60s and1 has a breathing problem and needs oxygen every day - want a peaceful life to retire near the sea but without the lager louts to deal with in the summer. Any suggestions to areas to go or avoid would be welcome.

Answer 1

Move to the outskirts of Santander, it's nice and peaceful with beautiful views (if you move somewhere hear Noja or Carasa) yet within 20 minutes you can be in the city centre with all the shops you need (there's also a Corte Ingles/Hipercor which will deliver your groceries to you from there). There are lovely beaches and many restaurants without all the typical tourists. It won't be hot all year like the south of Spain but the summer will still be better than ours (as will the winter). Because there aren't many tourists, not many establishments will have english-speaking staff, so you'll probably need to learn a bit of Spanish. You can move there easily by hiring/borrowing a van (or filling your car a few times!!!) and sailing directly to Santander from Plymouth with Brittany Ferries.

Answer 2

I would recommend the Estoril - Cascais area on the coast to the West of Lisbon. You are close enough to Lisbon (which may be important if there might be health issues, and has plenty of flights in and out) but is a beautiful and quiet area, and generally "lager-lout free".

But if nice (less windy) beaches are important, then do not discount the Algarve. There are plenty of places that are away from the tourist traps, even without going far away from Faro (the biggest town and where the airport is). There are plenty of places to eat, visiting family will have loads of things to do, and more people speak English. There is also quite a busy ex-pat community if they would like that, as so many Brits retire there.

Answer 3

Have a look at Costa del la Luz on the west coast of Spain just south of Portugal. It is one of Spain's greatest secrets.
The sandy beaches are very wide are usually edged with trees, absolutely beautiful. There is a cool breeze from the Atlantic which is pleasant especially in the summer.
Prices are still very cheap and the only English you get there are the more discerning type. It is very green and the plant life is superb.
Have a look to the south near Tarifa. Wow! Heaven on Earth.
I know of many people who moved to Spain and their health improved incredibly (me included!). Good luck.

Answer 4

I would recomend Viana do Castelo if you come to north Portugal... you wont spend alot of money... the air is really clean around there, its a small and quite place with really nice people, when you look around you have 3 scenarios at left the river, front the ocean right and back the Santa Lusia mountain.
You can go on foot to almost everywere... the air is so clean compared to Oporto for example... well consider it =)
Going to Algarve probably is better but much much expensive...
And Portugal is a small country, you can get anywere rather quickly...

Answer 5

try the Algarve its in the south, Lagos is a quite town with no larger louts, its on the coast and the weather is good, locals are friendly and a lot speak English, its a peacefull place i have a apartement in the marina complex and i love it.Easy to get to from England flights every day about 2.3 hours, then about 1 hour from the airport

Answer 6

I prefer Spain to Portugal as it is both cleaner and safer.
In Northern Spain, I loved Santiago de Compostela, but you do get lots of tourists, esp. pilgrims, there.

Santander is less touristy, and has direct flights to London via Ryan Air. It also has loads of restaurants of varying cuisines.

Answer 7

4 n.portugal u need 2 know potugese
4 spain u need to know spanish

Answer 8

dearie me.. moving abroad.. a brit becoming a migrant..lol.. nah i'd suggest somewhere like norway. yes its colder but much nicer place

Answer 9

no