Picareno
3/31/2017 13:05 EST
Greetings all,
I'm an American retiree who has visited and wanted to make the Luz Lagos Algarve area my new permanent home. Saw an awful lot of non Portuguese(Brits Yikes!) in Lagos, though and have been considering other coastal areas. I've also been struck by how difficult it is to fine a true year around rental in this popular tourist area. As a San Francisco native, I'm fine with cooler coastal weather. My question: is actually the title" how does Cascais compare to the more southern coast of Portugal for becoming a permanent resident? Cost, crowds, entertainment, weather, rental availability comparisons are all welcome by me.. Thanks in advance.
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Edomshep
3/31/2017 13:46 EST
Hello,
I live in California as well...Dana Point (Orange County) but grew up near the Bay Area. We are
planning to move Portugal this year. My parents are from Portugal and I am actually
a Portuguese citizen. The Algarve is a very popular area for retirees, especially from the UK. Cascais is beautiful and has slightly cooler water temps but not cool like SF. All of Portugal's coastal climate is comparable to the coast climates of central to southern CA. Cascais is very close to Lisbon, which I think is a bonus since Lisbon is an amazing city. There are some amazing property in Cascais which are expensive but also many affordable ones...believe a little more than Algave but maybe be very comparable depending on he area of Cascais. Areas a bit inland like 10 minutes from the beach are less expensive. You might want to also consider Sintra. It is up in the hills from Sintra. Only about 15-20 minutes to beach depending on what area you live in and less tourists although it can get busy a little in the summer. It has numerous castles and palaces...feels like a fairytale village. It is very artsy there as well. Cascais gets pretty crowded around beach areas in the summer. Sintra is one of our areas we are considering as well as Lisbon. There is an expat community in the Cascais/Sintra area but I believer less than the Algarve. I have lots of family in both areas and grew up visiting there often. Portugal is an amazing country and a hidden gem since most people don't think of visiting or living in our small country. I think you will love it. Let me know if you have any other questions. Feel free to private message as well- Elizabeth
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CascaisPortugal
3/31/2017 15:46 EST
Hi Picareno
As a long term Cascais resident, and also lived in the Algarve for 10 years, I can tell you the following:
Cascais has probably higher rents, but then again has a more "normal" life. Lots of entertainment, Going into Lisbon only takes you 30 min by train. Beautiful coastal scenery. There are plenty of expats if you want to mingle, but you don't have to bump into them everywhere ;-)
There's a great market in the centre of Cascais if you want to sniff some local culture on Wed and Sat.
What else would you like to know ?
If you use Facebook, join groups like
Residential Property Rentals & Sales Cascais And Nearby,
Local Services & News in Cascais / Sintra & Lisbon
You can find cheap rentals in an area called Sao Joao das Lampas, which is 25 km North of Cascais ( part of Sintra ) but you will probably need a car and maybe that's not your case.
Anyway, if I can be of any help, let me know.
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Jim2017
3/31/2017 23:12 EST
@ Picareno
"Brits Yikes" ??
Have you something against the British?
There are also a good number of French, German and other Non Portuguese immigrants in the Algarve. Or do Americans think the world is their own private travel destination and the rest of us should stay from whence we came?
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Picareno
4/1/2017 09:36 EST
Wow, not sure where the anti-American venom is coming from. I spent many happy years in London's Camden Town and Wales' LLangollen specifically because I wanted to immerse myself in British culture and the wonderful poetry and choral music of Wales. I would now like to experience, perhaps for the remainder of my life, the culture of Portugal. For me, that doesn't mean Bangers and Mash. If I went to Hong Kong and met nothing but Americans, I would be disappointed. Does this meet with your approval?
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Picareno
4/1/2017 09:43 EST
Thanks much to you and all who helped out. Yes, I've seen Youtubes of Cascais and thought much of the area also looked like the Central coast of California. When we visited, I think my husband was put off by the cool November winds, but it was like being back in California to me. We are both great lovers of classical music and jazz. From what I've read, Lisbon has terrific music festivals and it sounds as though Cascais would be closer to these then the southern Algarve. Is this correct and does anybody have any input on the Lisbon jazz and classical music scene? Thanks.
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Jim2017
4/1/2017 10:32 EST
@Picareno
Not so much as venom but frustration at seeing comments like yours on many Portugal Forums. Those included "OMG it was full of Brits" "Brits Yikes!" "Full of Limeys" etc etc. Unfortunately, nearly all seem to originate from Americans.
I regret that it seemed venomous but hopefully your fellow Americans will take note and refrain from expressing their total dismay at finding the British "got there first" :))
Maybe if Brexit goes all to heck, you might find the place almost a Brit Free Zone in a few years. Which would be a shame because the Brit retirees and visitors put an awful lot of money in to the local economy.
Anyway, best of luck with finding the right place to settle in Portugal.
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Sixyears
4/1/2017 12:35 EST
As with any country,people are all different. We are looking to move there and embrace those differences. We are Americans who have friends in England Ireland Scotland Holland and Germany. Please do not lump all Americans together.
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Jim2017
4/1/2017 15:41 EST
I don't lump all Americans together, I simply stated that most of the "full of Brits/Limeys" comments originate from Americans who post on various Portugal forums.
Would it be acceptable for me to post I wouldn't live in Cascais because it's full of "Yanks"? No, it would not! Nor would I dream of saying such a thing!
Like you, I have many American/International friends. I lived in the USA for 8 years so I know better than to assume all Americans are the same.
Some were even friendly towards us Brits .... even though we all have crooked teeth, don't shower, drink warm beer and live on bangers and mash ..... joke btw:)
Ta ta for now :)
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pbuck
4/3/2017 20:36 EST
I was trying to decide between vacationing with my husband in Cascais or Lagos, and I was disappointed to see some negative American comments. My mom was English so I am very much an Anglophile who still has relatives in England which I have always loved so I would like to say that most Americans are not so obnoxious. If one loves beautiful scenery, good swimming, quaint villages and good local food, which area, Cascais or Lagos, would be preferable for a week or so?
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ESprotte59
4/3/2017 23:15 EST
I recently stayed a Quinta Bonita near Lagos. Heaven.My wife and I could have stayed for a month. I know the owner if you are interested.
Erik
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Picareno
4/4/2017 00:13 EST
Two aspects of comparison you might consider are weather and culture. Cascais is on the western coast and more northerly than the southern coast of the Lagos areas. If you like warmer weather. Also Cascais is about 22 miles from Lisbon, so if you wish to indulge in "big city" museums and large music festivals, it would be a very short trip by car or public transportation. I'm also guessing that the southern coast is a bit more popular for tourists and might be more crowded. If you don't mind crowds, this obviously won't be a consideration. Hope this helps. Have fun. BTW, I'm American and glad you don't tar us all with the same brush.
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kawazaki
4/4/2017 03:55 EST
Most Americans are not obnoxious and I am doing my part to let the Portuguese people know we are OK. We tend to be impatient which could mean obnoxious to some.
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craigandmicki
4/4/2017 07:11 EST
Cascais offers easy access to some of Portugal's most beautiful areas, such as Sintra, Obidos and Lisbon. All are an easy train or bus ride from Cascais. Lagos and indeed the entire Algarve are a more beach-centric, built-up tourist area. Negative comments about the Algarve will always reference the preponderance of British residents...they tend to overwhelm the area in the summers with young drunken British kids being such a problem that the Portuguese police have required British police to come to the Algarve at certain high-season times to patrol their own citizens. Also, British residents are known for not tipping, having higher complaint rates and being rude. Simple truth--not everyone is like that but reputationally that's the overall impression.
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Countga
4/4/2017 07:21 EST
It is like comparing an apple to an orange. It depends that time of year one is visiting. Cascais can be great in the Spring/Summer. Lagos is generally pretty good year round. Cascais is probably the most expensive city in Portugal while Lagos is pretty standard in the Algarve area. There are beaches in Cascais & Lagos. There are expats in both places. Cascais gives one access via train directly to Lisbon. There are also trains & buses in the Algarve. There are quaint villages and good meals anywhere. For the Algarve read the book by Karl Bradshaw-White called Algarve Travel Guide, 54 Cities/Towns/ Villages. Hope that helps! countga
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