Pros and Cons of Living in Lisbon
Last updated on Apr 21, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Lisbon, Portugal include its mild climate, its vibrant culture, its stunning architecture, its delicious cuisine, and its friendly people. On the other hand, the cons of living in Lisbon include its high cost of living, its traffic congestion, and its lack of job opportunities.
What are the pros and cons of living in Lisbon?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Lisbon responded:
"The weather is generally very good, access to goods and services makes it easy to live here. Covid has impacted everything of course which has made things more difficult. Health care is accessible and affordable. Learning the language has taken longer but English is often understood. There's access to lots of outdoors activities like cycling, hiking, water sports, which is important. There is an old world charm and a lot of history to learn about. Also access to other places in Europe make this location good. Previously lived in several countries in Asia. Europe also closer to the US for trips back- when possible again," wrote one expat in Lisbon.
"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the mild climate, beautiful scenery, and vibrant culture of Lisbon. They also enjoy the city's affordability, with its low cost of living and abundance of affordable housing. Additionally, the city's excellent public transportation system makes it easy to get around. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads may find the language barrier and bureaucracy challenging. Additionally, the city's nightlife can be quite noisy, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep," explained one expat living in Lisbon.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What should I pack when moving to Lisbon?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Lisbon?
- Will I be able to find a job in Lisbon?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do expats in Lisbon appreciate most about the local culture?
- What do expats find most challenging?
- Is there a lot of crime in Lisbon?
- Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Lisbon accepting of differences?
- What are the schools in Lisbon like?
- How are healthcare services in Lisbon?
- What are medical services in Lisbon like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Lisbon?
- What are emergency services like in Lisbon?
- Will I need to travel to see a specialist?
- Are common prescription medications available in Lisbon?
- How are local medical facilities in Lisbon?
- As a foreigner living in Lisbon, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
- What have your experiences during the pandemic with the local healthcare system been like?