Oh yes. An A energy rating. Rare indeed. We are ready to accept a much lower rated apartment just to have a place to land in Portugal. C, D, and E rated apartments seem to be plentiful. Hopefully, the apartment we offered to lease will come through. It has an elusive A rating to boot. All the best in finding that place to call home.
I'm with you in finding Braga charming. That was my original plan for where to move. I think that's why Julie suggested I stay with her instead, so I could come to my senses and realize I'm still too young to live in Braga! :)
I have to admit that I don't see what other people see in Coimbra. It presents quite a lovely view from across the river and it's nice to visit, but it's quite quiet for a college town. The people I know there complain that there's a surprising lack of cultural events. The downtown has been hollowed out as tourists moved in and locals left for the suburbs. Just like our neighborhood has the worst version of every grocery store, since few of our neighbors cook or clean for themselves (although your minipreco is vastly superior to mine!), the shops in downtown Coimbra are convenience stops for people who drive out to the suburbs to do their shopping. You won't regret going for a visit, though.
Have you considered Caldas da Rainha? It's been one of the few cities here where the downtown feels truly lived in. It's compact enough that the new houses on the edge of town are still a 15 minute walk from the city center. There's a daily farmers market and an abundance of grocery stores in town, not way out in the suburbs, along with practical things Coimbra and Braga lack (like a good pet supply store!). It has a nice expat community and a friend mentioned going to a board game night recently. They're always organizing something and there have been events whenever I've gone. I appreciate that it's fairly flat and is another a college town. There are lots of nearby villages and destinations that are reachable by transit as a day trip, which includes lots of hiking trails, the lagoon, and the beach. It's an hour away from Lisbon with frequent train and bus service, both stations being right downtown (unlike Coimbra, which requires a bus, cab, or a good 15 minute walk).
We met many of the expats in Braga, and yes, they are not your age group. So Julie has that right. But you're also not the average person of your age, so there's that.
Thank you so much for your take on Coimbra. Will definitely keep that in mind when we stop by.
Calda da Rainha is just far enough away to be hard to get into Lisbon, and doesn't have enough of its own specialists in the medical field to work for us, otherwise it would be on the list!
Thank you so much, Cori, for your thoughtful reply!
Good luck with the ongoing detective work. I know you will make the right decision for you - just like with a college search. Match matters most! Outside of Coimbra, a great center of university learning since the 16th century, is a significant Roman remain: Conimbriga. Coimbra also provides comparatively easy access to Figueira da Foz, with some well-regarded beaches for summer recreation. Enjoy the look-about!
Hey Scott, if you decide to stay in Lisboa. Get a place away from the coast (think Louisiana flooding). That area of the ocean has also been the one most often shaken by earthquates. I'm just full of good news. That being said, this ia small but beautiful country.
Have you and Amy traveled anywhere inland? Have you been to Evora? In Braga, have you been to Bom Jesus.
Coimbra is a beautiful city but the hills are a challenge! You could do what our Indiana friends Mike & Mary did and commit to renting in each place for 1 year before making an investment. You will never truly know the city until you live there for a year. I realize this is a hassle...hey we discarded that advice and bought in VRSA after only 11 months (it just felt like home after only a few days)...but it will give the PT housing market time to “correct”. Every indication is that prices will come down in 2023.
I agree with pretty much everything you say here. We do have time for the market to (hopefully) settle down some and I don't think we're willing to put up with the hassle of moving that frequently. We have learned much from your posts over the last year. Thank you!
Great post on sharing your thoughts on finding your next home in Portugal. It’s a very stressful process, especially with rents rising. We are going through the same thing. We want to move again but it’s a jungle out there.
It's always challenging to make a big move like this, but it sounds like you've got a good idea of what you're looking for in terms of location, lifestyle, and budget. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.
I hope that the realtor you mentioned was helpful in pointing you in the right direction, and I'm sure Coimbra will be a great place to explore.
I wish you all the best in your search and hope that you find the perfect pad in Portugal.
We are exceedingly fortunate in our realtor. For this rental we had 6 real estate agents. None listened, none cared, none did much work. She heard us, showed us two apartments (video), advised us perfectly, and bam, here we are.
Looking forward to coming along for the ride! We’re similarly inclined to the north, the coast, energy efficiency, public transport, and community. But also really open to living in a rural location. I’m sure you’ll find a great place!
Just a note to say that is not the Sé of Braga.
Whoops! Right you are. Changing the photo. Thank you!
Huh. I found it online as such, and went with it. Never trust online!
Oh yes. An A energy rating. Rare indeed. We are ready to accept a much lower rated apartment just to have a place to land in Portugal. C, D, and E rated apartments seem to be plentiful. Hopefully, the apartment we offered to lease will come through. It has an elusive A rating to boot. All the best in finding that place to call home.
Fingers crossed to you!
I'm with you in finding Braga charming. That was my original plan for where to move. I think that's why Julie suggested I stay with her instead, so I could come to my senses and realize I'm still too young to live in Braga! :)
I have to admit that I don't see what other people see in Coimbra. It presents quite a lovely view from across the river and it's nice to visit, but it's quite quiet for a college town. The people I know there complain that there's a surprising lack of cultural events. The downtown has been hollowed out as tourists moved in and locals left for the suburbs. Just like our neighborhood has the worst version of every grocery store, since few of our neighbors cook or clean for themselves (although your minipreco is vastly superior to mine!), the shops in downtown Coimbra are convenience stops for people who drive out to the suburbs to do their shopping. You won't regret going for a visit, though.
Have you considered Caldas da Rainha? It's been one of the few cities here where the downtown feels truly lived in. It's compact enough that the new houses on the edge of town are still a 15 minute walk from the city center. There's a daily farmers market and an abundance of grocery stores in town, not way out in the suburbs, along with practical things Coimbra and Braga lack (like a good pet supply store!). It has a nice expat community and a friend mentioned going to a board game night recently. They're always organizing something and there have been events whenever I've gone. I appreciate that it's fairly flat and is another a college town. There are lots of nearby villages and destinations that are reachable by transit as a day trip, which includes lots of hiking trails, the lagoon, and the beach. It's an hour away from Lisbon with frequent train and bus service, both stations being right downtown (unlike Coimbra, which requires a bus, cab, or a good 15 minute walk).
We met many of the expats in Braga, and yes, they are not your age group. So Julie has that right. But you're also not the average person of your age, so there's that.
Thank you so much for your take on Coimbra. Will definitely keep that in mind when we stop by.
Calda da Rainha is just far enough away to be hard to get into Lisbon, and doesn't have enough of its own specialists in the medical field to work for us, otherwise it would be on the list!
Thank you so much, Cori, for your thoughtful reply!
Good luck with the ongoing detective work. I know you will make the right decision for you - just like with a college search. Match matters most! Outside of Coimbra, a great center of university learning since the 16th century, is a significant Roman remain: Conimbriga. Coimbra also provides comparatively easy access to Figueira da Foz, with some well-regarded beaches for summer recreation. Enjoy the look-about!
We definitely need to start making visits to the Roman sites around and about.
Hey Scott, if you decide to stay in Lisboa. Get a place away from the coast (think Louisiana flooding). That area of the ocean has also been the one most often shaken by earthquates. I'm just full of good news. That being said, this ia small but beautiful country.
Have you and Amy traveled anywhere inland? Have you been to Evora? In Braga, have you been to Bom Jesus.
Hi Lidia! Thanks for the suggestions! We have not been to Evora or Bom Jesus yet, no. We'd like to get to both at some point.
Coimbra is a beautiful city but the hills are a challenge! You could do what our Indiana friends Mike & Mary did and commit to renting in each place for 1 year before making an investment. You will never truly know the city until you live there for a year. I realize this is a hassle...hey we discarded that advice and bought in VRSA after only 11 months (it just felt like home after only a few days)...but it will give the PT housing market time to “correct”. Every indication is that prices will come down in 2023.
https://expatinportugal.substack.com/p/this-that-and-the-other
I agree with pretty much everything you say here. We do have time for the market to (hopefully) settle down some and I don't think we're willing to put up with the hassle of moving that frequently. We have learned much from your posts over the last year. Thank you!
I'm sure there is no rush. I love that you are doing your research. Good luck and hope you find something special. ❤
Great post on sharing your thoughts on finding your next home in Portugal. It’s a very stressful process, especially with rents rising. We are going through the same thing. We want to move again but it’s a jungle out there.
It's always challenging to make a big move like this, but it sounds like you've got a good idea of what you're looking for in terms of location, lifestyle, and budget. Can't wait to see what you guys come up with.
I hope that the realtor you mentioned was helpful in pointing you in the right direction, and I'm sure Coimbra will be a great place to explore.
I wish you all the best in your search and hope that you find the perfect pad in Portugal.
Michael & Melissa
We are exceedingly fortunate in our realtor. For this rental we had 6 real estate agents. None listened, none cared, none did much work. She heard us, showed us two apartments (video), advised us perfectly, and bam, here we are.
Looking forward to coming along for the ride! We’re similarly inclined to the north, the coast, energy efficiency, public transport, and community. But also really open to living in a rural location. I’m sure you’ll find a great place!
Great minds!