Portugal is a great place to live, with friendly people, good climate, good food, wine and beautiful countryside.
Portugal has emerged as a popular choice for expats, with the number of foreign residents almost doubling in the last five years. But with all the attractions Portugal has to offer, how do you decide exactly where is the best place to live?
There are many factors to consider in deciding where to live and what type of property meets your requirements. Of these, most important is safety and security in order to protect your well-being, quality of life and investment. This is, therefore, the focus of this feature.
Security
If choosing a rural property, consider distance from police, ambulance and fire services and how long they will take to reach you in an emergency. Do they know the location of the house? Can you communicate in Portuguese? If so, or can learn it, fine, but if not, this is an important factor to consider, especially in emergency situations.
Although the crime level is one of the lowest in Europe, some areas may have some local crime problems. A good way to check is to ask people in the area, such as the local bar. When viewing a property, check if it has previously been broken into, as this sort of information may not be volunteered by the agent concerned. Ask around.
Getting to know neighbours is important in ensuring trouble-free relationships in the future. Of course, neighbours can change, but in rural villages they and their families may have been there for generations. Most problems are due to the breakdown of relationships with neighbours, such as barking dogs, or, in urban areas, parking and noise pollution.
Water
A matter often overlooked is the sustainability of water supply. Does it have a cisterna, borehole or town water? What happens if the borehole fails? Is there a local water supplier? Is there a sewage system?
The Algarve is in a critical situation at present in terms of water supply resulting from the lack of rain. Although the reservoirs have increased water levels, the government has imposed measures aimed at reducing water consumption with effect from March this year.
Specifically, Algarve municipalities are obliged to reach the target of 15% in reducing water consumption, established by the government, and fines will be applied in cases where uses considered excessive persist.
On the other hand, municipalities that, for the second consecutive month, do not reduce consumption, suffer a reduction in its water supplied, which means that there will be less water available in the taps of their residents’ houses.
Extreme weather
Consider the property’s likely resilience to the extreme weather that we can encounter here in Portugal. Last year was the hottest year globally and Europe, including Portugal, experienced record-breaking air temperatures well into the 40s centigrade.
The mainland’s weather patterns generally mean it is wetter in the north (particularly the north-west) and dryer and sunnier in the south. There are exceptions, however, and, in January, mainland Portugal recorded, in some places in the north and centre, a heatwave considered “the most significant observed in the month of January since 1941”, according to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA).
Traditional older properties with thick stone walls can be cold inside during the winter, so heating is certainly required. However, in summer, these can be more comfortable, offering greater protection against the heat.
Many people may view a lovely house whilst on a summer holiday, but when it comes to winter, it may be in an area liable to flooding. It is, therefore, important to research the weather patterns, to help decide what area is best for you.
Safety
Climate change and extreme temperatures have resulted in an increasing risk of rural fires – a trend that is likely to continue. There are some areas on the mainland which are more prone to rural fires, and it is advisable to undertake research in this respect.
This does not mean that these areas should be avoided, but to bear in mind that you will need to ensure that your property is resilient as far as possible, through fuel management (land cleaning), and if in a high-risk area, being aware of measures to take should a fire approach your home.
If you or a family member has a mobility disability, knowing what action to take in the event of a fire or other catastrophe, such as an immediate evacuation, can be a challenge, so pre-planning is very important.
Laws are in place to ensure that at least 50 metres around your property is properly managed to reduce the spread of fires to your home. That is 50 metres from the main building, not the perimeter wall. Check that you are physically able to do this, or, if not, that you have the resources to pay others to help.
One of the most frequent complaints from homeowners is that neighbours are not maintaining their own land, allowing it to become overgrown, posing a fire risk. If the area is within 50 metres of your property, then the neighbour should ensure that the land is cleaned. Maintaining good relationships with neighbours is, therefore, important.
Portugal is at moderate risk of earthquakes and, in some areas, such as Lisbon and the Algarve, the risk is higher. Coupled with this is the risk of tsunamis. It is important, therefore, that if you plan to live in these areas that you consider the resilience of the property to withstand a major earthquake. Ensure your household insurance covers earthquakes.
Taking time to research and consider these issues will help avoid problems later on and ensure that you choose a location and home that is right for you.
By David Thomas
|| features@algarveresident.com
David Thomas is a former Assistant Commissioner of the Hong Kong Police, consultant to INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
In 2011, he founded Safe Communities Algarve to help the authorities and the community prevent crime. It is now registered as Associação SCP Safe Communities Portugal, the first national association of its type in Portugal.
913 045 093
info@safecommunitiesalgarve.com
www.safecommunitiesportugal.com
