Jestina

Hi
I am a new member to British Expat trying to find my way around the site.

I am planning to purchase in Portugal where I plan to spend the British winter months. I am thinking of Lagos or Villamora where ,I am hopng, will not be a goast town during this period and I can mix with fellow expats and the locals.

Any advice or suggestions will be appreciatd

J

steve01

Hi,
in all of the main towns of the Algarve most of the bars, restaurants and shops remain open throughout the year - the only real exceptions are the purely tourist business based shops/bars.
There's a common misconception that only expats live in the Algarve - in fact its mostly Portuguese people - over 80% and they live there year round and need all of the usual facilities.
No real ghost towns, except for the purpose built resort areas - but obviously much more peaceful than the summertime peak when the population more than doubles.

The only problem with Vilamoura is its very spread out - several miles from the entrance to the Marina, so if you choose the wrong property you could be very isolated.
why not rent for a winter, visit all of the places of interest and see which you prefer.
Best of Luck

Jestina

Thanks Steve, good advice

Jestina

daisyman1951

Hi, I'm new too. I am planning to go out in October for a look around because that's off-season (I hope) and should get a good idea of what places are like. I am planning to live there all year round but I will go out of my mind if there's no one to socialise with off season. Obvously I have to learn to speak some portuguese but hopefully there will be some helpful expats around to help. Please let me know how you get on. Thanks Colin

liveaboard

My place is becoming a ghost town; all the houses around me are empty for most of the year.
Practically no young people at all, they've all gone to find work elsewhere. A couple of houses owned by Lisbon people who come a few times a year. I've got some unfriendly Swiss behind me that don't come very often.

So yes, there are [nearly] ghost towns in the Algarve.
We use Skype a lot.

daisyman1951

Wow, where are you living?

liveaboard

Odeceixe.

EMR

A ghost town ??, not the impression we have. It is alwasy busy when we pass through or stop there. It is not in our opinion a place that would appeal to expats other than property being cheaper than nearby Lagos and for expats it should be viewed in that way.

Molamber

I think you may be confusing Odeceixe, situated on North West Algarve coast with Odiaxere which is close to Lagos, EMR.

Cleri

He is!!

EMR

I was and agree that that that part of the Algarve can be very very quiet, property is cheap though.