Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Live and Invest Overseas.
The historic town of Aveiro, situated on the west coast a little less than an hour’s drive from Porto, is known as the Venice of Portugal thanks to its network of canals navigated by gondola-like boats known locally as “barcos moliceiros.”
With uninterrupted sea views and an abundance of fresh sea air, this city is emerging as a top option for anyone looking for a calm and peaceful pace of life in the Old World.
Aveiro is also refreshingly affordable, offering big-city amenities at a nice discount to costs in Lisbon and Porto. The area is popular for its fresh fish, grilled mackerel, and gastronomic diversity, and a three-course meal can cost as little as 8 euros in a mid-range restaurant.
You could rent a one-bedroom apartment in Aveiro for as little as 650 euros per month. Add around 40 euros per month for internet and cable TV and 75 euros per month for electricity and water, and you see how a couple could live comfortably here on a budget of less than 1,500 euros per month.
Less than 1,500 euros per month for a comfortable new life on the coast of Europe. Remarkable.
The most central and sought-after neighborhoods include Bairro do Liceu, Alboi (near to the city center, the public hospital, and the university), Bairro do Glicínias, and Bairro da Forca (this is the most distant neighborhood from the city center, popular among retirees).
Boasting many gardens and parks, Aveiro is very dog-friendly. If you’re planning on relocating with your pet, put the neighborhoods in the Drinks Garden (the Alboi area) at the top of your list.
Clean and comfortable city
Aveiro is also relatively flat and low-lying, making it an ideal city for walking and biking. Everything is within easy strolling distance of everything else; sidewalks are wide, footpaths in good condition, and many areas pedestrianized. This city is definitely a good option for someone with mobility restrictions.
Neighborhoods are small, and locals are friendly. On nearly every corner is a tiny bakery, cafe, or minimarket, and shopkeepers will know your name after just a week or two.
Aveiro is never as hot as Lisbon, and the sun shines a little less often. Temperatures range from an average low of 5 degrees Celsius (41 degrees Fahrenheit) to an average high of 25 C (77 F), rarely falling below 0 C (32 F) or above 31 C (87 F). Aveiro doesn’t see snow, but it is colder here on the coast and through the New Year.
Come spring, the focus returns to the Barra and Costa Nova beaches, just three miles from the city center. Both have repeatedly been awarded Blue Flag distinctions for their cleanliness and amenities. The surfing along this coast is among the best in Europe.
Barra is home to the largest lighthouse in Portugal, and Costa Nova is known for its colorfully painted wooden houses … and both are earning a reputation for their traditional-style beachfront cafes.
This is the coastal town to watch in the country we believe more firmly than ever is the world’s best option for living and retiring well overseas.
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