Pros and cons of living by the beach in Portugal

Pros of living by the beach

Waking up to breathtaking views, hearing the sound of the waves, smelling the sea breeze, and taking a refreshing swim before another day of work? Wonderful! But besides the obvious advantage of having the beach close by, there are other benefits to buying a home in a coastal location, where other people usually spend their holidays…

• Stunning landscapes

Living by the beach allows you to enjoy a stunning view every day, whether you plan to buy a house in the Algarve, in front of a paradisiacal beach with calm, translucent waters, or in the west coast or northern regions, near more turbulent seas.

• Surrounded by nature

Fauna and flora! If you live in a coastal area, you’ll have direct contact with nature and experience daily what others only feel during holidays: the sea breeze caressing your face and your bare feet in the sand!

• Health and well-being

Many scientific studies show that people in direct contact with the sea have better physical and mental health.

A study by the University of Exeter shows that the sound of the ocean can help relax, reduce stress, prevent mood swings, create a sense of calm, and even stimulate physical exercise! So get ready, because if you live by the beach, you’ll feel like leading a more active lifestyle, especially since you’ll see people exercising all the time: cycling on the promenade, running on the sand, swimming, or surfing in the sea! Furthermore, if you suffer from allergies or respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis, the fresh air improves the respiratory system. And that’s not all! In warm climates like the Algarve, your skin will absorb plenty of vitamin D, meaning it will get the nutrients needed to reduce stress, improve bone health, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

• Quality of life

As you can see, living by the beach brings better quality of life, right? You’ll escape the hustle and bustle of big cities, the stress, noise, and traffic… and embrace peaceful sights and sounds that are excellent relaxants, boosting the happiness and well-being of your family!

• Leisure activities

In addition to physical activities, living in the Algarve or another coastal area can offer easy access to leisure activities, as tourist areas have plenty of entertainment options: nightclubs, bars, restaurants, cultural events, fairs, festivals, boat trips, walking trails, and much more!

• Safety

It’s not a rule, but truth be told, living near the beach ensures higher levels of safety, especially in tourist areas where the well-being of visitors and residents is a priority. That’s why the rates of thefts, robberies, and crimes in beach cities are lower compared to other urban centres.

• Property value appreciation

Lastly, and just to mention the main pros of living by the beach, we have to talk about property value appreciation. A property by the sea, whether it’s an apartment or a house, is highly sought after and therefore very valuable, whether for sale or rent. So, if you buy a home in the Algarve or another coastal area in Portugal, you’ll also be expanding your family’s assets!

Cons of living by the beach

While there are many pros to living by the beach, there are also cons that you’ll need to weigh up when making your decision. Let’s take a look at them!

• Sea winds

Over time, sea winds can accelerate damage to your beach house because the salt in the air oxidises metals and reduces the lifespan of furniture and appliances.

• High temperatures

If you struggle with heat during the summer months, living in the Algarve or along the Alentejo coast may mean a significant investment in air conditioning!

• Tourists

Tourists during peak season? There are thousands! This can be another con of buying a home near the sea: while living by the beach means no trouble getting around or parking, you won’t escape the long supermarket queues, overcrowded restaurants, or lack of space on the beach…

• Higher prices for goods and services

During peak season, it’s natural for some products and services to be more expensive than at other times of the year. After all, businesses aim to maximise their profits from the influx of national and international tourists! However, for your family, this could be a disadvantage.

So, have you weighed up both sides and decided you want to live by the beach? Or perhaps you don’t want to spend the summer bumping into tourists but would still like to live in the Algarve? In either case, Engel & Völkers has the solution for you! Check out our range of properties in Portimão!