Why choose BRAGA to live in Portugal | Low Cost of Living in Portugal | Early Retirement Expats

[@grizfan93]

We lived in Lisbon for 15 months before moving to Braga. I really loved our time in Lisbon, and there's no denying that city is always buzzin. But, as you mentioned, it is very expensive. Maybe because you're used to moving frequently, but we always felt like Living in Lisbon was a permanent vacation, and less a proper home. Our apartment was small, lacked key amenities and was still very expensive. Great for an extended holiday, but hard to turn into a home. Braga definitely feels a lot more like a home. We bought a nice apartment here for a fraction of what something similar would cost in Lisbon. While we miss the vibrancy of a city like Lisbon, it is much easier to live a normal life here in Braga. We're an hour away from Porto when we want a weekend of city life, and there's actually a LOT going on here in Braga. You mentioned some of the bigger festivals here, but there's actually a lot more happening; always seems to be a festival or party going on. This city does like to party. Also, regarding the weather; it isn't quite as bad as you made it out to be. You don't need to bring an umbrella with you 8 months of the year. December, January, and February are really rainy. November and March are hit or miss. September and April, you check your weather app, just in case. Other than a slight miss on the weather, I found this a really well-made video. Great production quality, and also very well researched.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thanks so much for watching and your insight on life in Lisbon compared to Braga! And congratulations on finding a great home!!

[@mariomurata6222]

I am Japanese. After watching this video, I became very interested in Braga. I will be moving to Portugal in December 2024, and I will visit Braga as my first choice for a place to live. This video is really great. Thank you.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thank you, we're so glad to hear it's helpful. Best of luck in your search for a home in Portugal!

[@alessandrosilva4441]

Braga has the best value for money in Portugal. The city is still not as expensive as Lisbon and Porto, but it has an excellent infrastructure. The city has the best public hospital in the country and a few more private ones. There is a great public university (Uminho) and a good private university (Catholic University). There are a few shopping centers, two of which are larger shopping centers (Braga Parque e Nova Arcada), but I still prefer to shop at the Continente supermarket in Minho Center in Fraião. KZbin videos always show the Historic Center, but there are modern neighborhoods within a 30-minute walk. Transportation is good, but it stops around 10 pm. In Portugal, there is only a metro in the vicinity of Lisbon or Porto. The city does not have ocean beaches, but it does have river beaches. It's a 40-minute drive to Esposende beach or the mountains in the Peneda-Gerês National Park. The city is quite safe as it is a medium-sized city. There are several cultural events throughout the year such as Braga Romana (in May), the Feast of St. John (in June) and the White Night (in September). In the central region, the buildings are older, and many do not have elevators, parking spaces or heating systems. That's why I recommend the most modern neighborhoods to live in, such as Lamaçães, Fraião or Nogueiró. The most visited tourist spot is the Church of Bom Jesus do Monte. However, the best view of the city is a little further up the mountain to the Basilica of Sameiro. Another good tour for those who love football is to visit the beautiful Braga stadium.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment with all of this great info!! This is so useful and relevant for people considering Braga to live or visit.

[@Pauln71]

They have the best hospital??

[@grizfan93]

nailed it.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

@@grizfan93 Thanks! 😁

[@bobtreiber8556]

Great info, thanks.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MrJim911]

I've lived in Braga for almost 2 years as an immigrant from the US. You touched on a lot important topics to consider when choosing a city when scouting. Including the weather.I love cool, rainy, overcast days. The less I see that giant heat ball in the sky the better. 😊 I would also argue infrastructure here is better. Internet speeds are much faster in Portugal and more reliable compared to Comcast, Spectrum, etc.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thanks for watching and glad to hear Braga's weather is perfect for you. We agree, internet speeds are faster and more reliable...good point!

[@mruyssenaers]

Are the rainy 8 months filled with cloudy days or a combination of cloudy and part sunny during the day? I like to seasons but not to much grey cloudy days like north of Europe.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

it's definetly a combination of both sunny and gray. what we heard from few of the locals in Braga, it doesn't get as gray as Porto (known also for a lot of dark rainy days throughout the year), but there are definetly more sunny days in Braga, just don't forget an umbrella due to the unpredictable weather. 👍🏽

[@eldadweiss2905]

Great Video! Well Done! :)

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thank you, it is a great city!

[@rebeccagutierrez1960]

I absolutely love Braga. I vacationed there not too long ago. I just love it!!!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

It is a wonderful city!! Thanks for watching and commenting! 😊

[@william.steele]

What a cool video! Great idea on the channel, spoke with your son down at the Dead Rabbit in TX! He’s awesome! Great job and keep going! 🎉

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

hey nice! thank you so much! He's a good kid...well, not a kid anymore. lol. Thank you for watching!

[@kgcg202126]

My family and I are also considering Braga. Great video! Braga seems like a great place to live.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

it is! it seems very family oriented, laid back and affordable.

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Take a look at the great info @alessandrosilva4441 just wrote about Braga in the comments and best of luck!

[@makiskenteroglou1623]

very nice ....presentation !

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Thanks a lot!

[@Crissa1669]

Hi guys!! Thank you for continuing to do these videos,,, your whole library is a keeper. We visited Spain and Portugal this past May and will be back again next year!! I hope you two have been doing well!!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Hi Crissa! Thanks so much. Yes. we've been good! traveling and working on videos. Get in touch when you visit next year 🤗

[@Crissa1669]

⁠ We thought about reaching out when we were there this past May… but thought we’d look like “fangirls/guys” lol. I have really benefited from your experience. We will for sure reach out next visit!!!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

@Crissa1669 😅 we'd love to meet up next time. We appreciate meeting new friends

[@chapter3travels5]

I'm with you 100% on this one - nice place to visit, but not a place I'd want to live. Between the weather and the size, it's not for me, but I can certainly see why plenty of immigrants looking for a smaller, quieter, beautiful city would choose to live there. I REALLY love that restaurant promotion you ran into - that sounds so cool!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

The Verde Cool restaurant promotion was a lot of fun! We went to cafes and restaurants that we would not have visited otherwise.

[@GuRastelli1973]

Love it!😄

[@TheGforceuk]

Sadly the weather puts me off braga and way too far away from the beach for me, looking to retire for beach walks daily

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

we are looking for the same. Braga is worth a visit tho 😊

[@SriRam-fp1kt]

​@@SeekingParadiseBugsFigueroa Da Foz?

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

we will be visiting the region of Coimbra soon! Figueroa da Foz is definitely in our list to visit 😊

[@Stopit77]

Great video, thanks for this and all the work you do in these videos:). May I ask how old you guys are? I’ve been binge watching your other videos and was curious how old you were when you retired early. Thanks!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

thank you! We are 53 (Dianne) and 50 (Gui) , retired 5 years ago and loving every minute 😊

[@lovestreaming]

Thank you very much for another very well-prepared and inspiring video. It's always a pleasure when you release new content - you guys are so likable 😊 If I had the financial means, I would choose to settle in Malaga or the area around the city. The unique vibe there is something I haven't experienced anywhere else. Based solely on your tour, I wouldn't choose Braga. The city is simply too small, and I think the weather would be too gloomy for me. But as a tourist destination, it is very tempting 😀 Kindest regards Erik

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

thank you so much Erik! you're so kind. Braga is a gorgeous city and we were very happy to share it with you all 🤗

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

thank you so much Erik! you're so kind. Braga is a gorgeous city and we were very happy to share it with you all 🤗

[@franciscoroman8200]

Excelente video. Mucha calidad y profesionalismo. Lo mejor que he visto en esta plataforma. Me suscribí ❤️

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Muchas gracias! Nos alegra que le gustó. Hasta la próxima!

[@yangerb]

Guys, beautiful video, the only thing: it's was the Roman Era, not occupation. Most of the western Europe was part of the Roman empire

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

thank you for the correction ☺️

[@Jesse-jt7oc]

Cheers

[@sparky5916]

Use `S` not `z` guys !!

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

Please let us know what you are referring to. We are always learning and want to correct ourselves.

[@ElizabeteRodrigues-nh7pr]

But before you buy a home in Portugal go see the islands of Portugal, Madeira ILAND close to North Africa , the ILAND is called the eternal spring, the garden of the Atlantic Ocean, the land close to heaven, …the names says everything

[@SeekingParadiseBugs]

We have a video on Madeira. It is absolutely stunning and we loved it there!