What makes you happy in your expat city ?

Ameerah Arjanee · 2025-05-28T09:58:25+02:00

Share your experiences of happiness living in Portugal as an expat. Discuss the city’s charm, culture, and lifestyle factors that bring joy.

Ameerah Arjanee Serial expat

Member since 11 July 2022

Ameerah ArjaneeSerial expat28 May 2025 07:58:25

206

Hello, I am a content writer for Expat Magazine, and we are planning on writing an article about what makes expats feel happy in the city where they live. We could love to get some testimonials from expats living in Portuguese cities (or Portuguese expats living in cities elsewhere around the world). It can be about anything: the weather, the friendliness of people, the affordable cost of living, how easy to use public transport is, how walkable the city is, how interesting the arts and culture scene is, the quality of the fresh fruits and vegetables, how multicultural it is, etc.

bobinportugal22 Active member

Member since 14 February 2023

bobinportugal22Active member03 June 2025 10:51:27

@Ameerah Arjanee

聽聽聽Having stayed in a couple coastal Algarve locations for a few days each, Albufeira simply felt right. Found a nice apartment to purchase at a decent price allowing me 10 minute walks to the beach and 4 grocery stores. What sets it apart for me is that it's a true city with a year round population rather than a tourist town that's all but abandoned in the winter. The food is much healthier here in Portugal than the US and much more affordable. Portuguese people are, for the most part, calm and not interested in judging people in an attempt to control and isolate them. I find everyone I interact with to be very friendly and helpful. Very different than a deteriorating atmosphere in the US with so much anger and, more than ever, racism. This feels like home and very comfortable. Very happy to be here!聽