Why life after buying property matters more than you think

Buying a property in Portugal is only part of the journey, especially if you are still working out what life here looks like day to day.

The first six months

Utilities, fiscal number, health centre registration, finding a builder who turns up, working out which supermarket you actually like. None of it is difficult; all of it is easier with someone to ask.

Why we stay involved

Every one of us went through this ourselves, mostly without help. We do not disappear once the deed is signed — if you want a name for a plumber or a view on a school, ask.

The part that surprises people

Most clients tell us the community turned out to be the deciding factor. Golf, walking groups, tennis, charity work — the Algarve's outdoor life makes meeting people unusually easy, and it is the reason a lot of holiday homes quietly become permanent ones.