Escape the ordinary and embrace a sun-drenched, fulfilling existence! For Ken and Lisa, a British couple, this dream materialized when they discovered their perfect home on Portugal’s captivating Silver Coast.
Their inspiring story is featured in a recent episode of the "Portugal The Simple Life" podcast, hosted by Dylan Herholdt. In this "My Home in Portugal" episode, Ken and Lisa share their leap of faith, the challenges they overcame, and how they embraced the simple life. [Portugal The Simple Life Podcast Link]
[Image of Ken & Lisa in Portugal]
Falling in Love with Portugal
Ken and Lisa’s decision to buy a home in Portugal was driven by both practical and emotional factors. Brexit played a significant role, prompting them to reassess their lives in the UK and consider options abroad. Portugal quickly emerged as the leading choice.
"Portugal seemed to tick a lot of boxes for what we needed," Ken explains. "It’s only a two-and-a-half-hour flight, the time zone is the same, and the flight routes are excellent to connect with our mortgage broker jobs. "
Lisa’s family heritage and experience in Portugal also contributed. "Portugal has always seemed like a very welcoming country," she says.
"Everyone is always so friendly, so polite, so helpful. There’s just a feeling of warmth, really, when you’re here. And for us, coming here and being here as a family, you just feel kind of accepted. You want to feel welcomed. You want to feel comfortable. Portugal is one of the safest countries in the world, that’s also a factor for drawing us here. We just feel comfortable."
Discovering the Silver Coast and Alfeizerão
Initially, Ken and Lisa considered the Algarve. However, a visit to A Place in The Sun property show in London introduced them to the Silver Coast, changing their plans.
"The Silver Coast is real Portugal,’ Ken explained. “It’s less touristy, and there’s a strong community feel. You’ve got to integrate with the life there."
[Image of Alfeizerão Church and Silver Coast Map]
Exploring the region led them to Alfeizerão, a traditional Portuguese village that quickly became the ideal choice due to its authentic local culture and proximity to the stunning Sao Martinho do Porto Bay. "Our location in Alfeizerão is close to the center of the village, the life, the shops," Ken says.
[Image of Sao Martinho do Porto Bay]
Building Their Dream Home in Portugal
Ken and Lisa opted for an off-plan property, which came with its share of challenges. "We didn’t know whether we were going to make it at all," Ken admits. "We signed up for it, and then you think what have we done."
Despite the initial nerves, they received support from Dylan and the team of specialists at Portugal Realty. "The contact with Dylan and Denise, our project manager, really kept our feet on the ground when we were building it for those two years," Ken explains.
Regular updates, progress photos, and advice from Allenah at Portugal Interiors helped them remain confident in their decisions.
[Image Gallery of Home Construction/Interior Design]
When the villa was finally complete, the couple was thrilled.
"Walking into it and seeing the finished house was such a relief," Lisa says. "Seeing everything we had chosen all come together – the tiles, the furniture, the feature walls – it was just nice to see a finished product!"
[Image Gallery of Finished Home Interior/Exterior]
An Enhanced Quality of Life
Now settled in their new Alfeizerao home, Ken and Lisa are savoring the Portuguese lifestyle, sharing their favorite spots in Nazaré and Óbidos with visiting family. "We actually show them with a bit of pride. Look at this, and look at that. This is what we’ve got around us. We enjoy it a lot," Lisa says.
Reflecting on their journey, Lisa offers advice to those considering a similar move: "If you’ve never visited the place, you absolutely need to come and explore it. It is fine hearing about it from both of us of the area and our experience but you need to live it yourself, you need to feel it. You’ve got to feel it."
"Maybe don’t make such a rash decision, but i think the problem for us, we just led with our hearts. We fell in love with the area, we fell in love with the property, and that’s what made us take the plunge," Lisa admits.
While encouraging others to carefully examine their finances, she reflects on their own approach: "Everyone’s personality is different. You must do what is right for you, but you have to look at your finances and work out is this the kind of commitment you can make. We tend to wing things a lot and I just think god must look at us because it works."
My Home in Portugal with Ken & Lisa
Listen to the full podcast episode here:
Or watch the video on YouTube:
Considering Buying a Property in Portugal?
Ken and Lisa’s story is a testament to the joys of relocating to Portugal. If you’re considering buying a home in Portugal – whether for a better quality of life, the sunshine, or the sea – there’s never been a better time to explore your options.
Visit Portugal Realty and discover the exclusive Simple Life Home Buyer programme. Book a free call to discover how you can make your dream of owning a home in Portugal a reality. [Portugal Realty Link]
Begin your own journey to the simple life today!
