Lots of people at some point in their life wonder what a new life abroad in a sunny climate would be like. The Algarve has always been popular with expats, these days however Central Portugal is becoming progressively popular and benefits from cheap property and equivalent low cost of living.Portugal borders Spain the south west of Europe. It is a small country, a little bigger than Scotland with a population of approximately 10 million or so. It is bordered on its west and south by the rugged Atlantic Ocean and by Spain to the north and the east. The Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal.

With its terrific Mediterranean climate, Portugal is one of the warmest Countries within Europe. The country benefits from approximately 2500 to 3200 hours of sunshine every year, which is an average of 4 to 6 hours per day in winter and 10 to 12 hours daily during the summer months. The Portuguese are extremely hospitable and whilst many in the larger towns and Cities speak great English and other languages they also respect your efforts to learn their language. A little effort to learn the language early on will go a long way.

You will find a a great choice of property for sale in Central Portugal to suit your requirements. Before you dive in however you should make a checklist to keep you focused. Be focused about what amenities are vital to you, for example. Schools, health facilities,a post office or bank.

Don't overlook the travelling time to the nearest airport and beach. Many locations in Central Portugal can be accessed from Lisbon or Porto Airport in only 1-2 hours.

Take care not to commit yourself to a massive project before examining the pro's and cons. You may come to the conclusion that you would be better off buying a finished home instead.

There are a variety of different homes available in Central Portugal to suit all budgets. Once you have your wish list, you will be able to narrow down areas, you can find useful data and ideas online re locations from many forums. It is a sound idea to rent first in the area.

A house in Central Portugal could present the life change you dream of. It is still possible to find a three course lunch with wine and coffee for as little as E5.50 per head, a cup of espresso at a bar costs around 50 cents. You can relax in the gorgeous countryside, numerous beaches along the silver coast , not forgetting the beautiful river beaches locally. So why not take a look what's out there?