Where to Live in Lisbon with your Family

When deciding where to live in Lisbon with your family, there are a number of things to consider. One of the most important is: Which are the best neighborhoods in Lisbon for families? A great place to live with a family will often entail having green spaces nearby, a catchment area for good schools as well as the right balance between tranquillity and buzz. Lisbon, the city of seven hills, is one of the few cities in Europe that strikes the perfect balance between the old traditional Europe we see on postcards, and a vibrant culture of modernity, with its trendy restaurants, bars, and cafes.

With many beautiful neighborhoods, knowing which area to buy can be daunting. Our new e-book, Your Expert Guide to Buying Property in Portugal provides you with a rundown of some of the key areas in and around Lisbon, including the rest of the country, in addition to the practicalities of moving to Portugal. Aside from this, you can also book a call with a Goldcrest advisor, to provide you with information on the best neighborhood for you and your family in the Portuguese capital.

Year-round good weather helps too. Going to the beach with family is limited to the summer holidays for most of the world. However, if you decide to move to Lisbon with family, you’ll have the option to have beach days for many months of the year.

If you are looking to buy property in the Portuguese capital, our Expert Guide to Buying Lisbon Real Estate should be able to provide you with all you need to know on the topic.

What are the most family-friendly neighborhoods in Lisbon to live in?

What to look for in a neighborhood for families

A few key things you might want to keep an eye out for when selecting where to live in Lisbon with family are the following:

• Parks nearby
• Schools and universities located nearby
• Congestion in the area
• Good transport connections

Lisbon is a very good option for families and there are several very good international schools in and around the city. Whether you already have a particular area of Lisbon in mind or are unsure of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon for families, please get in touch with a Goldcrest advisor to discuss which corner of the city could be the perfect place for you.

For example, Cascais is one of the best places to move to in wider Lisbon for families with small children. With its beautiful beaches, bustling town center, and quiet leafy walks, it has something for everyone. Along the ‘Linha’ — or the main rail line that passes from Lisbon all the way along to Cascais — are a number of seaside towns outside of the bustle of the city that all present very viable options for comfortable family living. These include Estoril, Carcavelos, and, of course, Cascais.

The best places to live in Lisbon with your family in the more central and surrounding parts of the city are as follows. We have not included very central Lisbon, such as Baixa, Chiado, and Alfama, due to the lack of space in these areas that may not be ideal for families. 

• Lapa and Santos
• Avenidas Novas
• Intendente and Mouraria
• Campo de Ourique
• Graça
• Belém and Restelo
• Parque das Nações

So, where to stay in Lisbon? Note that the best places to live in Lisbon will depend on what you are looking for, as each neighborhood provides something slightly different and each will have its own unique character. 

You can see our Lisbon neighborhood map and more information on the different neighborhoods in our article: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Lisbon. Our article on Lisbon Neighborhoods Close to InternationalLisbon Neighborhoods Close to International Schools could also be of interest to you.

So, where do expats live in Lisbon? Many expat families will live in the above neighborhoods in the city. However, many families also choose the Lisbon suburbs to live in, which offer more space – for example, Belém, a little outside the city, or Cascais, where you have many beaches on your doorstep, both of which are excellent options.

What are the living standards like in Lisbon?

In Lisbon, living standards and general quality of life are high. Naturally, there are varying degrees of standards where education, healthcare and housing prices are concerned. Like in any country, being equipped with the best up-to-date information will help you to make a well-informed decision.

One thing is for certain, in that Lisbon is one of the best places in Portugal for families, with close proximity to beaches, the beautiful Sintra-Cascais National Park close at hand, and many open parks spread across the city.

Overview of the costs of living

Real estate prices in Portugal are generally more affordable than in other countries in western Europe. However, for the Lisbon real estate market, prices have been increasing over the past years and the Portuguese capital has its own price range.

In Lisbon city, the average asking house price stood at €5139/m2 in 2020. If you look at Greater Lisbon, this is reduced to €3225/m2. Note that the purchase piece can be higher or lower than the asking price, so keep this in mind when negotiating with the seller. 

The costs of living for a high standard of living in Lisbon for a family are calculated at between $2,000 and $3,000 per month. This will allow for a comfortable lifestyle in popular suburban areas of Lisbon. Public transport is also pretty affordable, with monthly passes and family passes that are much cheaper than in other western European capitals. With metro stations spread out across the city, it is very easy to get around. This is also taking into account a relatively well-rounded private healthcare plan and private school education for two children.

Average monthly expenses for a family of four living in Lisbon with a high standard of living, who own a property:

If you don’t purchase property, rental costs will have to be factored in as an expense. Considering Lisbon’s popularity as a year-round tourist destination, renting can end up being costly.

Should I buy a house or rent one?

When deciding where to live in Lisbon with your family it might also be a question whether you should rent or purchase a property. If you have the capital to invest, we would always recommend purchasing property in Portugal as it’s a hot property market with plenty of potential for growth and return on investment.

While purchasing property is a serious decision, with careful consideration of all available options and having the correct information presented to you, there can be certainty and ease in the eventual purchasing decision you make.

With the benefits attached to a hot property market, come the setbacks as a renter in such a market. There are relatively high rental yields on investments made in property, because of the high costs attached to renting in Lisbon. Therefore, from a cost and investment perspective, if you can afford to buy, you are much better off purchasing property than renting in Lisbon. Particularly if you’re considering moving to Lisbon with a family.

Naturally, as an expat that is new to a city and an area, you may not want to dive straight in and purchase, in which case renting could be the right choice for you.

Where can I find real estate to buy in Lisbon?

Property specialists

1. Buyers’ agents

Using a buyer’s agent to find real estate in Lisbon will help you as an expat to discover a range of properties highly specific to your search. A buyer’s agent will also help you know in detail how sound the investment you’re making is as they provide localized and unbiased expertize.

A buyer’s agent primarily works for you as their client and therefore has the sole purpose of representing your goals in the transaction.

2. Realtors

Realtors will also have a range of properties on offer to show you to help you find your ideal Lisbon property, but their offers will not cover the whole breadth of the market like a buyer’s agent will.

A realtor also works primarily for the seller of a property as their client, so will have the purpose of selling a particular property ahead of your own specific goals and needs.

Why choose Lisbon?

If you’re considering moving to Lisbon with a family, you’ll probably be glad to learn that it’s a very family-friendly place to live, both in culture and in the cost of living. Most things are within walking distance, including the famous monuments of the city, fabulous art galleries, and cultural events. The public transportation system is also excellent, and you should find a metro station or bus stop close to where you live. It is often easier to take public transportation than to drive in the center of Lisbon, particularly because of the expense and lack of parking spaces in Lisbon. 

Public transportation is also very affordable to get to other parts of the country, with direct links to Porto in the north and Faro in the south of the country.

With plenty of green spaces, beaches, and a relatively low cost of living, many people are drawn to move to Lisbon with family. With traditional and modern architecture, different parts of the city have their own unique character. The great thing about this city for families, in particular, is the wide range of ages that will be kept entertained. Lisbon has a timeless quality that is both steeped in history and simultaneously at the forefront of modernity and trends.

Get in touch

Goldcrest are property experts that can assist you and your family in buying your ideal Lisbon home. We have deep expertise in the Portuguese real estate market and will always act diligently on your behalf to negotiate the best possible deal for you.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us for an informal conversation, for example, to understand the best place to live in Lisbon Portugal. Our team is ready to assist and help you start your journey of relocating with your family to the Portuguese capital.