The Europeans are more British, but many Germans and Dutch as well. The local Portuguese economy does relatively well with all the construction and tourist related activities, even though this is a bit down now with the general world recession. The construction is spotty, a lot of mess, things placed in sometimes odd places, the old, decaying adobe and rock farmhouses alongside a small housing development, maybe groups of 20 or 30 white houses with chimneys attempting to imitate the traditional designs of this region. And things like a big Sheraton hotel complex perched on the cliff above a stretch of sandy beach. On the whole the locals are not particularly friendly or helpful, with of course exceptions.
Prices are a bit high, but nothing like in Germany.
There is a tendency to charge the foreigners more than locals, perhaps as much as the traffic will bear. And there is an overabundance of bureaucracy, in the marina, every place, I hear stories from many people who try to build or have a business here. I understand that in the north of Portugal, where foreign and native visitors have not taken over, bought and developed the property and dominated the economy the people are more friendly and the landscape is more beautifully maintained. The impact of the European Community is clearly evident. But money has flowed in, a new freeway crossing to Spain is a very visible example.