Sun alone is not enough. Quality of life is also a priority for those who are now taking tbe momentous decision to swap one language for another, one culture for another, family and known friends for the unknown. And Portugal, as always, is a firm favourite for property-hunters. With rising house prices in Northern Europe, more and more homeowners are cashing in and seeking their dream home in the Southern sun. Southern Portugal, the Algarve, has long been popular with the Portuguese themselves as a holiday area, with the British as a force in residence since the 60s.
Prices run high but price is no object in a dream home.
It lists property agents of all nationalities and in many areas of Portugal. Choose a bilingual site to practise your Portuguese househunting and home vocabulary. With the possibility of surfing property sites on the net, finding a property and learning about the pitfalls of purchasing in a foreign land, everyone can become his or her own expert in the subject before even leaving home. The home page is lovely, featuring as it does the astrolabe which aided the 15th century Portuguese Voyages of Discovery. Don't miss the autobiography of Nancy herself, found in her Nancy's Residence section.