What is negative about living in Portugal?

What is Negative About Living in Portugal? The Untold Truth

The High Cost of Living in Portugal

Well, you might be thinking, “Portugal, the land of sunny beaches, affordable wine, and relaxed living.” And yes, for the most part, that’s true. But honestly, there’s a side to Portugal that not many people talk about: the cost of living can be higher than you might expect, especially in popular cities like Lisbon and Porto.

I had a friend, Sarah, who moved to Lisbon thinking it would be cheap. She had heard all the good things about Portugal and how affordable it is compared to other European countries. But, after a few months, she started noticing how rent prices had surged, especially in Lisbon's historic center. The reality hit her hard: even though Lisbon was cheaper than places like Paris or London, it still wasn't a budget destination.

Rent prices and housing shortage

One thing that caught me off guard was the rise in rent prices in some areas. In Lisbon, for example, you can easily pay more than 1,000 euros for a small one-bedroom apartment in the city center. And, it’s not just the capital—Porto, which was once known for being affordable, has also seen its rent prices soar, mainly due to tourism and expat demand.

If you’re considering moving to Portugal, it’s essential to factor in the cost of accommodation. Yes, you might save on groceries or dining out, but don’t let the initial excitement cloud the reality of Portugal’s expensive housing market.

Bureaucracy: A Pain in the Neck

Honestly, this one is a biggie. Portugal’s bureaucracy can be incredibly frustrating. I mean, I don’t know about you, but dealing with paperwork and endless queues is not my idea of fun.

Let me tell you about my own experience: I needed to get a residence card when I first arrived. Sounds simple enough, right? I was expecting a few forms, a couple of weeks of waiting, and voilà. But nope. Instead, I had to go through multiple appointments, wait for hours in line, and in the end, it took way longer than I ever imagined. And don’t get me started on dealing with the tax office… it’s like playing a never-ending game of "hurry up and wait."

Long wait times

If you’re not Portuguese or fluent in the language, navigating the bureaucratic systems can be a nightmare. The wait times for appointments at public services are ridiculously long, sometimes up to several months, and even the simplest things can take forever to process.

Limited Job Opportunities and Salaries

Actually, this is something that surprised me a lot. I thought Portugal, being part of the European Union, would have an abundance of job opportunities, especially in tech, tourism, and international companies. While Lisbon and Porto are growing tech hubs, the truth is that salaries are still relatively low compared to other Western European countries.

If you work in a well-paid field, like tech or finance, you might be fine. But for others, finding a job that pays enough to cover those rising rent prices can be difficult. And, well, don’t get me wrong, Portugal is fantastic for lifestyle, but if you’re someone who relies on a high salary to live comfortably, you might need to adjust your expectations.

I remember a conversation with my friend Tom, who’s a graphic designer. He told me that while there were plenty of design jobs in Lisbon, the pay was much lower than in other European capitals like Berlin or London. So yeah, if you’re planning to move to Portugal for work, be prepared to make some sacrifices in terms of salary.

Language Barrier: A Major Hurdle

Okay, this one is a bit obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. Portuguese is not the easiest language to pick up, especially if you're coming from an English-speaking background. Sure, many Portuguese people speak English, especially in touristy areas, but it can still be a challenge to navigate daily life without knowing the language.

I learned this the hard way when I tried to order food at a local restaurant in a small town. I thought I could get by with a bit of Spanish, but nope! The waiter gave me a blank look. It’s true that many people in Portugal understand basic English, but if you want to integrate fully into society, knowing Portuguese is key. And trust me, getting to that level of fluency takes time and effort.

Weather: A Double-Edged Sword

Well, Portugal is known for its beautiful weather, right? Sunny skies, warm summers, and mild winters. But here’s the thing: while the weather is generally amazing, it can get a bit too hot in the summer. Especially in cities like Lisbon, where temperatures can reach over 40°C (104°F) in July and August, you might find yourself struggling with the heat. I remember one summer in Lisbon where I could barely go outside during the afternoon without feeling like I was melting.

Air conditioning and cooling costs

And let’s not forget the air conditioning costs! Air conditioning isn’t standard in every apartment, so you might end up having to install one or rely on fans, which, to be honest, don’t always do the trick. So, while the weather is often a selling point, it does come with its own set of challenges.

Conclusion: Is Living in Portugal Really Worth It?

Honestly, Portugal is a wonderful country to live in—the food, the culture, the lifestyle—it’s all amazing. But it’s important to acknowledge the negatives too. High rent prices, bureaucracy, limited job opportunities, language barriers, and the heat can all make living in Portugal challenging for some.

For me, moving here was a dream come true, but like anywhere else, it's not all sunshine and roses. If you’re planning on making Portugal your home, I’d say it’s absolutely worth it—just make sure you’re prepared for the realities that come with it.

So, yeah, Portugal is great, but don’t forget that every paradise has its problems!

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.