Living in Oeiras
Want to stay close to Lisbon but can’t find a way? Discover the quality of life while living in Oeiras as an ex-pat.
Article by Maryam Siddiqui of Viv Europe - Official Legal and Relocation Partner to KipperTree.
November 28, 2022
Living in Portugal
The combination of accessibility and investment in development isn’t hard to find in Portugal these days. We’ve talked plenty about Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, but there are many places you have yet to explore. A city that offers a glimmer of calm amid tech companies and innovation, living in Oeiras is rather underrated.
Oeiras has some amazing historical patrimony, artistic sites, beaches, and interconnected transport, making it one of the ideal locations to be near Lisbon. The location is a perk on its own, and there’s more where that came from!
Read all about living in Oeiras, a neighbour of Cascais and Lisbon, and learn why people choose this city instead of others. We’ll talk all about the lifestyle, the real estate market, work labour, education, and much more. Happy reading!
What is living in Oeiras like?
Oeiras, between Cascais and Lisbon, has emerged as one of the many demanding municipalities to visit and, surprisingly, to live in.
Picture yourself sliding the curtain of your window to witness the calmness of the sea and the beauty of green spaces – what a sight to spend your life in.
Oeiras has embraced a fantastic cultural dynamic, views that connect you to nature, and places that inspire you to go out and experience life to its fullest.
It also has excellent educational facilities, a higher employment rate, great health services, affordable means of life, and safety. Sounds too good to be true? Keep reading!
The city is close to the Lisbon airport and is interconnected by the railway line and highway. So, living in Oeiras will not make you feel left out. It’s an ideal place to enjoy a pleasant and purposeful lifestyle.
Who lives in Oeiras?
The standard and cost of living attract many middle and upper-class people, especially in areas close to the Cascais-Lisbon railroad. But that doesn’t mean it is limited to such inhabitants only.
According to Pordata, the municipality is home to 171,767 people, covering 45.88 km2 and ranking fifth in Portugal in terms of population density.
As per official data, 5% of the population represents foreigners. There are 61% working-age individuals, 14% young adults, and 24% elderly individuals. It is one of the most developed municipalities in Portugal and Europe.
Oeiras has a relaxed vibe that you’ll have difficulty finding in Lisbon. Every day, people run near the sea to energize themselves close to nature. In most of the areas surrounding Oeiras, children can play outside safely. Living in Oeiras is priceless when you truly think about it.
Why are ex-pats moving to Oeiras?
If the reasons above haven’t made you wish you were in Oeiras yet, let’s tell you a bit more about this place. Ex-pats are moving to Portugal because they’ve found a haven with an amazingly low cost of living. Wouldn’t you rush to a particular place that offers a competitive lifestyle shift? Certainly, yes.
Oeiras has become an economic hub for business persons, investors, and young entrepreneurs. Its proximity to Lisbon makes it a priority for those who prefer sea sides and beaches, low-population cities, and less fussy traffic.
Let’s look at the top three reasons ex-pats see Oeiras as a potential home.
Thriving Economy
Portugal’s current population is 10 million, of which an estimated 11% comprises immigrants from different parts of the world.
Oeiras is a municipality with the nation’s second-highest GDP per capita, second-highest purchasing power (56.3 points higher than the national average), and second-highest tax collection system after Lisbon.
In Oeiras, the average percentage of people with higher education is significantly higher than the national level and Lisbon. It also has the highest concentration of working individuals resulting in the lowest unemployment rate compared to Lisbon.
Being a centre point of industrialization and an intensely commercial municipality, Oeiras has the headquarters of various technological and multinational brands, including BMW, Toshiba, and Nestlé.
High Quality of Life
What would you think of a place where GDP is the highest, the average salary is high, crime is the lowest, and purchasing power is the highest? Most people would be ready to pack their bags and relocate there!
Hundreds of hospitals in Portugal meet International and European standards. The country has a nationalized health care system, and the private industry has improved over time, and gladly it is also affordable.
In Oeiras, healthcare facilities are given the utmost priority, which is why its healthcare index score is 89.81.
Furthermore, it’s a safe municipality with a crime rate of 14.31%. You’re guaranteed nearly 98% safety when walking in Oeiras, regardless of whether you prefer to do so during daylight hours or at night.
Greenery, parks, and the presence of recreational activities add to the high quality of life. The green spaces cover 15% of the municipal regions. With its due investment in environmental stability, Oeiras has an Air Quality Index score of 9, which puts a further stamp on Oeiras’s quality of life.
The Real Estate market is growing
The capital’s offer is insufficient to meet the demands of the inhabitants. Therefore, it leads residents to move to neighbouring municipalities, and Oeiras has been at the top of the list. Both foreigners and residents have adopted the behaviour.
Property prices in Oeiras have surged by 21% within months as demand outstrips supply. It is because many foreigners are looking for homes in Portugal after relocating here. The municipality is experiencing high land demand where domestic demand outnumbers foreign demand.
Furthermore, the municipality has seen many real estate investors launching projects, including international investors. After changes in the Golden Visa, investors also looked at hotels in these regions that could help them qualify for the application.
Needless to say, the real estate market is thriving in Oeiras.
Buying a property in Oeiras
Buying a property varies depending on what you are looking for, and the properties in Oeiras can range from extravagant real estate with sea views to standard apartments. The prices of real estate have gone up as compared to last year.
According to Numbeo, the average price per square meter in Oeiras is €3,009, which is considered quite accessible. However, the price range fluctuates for new, old, and renovated houses. The pricing further lowers as you go away from the city centre. To view properties in Oeiras click here
Is living in Oeiras better than living in the Algarve?
The Algarve, like Oeiras, has much to offer in terms of pleasant weather, beaches, cheap property, friendly people, and the sun. Yet, they are entirely different.
Oeiras is much more developed with regard to infrastructure, property, and transportation. It has better career opportunities and educational excellence and is home to business tycoons. Overall, it may be a better choice; however, if you’re retired or working from home for an international company, Algarve might work better.
What is the cost of living in Oeiras?
The cost of living in Oeiras is similar to the rest of Portugal; cheap for ex-pats and a little pricey for locals. There is a reason why ex-pats love this place. Oeiras has a pretty low cost of living for all that it offers. A modest income would help you go a long way here compared to the rest of Europe.
To learn more about the cost of living, schools, safety, healthcare and much more, read the full article here.