⭐ Our Moving-to-Portugal Diary — Part 3: Finding a Home in Portugal (What We Learned From Our Housing Search)
In Part 3 of our Moving-to-Portugal Diary, we share our real experience searching for a home in Portugal , from humidity issues to unexpected challenges along the way, pet-friendly apartments, and what we wish we knew earlier.
Moving to Lisbon: The Essential Guide to Setting Up Your New Home on a Budget
Introduction: The Search Begins Long Before You Arrive
Once our visa process started moving forward, the next big question appeared:
Where are we going to live?
Finding a home in Portugal looks effortless from the outside, sunlit balconies, charming tiles, pastel buildings…
The reality?
It’s a mix of excitement, stress, discoveries, and lessons you only learn through experience.
This chapter is about our real housing journey: the challenges, surprises, fears, and the moments that finally made everything feel real.
🏠 1. The First Shock: Portugal’s Housing Market Is… Competitive
We quickly discovered that Portugal’s rental market moves fast , especially in Lisbon and surrounding areas.
Listings appear and disappear within days.
Some apartments look perfect online… and completely different in real life.
And humidity?
Let’s just say it’s the uninvited roommate in many Portuguese homes.
We learned to act quickly, ask the right questions, and trust our instincts.
🐾 2. The Pet-Friendly Challenge
Finding a home is one thing.
Finding a pet-friendly home is another story.
With two dogs ; including a Golden Retriever we knew our options would narrow.
Some landlords are flexible, some are not.
Some listings claim “pets allowed”… but change their mind once you ask.
Our goal was clear:
A home that welcomed all of us.
Not just the humans.
🌧️ 3. The Humidity Reality (Something No One Warns You About Enough)
If you’ve ever looked at rentals in Portugal, you know this already:
Humidity is everywhere.
Some apartments smell musty.
Some have hidden mold.
Some look beautiful until you open a closet.
We quickly learned to check for:
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visible mold
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recent paint that might hide issues
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humidity stains on ceilings and corners
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rooms with no sunlight
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ventilation in bathrooms
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window insulation
We even started asking:
“Do you use a dehumidifier here?”
Because if they say yes, at least they’re aware.
If they say no, sometimes that’s a red flag.
Because of this, dehumidifiers are not a luxury in many Portuguese homes — they’re a necessity.
During our search, we researched different models and features, especially those suitable for apartments and long-term use. We shared what to look for, what actually matters, and which options made sense for Portugal’s climate here:
☀️ 4. Sunlight Became Our Non-Negotiable
After seeing multiple dark, damp apartments, we made a decision:
Sunlight is not optional.
We needed:
✔ bright rooms
✔ airflow
✔ windows facing the right direction
✔ a home that felt warm, not cold and humid
Sunlight in Portugal is not just aesthetic —
it’s essential for comfort, mood, and the long-term condition of your home.
💻 5. Evaluating Homes From a Distance (and the Stress That Comes With It)
Because we were not physically in Portugal yet, much of our search was done remotely.
That meant:
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video tours
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messaging landlords
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comparing photos to reality
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trying to detect red flags through a screen
It’s stressful.
There’s always the fear of committing to a place you’ve never touched.
But taking notes, asking detailed questions, and moving carefully helped us make clearer decisions.
🧾 6. Why We Worked With a Local Housing Consultant
Just like the visa process, the rental market in Portugal comes with real risks, especially when you’re searching from abroad.
During our housing search, we decided to work with a local housing consultant based in Portugal.
This turned out to be one of the smartest decisions we made.
We encountered (and avoided):
- landlords who refused video calls or clear communication
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prices that were too good to be true
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contracts that didn’t fully comply with Portuguese tenancy law
Our consultant helped us verify listings, communicate with landlords, and review rental contracts before we committed to anything.
What we learned quickly:
A legitimate landlord will never avoid transparency.
A proper rental agreement must always follow Portuguese tenancy laws (Contrato de Arrendamento).
Having local, on-the-ground support didn’t just protect us legally
it gave us peace of mind during one of the most stressful parts of the move.
🔍 7. What Finally Helped Us Choose the Right Place
After weeks of exploring options, we found clarity in what mattered most:
✔ Natural light
✔ Good ventilation
✔ No visible humidity or mold
✔ Pet friendly
✔ Safe neighborhood
✔ Honest communication with the landlord
✔ A contract reviewed by our lawyer
Finding a home is not just about the apartment.
It’s about how it feels.
It’s about picturing your everyday life there.
It’s about choosing comfort, safety, and balance.
When we finally found the right place, we felt it immediately.
❤️ Conclusion: Home Is Where Your New Life Begins
The housing search was emotional , confusing at times, frustrating at others, and deeply rewarding at the end.
Every apartment we saw taught us something.
Every question we asked made us more prepared.
Every challenge brought us closer to the life we’re building in Portugal.
Finding a home is not just a step in the moving process.
It’s the moment your new life starts to take shape.
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