In Part 1, Elena and Ivana talked about remote workers and why community matters more than Wi-Fi. Now the conversation moves to families with children, whose priorities are very different: schools, parks, space and a steady daily rhythm.
Elena Bykovets, CEO and Founder of RelyOn Relocation®, and Ivana, a guide who has lived in five Portuguese cities, compare Cascais, Lisbon and Sintra. Then they answer a question almost every future resident asks: how sunny is Portugal really, and where does it rain?
Elena: Ivana, let’s talk about families. You have children, don’t you?
Ivana: (laughs) No, I have a dog. A forty-kilogram dog. He’s a big baby.
Elena: Somehow I was sure you had two kids! But many of your friends do. Where do families usually settle?
Ivana: Most expat families I know choose Cascais or the line around it — Oeiras, Cascais, Estoril. You’re close to the beach and have an easy, steady life, but also a strong community and very good international schools. And Lisbon is close, so you can go to events whenever you want.
Elena: So it’s a balance.
Ivana: Exactly. Cascais also has beautiful parks and playgrounds. My friends with children say it gives them a bit of both: opportunities for the family and the kids, and a beach lifestyle on weekends.
Elena: And Lisbon itself?
Ivana: Lisbon has its benefits too — many parks and great schools. But you know better than me how high rents for family-sized homes can be. Cascais isn’t cheap either, but many families prefer to live near the ocean so they can relax on their days off.
Elena: What about Sintra? I’ve heard it has many educational facilities, beaches nearby and, of course, a lot of greenery.
Ivana: Sintra is very interesting for families. Often you get more home for your money there than in Cascais. And everything is close: between Sintra, Cascais and Lisbon, most trips take around thirty minutes by car.
Elena: That’s worth saying for people from the US or other big countries. Here, distances are short.
Ivana: Yes. Sintra is green and very calm, perfect if you love nature. The only thing I don’t like is the weather. It’s a little moody. Sintra has a life of its own.
Elena: Fewer sunny days?
Ivana: Yes — though Porto has even fewer. If you want good weather almost all year, choose the Algarve. I lived there for five years and remember maybe five or six rainy days. When I moved to Cascais, the first thing I bought was rain shoes!
Elena: (laughs) So it does rain around Lisbon.
Ivana: Not a lot, but November and December can be rainy. In Lisbon in winter, yes. In Porto — definitely.
Elena: But let’s be fair. Portugal is one of the sunniest countries in Europe. I think we complain because we already feel Portuguese. We’re spoiled!
Ivana: True!
Elena: I moved here partly for the ocean and the sun. I wanted a balanced life. Depending on the region, there are around three hundred sunny days a year — and still we complain after one small shower.
Ivana: I come from a country with everything: a hard winter and an extremely hot summer, up to forty degrees, when it’s impossible to stay outside. Here, many homes don’t even have air conditioning, because the ocean keeps the air fresh. Even on hot summer days, you can enjoy being outside.
Elena: That’s one of the best parts of Portugal: stable temperatures.
Ivana: Yes. At home, the temperature can jump twenty degrees in one day. Here it’s twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven. When my family asks about the weather, I just say, “Twenty-ish.”
Elena: Same with mine! Even in winter, a sunny afternoon can feel surprisingly warm.
For families, the conversation shows a clear pattern. Cascais and its neighbouring towns combine international schools, parks and the beach. Lisbon offers city opportunities at a higher price. Sintra gives more space and greenery to those who don’t mind a few extra grey days. And because distances are short, the whole Lisbon region stays within easy reach.
In Part 3, Elena and Ivana discuss retirement in Portugal — community, healthcare, cost of living, and why so many people from northern Europe choose to spend their best years here.
If your family is planning a move to Portugal, RelyOn Relocation® (AMI 24842) can help you compare neighbourhoods, schools and housing options, so the first steps feel structured and calm.
