Over the first three parts, Elena and Ivana looked at where remote workers, families and retirees tend to settle. In this final episode, the conversation becomes more practical and more personal: how do you decide where to begin?
Elena Bykovets, CEO and Founder of RelyOn Relocation®, explains the company’s “safe choice” approach, while Ivana shares what she learned about language and adaptation in five Portuguese cities. They also answer a listener’s question about Porto and Braga.
Elena: Ivana, I’d like to share how we approach this as a relocation company. We prefer to start clients in areas that are safe for us.
Ivana: Safe in what sense? Portugal is safe in general. Many expats come precisely because they don’t have to worry about conflict or being mugged.
Elena: True. In one global safety ranking from 2023, Portugal was seventh in the world, and the US was 131st.
Ivana: Really? I’m shocked.
Elena: I’d need to check the latest edition, but it was something like that. But I meant “safe” differently — a safe choice. A place where we’re confident the client will feel good.
Ivana: A place you know they’ll like.
Elena: Exactly. We want our clients to be happy here and to stay. Relocation brings a lot of stress. In a previous live stream we talked about relocation as trauma — it really affects mental health.
Ivana: It does.
Elena: So we try to reduce that. Usually we suggest starting in Cascais and its surroundings, then Lisbon or Porto. From day one, clients have what they’re used to: good coffee, services, amenities. After six months or a year, when they’ve travelled and adapted, they can choose where they truly want to live.
Ivana: That’s great. By then they understand the culture, and the choice is much more informed.
Elena: Language matters too. Many people in Portugal speak English, especially in areas with many expats. Most of our clients don’t speak Portuguese yet, so we want them to feel as comfortable as possible at the start.
Ivana: Choosing where to begin is the hardest part, and a safe starting point takes pressure off your mind. In the Algarve, I only spoke English. Even my husband, who is Portuguese, spoke English with me, because everyone around us did! I started learning Portuguese only after moving to Lisbon and Cascais.
Elena: That’s funny, and very typical. In private hospitals in these areas, staff usually speak English as well.
Elena: Now a question from Sofia. She works remotely and is thinking about the north, between Porto and Braga. What would you choose?
Ivana: Porto. It has a stronger international community, and it’s bigger. Braga is usually cheaper, but it can be chillier. If she were a student, I’d also mention Coimbra.
Elena: For young people, a bigger city simply offers more to do.
Ivana: Exactly. If you’re single and want to meet people and go out, Porto gives you more options.
Elena: Before we finish, for anyone not ready to move yet: we’ve prepared a relocation guide covering twelve key topics about Portugal, including the best cities with their pros and cons. The link is on our Instagram. If you like what you discover, you can book a consultation to explore your options.
Ivana: And paperwork is the biggest challenge. Bureaucracy.
Elena: That’s exactly what we handle: residency and citizenship, real estate — renting or buying, residential or commercial — tax structuring and planning, mortgages, and settling-in support, where we organise many parts of your new life so you don’t carry that stress alone.
Ivana: It’s like being handed a ready meal. Everything is prepared — you just move in.
Elena: I know that from experience. I lived in four countries before Portugal, and I moved here with the help of a relocation company. I can’t imagine managing everything alone. My advice: come first as a tourist and explore. If you fall in love with Portugal, the move can be organised calmly.
Ivana: That’s exactly how it happened for me.
Elena: Thank you, Ivana. It was a pleasure.
The final message of this series is reassuring: there is no single “best” city in Portugal, only the best one for your current stage of life. Starting in a familiar, well-connected area and choosing your long-term home after six months or a year can make the whole process calmer.
If you are planning a move to Portugal, professional preparation can make the process significantly calmer and more structured. Book a consultation with RelyOn Relocation® (AMI 24842) to discuss your situation and explore the most suitable pathway.
