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“Move on…” as the Portuguese say: “Seguir em Frente…”. It must be our Mindset during these times, the world as we know it is stopped, most of us are grounded at home in the last month and a half and probably will continue to be for a while longer.

We compare countries, government policies, and their consequences. We are overwhelmed with a variety of pandemic experts’ opinions (even football news anchors now consider themselves an amateur Epidemiologist).

As in any war, what our “generals” (a.k.a. politicians) are transmitting to us is that the number of people infected with the virus, the total of deaths, the economic recession, and the remaining “Seven Biblical Plagues” will be much less serious thanks to the all of their good decisions.

This is how in this time of global pseudoscience, fake news, and the massive manipulation of public opinion by some media. The Fear Pandemic was installed, the biggest Pandemic in memory.

Portugal appears in this scenario as an Oasis, this is the image that some international press (Reuters, CNN, Independent, or the Italian Internazionale) have transmitted.

Although we all pray that it will be so, let us remember that also that the “generals” do not comment on the fact that fewer tests are being carried out. The numbers of this public health crisis will be confirmed later, proving that the country managed to “flatted the curve” with the National Health System having an effort rate of 50%, far from being saturated.

Eventually, COVID 19 will be contained and global markets and economies will recover. But the experience of having lived through this challenging period will leave us with an enhanced and perhaps reinvented understanding of what matters most in life.

Now we have a moment while taking this collective break, to rethink how we would like our lives to be, to connect the dots between our ideal lifestyle and the best options of where and how to spend our time and money.

Analyzing from a post-crisis perspective, which city or country will be the best option to reposition ourselves in the world? Diversifying our lifestyle and investment portfolio to take advantage of the many opportunities that our world continues to offer is today a more important agenda than ever. Thus, it will be a way to ensure that we are prepared for what the future will offer us. To decide where we will go, and not being at the mercy of a single government, economy, market, or currency.

Imagine living in a country that offers you the best conditions to organize your life and be able to face any “storm” comfortably and safely.

Although at this moment it is not possible to travel to personally explore these possible destinations, given the current circumstances of the pandemic, this lockout is temporary, and when it is lifted, where should you go?

Kathleen Peddicord is an analyst specializing in investments and residents abroad with over 30 years of experience in this matter. Peddicord stated in an article featured in Forbes Magazine’s April issue, that the best place in the world where one can settle in the following: Portugal.

The reasons mentioned are essentially logical, but also rational and emotional, and now that Europe and part of the world are beginning to come out of confinement, we must make decisions that count.

Why Portugal? According to Peddicord, this country wins the competition as a destination for the following reasons:

Portugal ranks as the third safest country in the world. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is limited to pickpocketing during the busy tourist season. This country has managed to keep itself separate from the immigration crisis that is playing out in other parts of Europe.

Portugal has had major investments in infrastructure in recent years, specifically to do with the country’s highway network and airports. As a result, it is an excellent base for exploring all of Europe and North Africa.

Health care in Portugal is of high quality, both in the public and in the private sector, and has a National Public Health Service that tends to be free for residents.

The cost of living in Portugal is among the lowest in Western Europe (on average 30% lower). As an example, a couple can live in Portugal reasonably with a budget of only 1,300 euros per month. If they have a budget of 2,000 euros per month or more, they can enjoy a quality lifestyle in the heart of the Old World

In 2019 Lisbon reached the 1st place with regard to the destination of the real estate market in Europe, having sales values ​​well below those of other European cities. Real opportunities can be found in the surroundings and in smaller towns.

The Portuguese are the biggest fish eaters per capita in Europe, and fresh fish of great variety is available in the ever-present daily markets. The year-round sunshine and fertile earth in this part of the world mean an abundance of fresh produce, too, also available in the local markets. Meantime, pollution rates are low, and streets, towns, and beaches are clean and litter-free.

English is widely spoken, so any foreigner can live in Portugal without needing to learn the language.

Portugal has one of the most stable climates in the world with around 3,300 hours of sunshine per year, which means more days of sunshine than in any other country in Europe. The South does not have months of bad weather.

In the 800 km of beaches that the country has, the European Blue Flag Association has granted 378 beaches along the coast Blue Flag status, recognizing the excellent water quality and environmental standards.

Portugal has about 90 golf courses (in a country with 15,000 golfers) most in the south where you can play practically all year-round.

Portugal offers the most user-friendly residency option in the Euro-zone. You can qualify to live in the country full time simply by showing a reliable income of at least 1,200 euros per month. 

For these and other reasons, expatriates living in Portugal, despite expressing concern for their families and friends in their countries of origin, say that they feel safer overseas, citing quick government’s responses to the crisis, community-oriented cultures, and a subsidized or free health system.

Duarte Jardine