Why This Surf Town In Portugal Is Europe’s Next Digital Nomad Hotspot

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If you’ve learn any journey information up to now yr or two, it’s possible been arduous to overlook the excitement surrounding Portugal, the latest go-to destination for digital nomads looking for a singular and reasonably priced place to stay and work remotely.

While Lisbon has been a well-liked alternative for a lot of, the inflow of digital nomads and foreigners hoping to get pleasure from a slice of Iberian paradise has led to an unsustainable and unlucky uptick in rental costs.

Lisbon, a as soon as reasonably priced hidden gem on the European vacationer circuit, is now the most expensive European city to rent an apartment in (sure — it’s now much more costly than Paris and Amsterdam). 

In a matter of a yr or two, it’s turn out to be “the world’s third-least viable city to live in based on local wages and rents,” according to Jacobin.

This has pushed most locals out of the rental market, forcing them to relocate throughout the river to cities like Almada, Costa da Caparica, and Setúbal.

However, distant staff focused on a slice of surf paradise at the moment are turning their consideration to Ericeira, an enthralling surf city on the Portuguese coast.

Could this be the start of the increase for this coastal metropolis? Let’s check out the curiosity in Ericeira, whether or not or not it’s well worth the hype, and how one can relocate to Portugal with out turning into part of the issue.

Ericeira: Portugal’s Sleepy Surf Town

Unlike the bustling streets of Lisbon or Porto, Ericeira provides a extra laid-back surroundings for digital nomads. 

The metropolis, positioned simply 40 km northwest of Lisbon, is a Portuguese fishing village providing picturesque beachscapes alongside whitewashed buildings and cobblestone streets. 

It offers extra Greek island vibes than it does massive metropolis vibes (like Lisbon), and for a lot of, that’s a part of its distinctive allure and attract.

With fewer crowds (not less than for now), Ericeira supplies the right setting for focus and productiveness whereas nonetheless offering ample alternatives for networking and socializing. 

But what makes town that totally different from different digital nomad hotspots throughout Portugal and Europe?

Surf Culture

Ericeira is well-known for its world-class browsing situations (it hosted the World Surf League’s 2019 EDP Billabong Pro competitors and has hosted a number of others). 

This means digital nomads focused on catching waves whereas working remotely will really feel proper at residence in Ericeira, as the realm is understood for its constant swells and number of surf breaks.

There are over 65 surf spots within the space, however if you happen to’re focused on trying out a couple of of the preferred, go to Praia de São Julião, Praia da Foz do Lizandro, or Praia do Sul.

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Digital Nomad Community

Despite being a smaller metropolis, Ericeira is residence to a thriving digital nomad neighborhood. 

In truth, it typically appears that there are extra (and higher) coworking choices in Ericeira than in Lisbon, with many providing typical surf city perks like browsing lessons, yoga, and wholesome meals choices.

Additionally, you’ll discover plenty of common meetups in Ericeira, making it simple to attach with different distant staff and even make skilled connections.

Work-Life Balance

As talked about, Ericeira is simply about 45 minutes away from Lisbon. 

It’s additionally tremendous near enchanting day journey locations and weekend getaway spots like Sintra, Mafra, Peniche, and the surf capital of Portugal, Nazaré.

With so many issues to see and do in and across the sleepy surf metropolis, a lot of which embrace pure parks, stunning seashores, and historic cities, it is sensible that Ericeira could be such an up-and-coming hotspot for digital nomads trying to strike the right work-life steadiness.

With an abundance of pure environment, Ericeira supplies ample alternatives to get some recent air after lengthy hours spent in entrance of a display screen, selling general well-being, each mentally and bodily.

The Cost Of Living In Ericeira

Ericeira is at the moment ranked No. 40 on Nomadlist, with excessive scores in high quality of life, web pace, enjoyable, security, and walkability. 

As a digital nomad, you possibly can anticipate to pay simply over $3,400 a month to stay in Ericeira, in accordance with estimates on Nomadlist. That’s about $300 lower than the present listed common for Lisbon.

A easy search on Idealista reveals the typical worth for a two-bedroom house to be about €1,500 monthly. 

While greater than the price of residing as a digital nomad in cities like Bangkok, Zagreb, Chiang Mai, or Dubrovnik, it’s an reasonably priced various to locations like Lisbon, Barcelona, or Rome.

Factor within the candy surf spots, laid-back coastal city vibes, pleasant locals, nice local weather, and several other coworking areas, and it’s all nicely well worth the worth to get pleasure from Europe’s subsequent digital nomad hotspot earlier than it will get too fashionable.

How To Be A Responsible Digital Nomad

You solely have to check out a couple of photographs of Ericeira to know its attract. 

However, how will you get pleasure from life there as a digital nomad with out contributing to it turning into the subsequent Lisbon or Canggu?

The largest subject now surrounding Portuguese digital nomad hotspots is growing rental costs. 

If you’re planning on renting an house in Ericeira, don’t take part in bidding wars with different foreigners simply to snag a candy house. This drives rental costs up and pushes locals out.

Speaking of locals — at all times respect native customs! Learn a little bit of Portuguese, store and eat regionally, and exit of your solution to combine your self into native life.

Learning about Portuguese historical past, creating significant connections, and initiating tasks that may uplift native communities can all make a residing in Ericeira as a digital nomad all of the extra enriching.

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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com