Live in Braga? We recommend!

Portugal is in vogue and if there is one city that reflects this trend it is Braga. Braga has experiences for all tastes and ages, stunning natural and urban landscapes, authentic history, heritage and culture. Find out why living in Braga is in vogue!

21 Dec 2022 min de leitura

Those who want to live in Portugal, but don´t intend to live in Lisbon or Porto - options much sought after by those wishing to immigrate - have Braga as a good option. The cost of living is lower, if compared to the Portuguese capital and the city of Porto. It is the ideal place for those who are looking for tranquility, mild climates and want to live in the oldest city in Portugal. Did you know that Braga is one of the largest city in Portugal? Besides, it has the largest number of gardens, squares and churches per square meter in the country!
Braga also has the advantage of being close to Guimarães, Porto and even Lisbon, so you can take the opportunity to visit and get to know the surrounding cities.
A few years ago, a large part of the city, especially the center, succumbed to desertification and oblivion. This state of affairs was visible above all in the many dilapidated buildings and the large number of businesses closing down. Thanks to the focus on revitalizing the center and an exponential increase in tourism, Braga is now a very different city. It is vibrant, with a renewed historic center and a thriving cultural life. It has become desirable to live in Braga.
These changes have attracted a lot of people and are one of the explanations for the growing popularity of the city. Braga has conquered the hearts of many Portuguese and foreigners, who seek it for its quality of life. Natural charms further evidenced by the hospitality of the people, an extraordinary quality of life and a very attractive quality-price ratio compared to other European countries, and where education, health and safety have high and increasingly demanding standards.

But there is more! Get to know other reasons why living in Braga is in vogue.

The cultural offer
Braga has a vast cultural heritage, whose ex-libris is the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 2012 it was distinguished as European Capital of Youth and in 2018 it was European City of Sport. Since 2017 it belongs to the UNESCO Creative Cities network, in the Media Arts category, and in 2021 it was elected Best European Destination of the Year, after having come in 2nd place in 2019. On top of that, there are also the many galleries, theatres, festivals and a myriad of events to suit all tastes.

The transport networks
Mobility is essential for the quality of life of the inhabitants of any city. Braga has several assets in this sector. The residents of Braga have at their disposal a central train station right in the heart of the city; a complete bus network with stops from end to end of the city; a central bus station with passenger coaches travelling to the most varied places in Europe; and a small but growing network of cycle paths. Those who choose to live in Braga can enjoy all of this..

The ´perfect´ size
One of the most striking advantages of living in Braga is its size, which many consider perfect. Not too small, not too big. It is small enough to be walked around and have the main attractions and services very close by. But not to the point of being seen in a day. And it´s big enough to contain everything a big city dweller expects to find. But not to the point of getting lost or suffering the typical problems of a larger city (suffocating traffic, alienation of the inhabitants, lack of traditional commerce, etc.).

Street commerce
Tradition and modernity. Braga combines these two characteristics. Its offer in terms of commerce ranges from the humblest local business opened decades ago, to the huge shopping centres which offer all kinds of shops in one place. Local shopping streets like Rua dos Chãos, Rua do Souto or Avenida da Liberdade are the delight of the city´s inhabitants and visitors.

The food
Braga is a paradise for foodies. It has restaurants, cafés and terraces for all tastes, among them many cool or trendy spaces. But the lovers of the old ´tasca´ that serves ´diárias´ have nothing to worry about. Traditional businesses are alive and well. Braga´s gastronomy is well known and appreciated by those who make this city their home. Bacalhau à Braga, Papas de Sarrabulho and Rojões, Arroz de Pato à Braga, Fidalguinhos, Frigideiras, Pudim Abade de Priscos, Vinho Verde and also the famous confectioneries with their mouth-watering windows are some of the gastronomic attractions of the city.

The Safety
Safety is another of the indicators that measure the quality of life. The fact that Portugal is considered the fourth safest country in the world has attracted many people. And Braga is no exception. The city is focusing special attention on this sector in order to ensure high levels of public safety. Braga even has a lower crime rate than Lisbon and Porto.

The Tranquility
Certainly, one of the great highlights of Braga is its quiet pace of life compared to Porto and Lisbon. The quality of life and the relatively low property prices have attracted the attention of many foreigners who want to live in Portugal.
The city of Braga has a lot to offer, with an excellent infrastructure and all the facilities needed for everyday life. This includes schools, universities, clinics and hospitals, shops and malls, supermarkets, restaurants and good transport connections.

The climate
With a mild climate during most of the year, Braga wins fans with each passing day. It is, without a doubt, a pleasant city to live in.
The climate here is much milder than in the southern regions, with average summer temperatures of 24°C. In fact, summer is very dry and it is not unusual to record temperatures of up to 40°C on some days in August.
In winter, the thermometers register an average of 12°C, with a greater volume of rain. It does not usually snow during the winter months, but temperatures can get negative in January and February.

Health
The public system is the one that serves most of the population in the country. And firstly, it is important to highlight that it is of quality. The public hospitals in the Portugal are very well equipped and it is not necessary to wait days to be attended to.
It is in the health centers that the most basic and generalized care is provided in non-urgent situations. There, routine consultations, nursing, family planning, as well as child monitoring, vaccinations, among others, are carried out. Having access to quality health services is important at any stage of life, but especially when you have children and elderly people in the family or chronic diseases.
In Braga, the population has at its disposal one of the best hospitals in the country, the Hospital de Braga. Until recently, the institution operated under a public-private partnership scheme, but now belongs only to the National Health Service (SNS). Thus, the prices of consultations and treatments are the same as in other public institutions.
The city also has a good number of health centers for primary health care. Who prefers to go private, also has at his disposal private hospitals as the Trofa Saúde.

Education
Aware of the essential role of Education in the construction of a cohesive, inclusive and participative society, Braga Municipality pays a redoubled attention to this area of action.
It is through education that children and young people acquire the personal and social skills that allow their full development as people and citizens. Education allows each child and youngster to express, to affirm and to develop their singularity, their creativity and their responsibility.
And because Braga is an Educating City, the Municipality tries to develop its municipal action, in a transversal and coordinated way, interacting and integrating the various educating agents, in order to make Braga not only the space, but above all the opportunity for education to happen throughout Braga citizens´ lives. Thus, Braga presents several public schools of excellence, well located and with good accesses. Regarding public schools, Braga also has a wide offer.
Regarding higher education, the University of Minho is a reference of high-quality teaching and learning, not only for Portuguese universities, but also European and worldwide. The University of Minho shows a significant capacity for change, being pioneer in several areas of teaching-training and research. It is currently among the most prestigious higher education institutions in the country, having also progressively established itself on the international scene. Founded in 1973, it has three main campuses: the Gualtar campus in Braga, and the Azurém and Couros campuses in Guimarães.

The labour market
Entrepreneurship is alive and well in Braga and more and more companies are establishing themselves in the region, especially the so-called start-ups, as well as dozens of multinational companies. Coworking spaces have also been growing, making the city´s business fabric even more dynamic.

The architecture
Braga is the "home" of some of the most prestigious architectonic works. It marks the difference by the number of emblematic masterpieces with bold lines and shapes. For example, such as the City Hall, Theatro Circo and the Palácio do Raio. Scattered throughout the city are other architectural wonders. All this gives Braga a special soul and helps to explain the surge of interest in the northern city.

The welcoming people
This is the eternal reason why so much is said about Braga: the people. Even in times of expansion and modernization, the authenticity and friendliness of the people of Braga is one of the city´s hallmarks.

Real Estate
In the oldest city in Portugal, there is also a growing real estate offer of great quality and diversity, very competitive in Portugal and which makes Braga the perfect destination to live or invest, just a few hours away from any European capital.
The city offers excellent options of modern real estate. Most of the houses are in good condition and usually sell very quickly.
Prices vary depending on the part of town, local facilities and the condition of the property. If you prefer to live away from the center, there are several housing estates with good transport links to the central area.

To get help in this field, clarify and provide a good accompaniment in the process of buying a property, discover our offers and contact us!