Portugal`s north-south divide

Released on: May 1, 2008, 9:13 am

Press Release Author: Jim watson

Industry: Real Estate

Press Release Summary: People in Britain are used to talk of a north-south divide,
which has been historically rooted in differences of economics, subculture, accent
and, to a varying extent at different times, electoral geography. Housing, of
course, has been part of the equation too.

Press Release Body: People in Britain are used to talk of a north-south divide,
which has been historically rooted in differences of economics, subculture, accent
and, to a varying extent at different times, electoral geography. Housing, of
course, has been part of the equation too.

Not that Britain is alone in this respect, although perhaps the divisions of
northern and southern Italy, east and west Germany and the Flemish and Woolloon
parts of Belgium have a much more historic distinction, more in the manner of
England and Scotland.

In the case of Portugal, it is perhaps a different sort of divide that exists
between the north and south, at least in property terms. The south means mainly the
Algarve, with its popular beach resorts, hot weather and plenty of apartments to
match its tourist honeypot status. The north, by contrast, is somewhat quieter and
offers a rather different prospect.

To take some examples, Easier Property reported this week on the launch of Palacio
da Quinta, a complex which combines a six-star hotel with some highly upmarket
apartments. Not for the Algarve, it seems, the high-rise and low quality
developments that many believe have blighted the Costas. Easier describes the
development as \"truly palatial\", with the residents of the 80 apartments and
penthouses able to enjoy \"17 acres of lush sub-tropical gardens\".

Of course, not all the Algarve Portugal property is pitched at this level, which
with the prices starting at £800,000 is just as well. But the area, Easier notes,
has the appeal one might expect from a region with 300 days of sunshine and
championship golf courses to go with the sun, sand and surf.

While investors in the Algarve may find themselves going for rather less expensive
apartments to deal with the large-scale mainstream tourist market, the quieter north
may offer a niche market for those who want to avoid the crowds.

The interior of the north has been growing as a location for British buyers lately,
reports the Times, with the market mainly being characterised by second-home buying
in locations within easy reach of the city of Porto such as Minho and Douro. The
newspaper does not describe this as an accidental occurrence, for here are the
vineyards from which Port is produced.

Labelled by the paper as \"Portugal for grown-ups\", it is further characterised as
being \"many miles from the pastel-coloured villas and golf courses of the Algarve
and the cosmopolitan glitz of Lisbon.\" In short, it offers something different, an
attractive rural location which is described by one investor, Liverpudlian Liam
Donnelly as \"beautiful, cheaper and less developed\".

So for those looking to invest in property in Portugal, it is clear that some very
different markets, suiting different tastes, have developed. All of which indicates
that those buying investment property there need to be sure which markets they are
looking to aim at, not least if buying to let.

In today\'s world Property investment is an excellent investment option especially
investment in UK


Web Site: http://portugal.assetz.co.uk

Contact Details: Address:Assetz House, Newby Road, Stockport,Cheshire

zip:SK7 5DA

ph:0845 400 7000

fax:0845 400 6010

email:linkexchangeseo@gmail.com

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