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If you’ve been reading travel news over the past two years, it’s probably hard to miss the buzz around Portugal, the newest destination for digital nomads looking for a unique and affordable place to live and work remotely.
While Lisbon has been a popular choice for many, the influx of digital nomads and foreigners hoping to enjoy a slice of Iberian paradise has led to an unsustainable and unfortunate rise in rents.
Lisbon, once an affordable hidden gem in the European tourist circuit, is now the place to be most expensive European city to rent an apartment (yes – it is now even more expensive than Paris and Amsterdam).
Within a year or two it has become “the world’s third least viable city to live in based on local wages and rents.” according to Jacobin.
This has driven most of the locals out of the rental market, forcing them to cross the river to towns such as Almada, Costa da Caparica and Setúbal.
However, remote workers interested in a piece of surfing paradise are now turning their attention to Ericeira, a charming surfing town on the Portuguese coast.
Could this be the beginning of this coastal city’s boom? Let’s take a look at the interest in Ericeira, whether it’s worth the hype or not, and how you can move to Portugal without becoming part of the problem.
Ericeira: Portugal’s sleepy surf town
Unlike the busy streets of Lisbon or Porto, Ericeira offers a more relaxed environment for digital nomads.
Located just 40 km northwest of Lisbon, the town is a Portuguese fishing village with picturesque beachscapes next to whitewashed buildings and cobbled streets.
It has more of a Greek island feel than a big city (such as Lisbon), and for many, that’s part of its unique charm and allure.
With fewer crowds (at least for now), Ericeira provides the perfect setting for focus and productivity, while still offering ample opportunities for networking and socializing.
But what makes the city so different from other digital nomad hotspots in Portugal and Europe?
Surf culture
Ericeira is known for its world-class surfing conditions (it hosted the World Surf League 2019 EDP Billabong Pro competition and has hosted several others).
This means that digital nomads interested in catching waves while working remotely will feel right at home in Ericeira, as the area is known for its consistent waves and variety of surf breaks.
There are more than 65 surf spots in the area, but if you are interested in checking out some of the most popular, visit Praia de São Julião, Praia da Foz do Lizandro or Praia do Sul.
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Digital nomad community
Despite being a smaller town, Ericeira is home to a thriving digital nomad community.
In fact, it often seems that there are more (and better) coworking options in Ericeira than in Lisbon, many of which offer typical surf city perks, such as surf lessons, yoga and healthy eating options.
In addition, you will find many regular meetings in Ericeira, which makes it easy to get in touch with other remote employees and even make professional contacts.
Work life balance
As mentioned, Ericeira is only about 45 minutes away from Lisbon.
It is also super close to enchanting destinations for day trips and weekend getaways such as Sintra, Mafra, Peniche and Portugal’s surfing capital, Nazaré.
With so many things to see and do in and around the sleepy surf town, many of which include natural parks, beautiful beaches and historic towns, it makes sense that Ericeira would be such an emerging hot spot for digital nomads looking to care for the perfect work-life balance.
With an abundance of natural surroundings, Ericeira offers ample opportunities to get some fresh air after long hours spent in front of a screen, promoting overall well-being, both mentally and physically.
The cost of living in Ericeira
Ericeira is currently ranked No. 40 on Nomad listwith high scores on quality of life, internet speed, fun, safety and walkability.
According to estimates on Nomadlist, as a digital nomad you can expect to pay just over $3,400 per month to live in Ericeira. That is about $300 less than the current average for Lisbon.
A simple search on Idealista shows that the average price for a two-bedroom apartment is around €1,500 per month.
Although it costs more than the cost of living as a digital nomad in cities like Bangkok, Zagreb, Chiang Mai or Dubrovnik, it is an affordable alternative to places like Lisbon, Barcelona or Rome.
Add to that the great surf spots, laid-back atmosphere of the coastal city, friendly locals, great climate and diverse coworking spaces, and it’s all worth the price to enjoy Europe’s next digital nomad hotspot before it becomes too popular is becoming.
How to be a responsible digital nomad
You only need to look at a few pictures of Ericeira to understand its appeal.
But how can you enjoy being there as a digital nomad without contributing to it becoming the next Lisbon or Canggu?
The main problem surrounding Portugal’s digital nomad hotspots is the rise in rental prices.
If you are planning to rent an apartment in Ericeira, don’t get involved in bidding wars with other foreigners just to get a nice place. This drives up rents and drives out the local population.
Speaking of the locals: always respect the local customs! Learn a little Portuguese, shop and eat locally, and do everything you can to integrate yourself into local life.
Learning about Portuguese history, creating meaningful connections and initiating projects that can uplift local communities can make life in Ericeira as a digital nomad all the more enriching.
Traveler warning: Don’t forget your travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
