Our new riches are time, wellness, home life with family, connection to nature, a feeling of safety, active living, and self-fulfilment. Now, more people than ever are searching for a place in the world that gives them all of this. As we reveal, they need look no further than the Algarve and its exclusive beachfront resort, Vale do Lobo.
Where you live defines how well you live
If there’s one thing Covid-19 pandemic has taught us, it’s that health and home are our greatest personal assets. It’s no surprise then that respected bodies like the Global Wellness Institute have identified ‘Wellness lifestyle real estate’ as an upward trend. They say there is a growing awareness of the fact that where we reside affects our daily behaviours, which, in turn, can impact our health.
A better home life, community and surrounding environment can encourage social interactions, an active lifestyle, and healthier living. The knock-on rewards, such as improved sleep and reduced stress, can be life-changing. But where on earth can we find such a Paradise? The truth is it’s been here forever. The Algarve has long been worshipped as one of the happiest and healthiest places to make a home. Our culture is warm and welcoming. Our climate inspires outdoor living. Our air is some of the cleanest in the world. And the health benefits of our Mediterranean-style cuisine are proven.
“Since our homes are typically our most important personal investment and expenditure, it’s only logical they should also be an investment in our health and wellbeing.”
Global Wellness Institute
Your outdoor oasis in alfresco Algarve
If 2020 did us one favour, it focused our minds on important things. High up on the list was the need for more time outside in the fresh air. For urban inhabitants, that meant leaving the city for the respite of rural areas. And for some, it was more than a quick fix and led to them putting down roots in the less polluted and less costly countryside. The great outdoors is at the very heart of Vale do Lobo’s effortless resort lifestyle. Dining, socialising, playing, exercising, and working all happen in our 300 days of sunshine. And don’t forget all those balmy evenings. It explains why golf, tennis, cycling and other sports are more than pastimes here; they’re part of the culture.
Of all healthy the outdoor lifestyles, beach living must be one of the most uplifting and invigorating. Those who buy in the Algarve tend to choose locations near the coast for that reason. And it might motivate any would-be residents to know that our beaches are unrivalled globally. In 2020, the region was voted the World’s Leading Beach Destination in the World Travel Awards. With a kilometre of natural golden sand on Vale do Lobo’s doorstep, we’ve always known the quality of our beaches is world-class.
Treasuring nature and environment
It will be heartening for those with sights set on Portugal to hear that our country invests heavily in protecting the natural world. The Algarve is renowned for its breath-taking landscapes of which our neighbouring Ria Formosa Nature Reserve is the jewel. Getting out and enjoying these wide-open spaces and their abundant wildlife is a joy of living here and profoundly nourishing for heart and soul.
A welcoming hand with unexpected gifts
Of course, relocating abroad is an expensive enterprise. But, again, choosing Portugal has some attractive advantages. There are currently two schemes aimed at foreign buyers, both offering enticing financial incentives. The Non Habitual Residents (NHR) tax regime includes tax exemption on pensions and almost all income from foreign sources. The Portuguese Residency Visa Permit – also known as The Golden Visa – allows free travel in the European Union and Schengen Countries to buyers of properties valued at €500,000 or more.
A pro tem haven for digital nomads
Enjoying a revitalising location might not necessarily mean upping sticks and buying a new home. Our new age of remote working has made many professionals wake up to the fact that they could temporarily relocate their workplace anywhere in the world. And this mind shift is driving a trend for longer rentals. Many resorts, like Vale do Lobo, are creating Work & Stay packages, offering spaces to live and continue working, with the added benefits of super-fast Wi-Fi, resort perks, and the inherent bonus of a stunning environment. Moreover, in achieving an enhanced work/life balance, guests who have made the leap are finding they boost their productivity as well as their wellbeing.
Positive signs of a growing movement
We’ve discussed the reasons behind the trend to buy in the Algarve, but what of the proof? Despite the obvious restrictions last year, Vale do Lobo saw an uplift in property activity. A significant number of properties – from apartments through to the very high-end detached villas – were successfully sold by our sales team, and construction is soon to begin on purchased plots.
The UK and Ireland remain our biggest markets, but increased leads and purchasers coming from Germany, Holland, Portugal and Belgium is a clear trend.
One interpretation of this welcome surge in activity is that the market is responding to recent pivotal world events. The Covid-19 pandemic has inspired many to look at Portugal as a safe haven. And Brexit has given rise to a flurry of interest from clients wanting to take advantage of the Golden Visa scheme before the rules change in July this year.
Such strong signs of property activity – ongoing in early 2021 – prove that a Vale do Lobo home continues to entice as a highly desirable investment. Our resort boasts a strong sense of community and social energy, a rich menu of amenities and experiences, and an enviable beachfront situation. In many ways, Vale do Lobo is the region’s sweet spot and the natural choice for savvy homebuyers.
As we write, vaccines are starting to offer us a glimmer of hope that we might move freely around the world once more. In our opinion – and the facts clearly support it – making your first flight a property viewing trip to Vale do Lobo might be the smartest move you’ve ever made – a step in the right direction to living your best life.
