On meeting the various clients that we tour with the view of purchasing their ideal holiday home we find they split in to two distinct camps. Town centre access or beach and sea view.
So which do you fall into? I have tried to detail some of the decision factors of these two different locations based on the geographical dynamics and social benefits of Lagos and surrounding areas.
Firstly beach with sea view. This is arguably one of the most difficult styles of property to find in Lagos but a little easier in Luz. Because of the way Lagos sits on the coast line the main beach area that actually has properties on it is Meia Praia. This faces south south west, which sounds great. The issue here is the volume of properties on this stretch of coast line, along with an even lower number of real quality properties that this coastline deserves.
The town itself actually faces north north east from the main Avenida. This again poses a problem in that anything facing the bay loses sun at around lunchtime! So if you are looking for that sea view property where should you look? Well as previously mentioned Meia Praia offers super views and lots of sun.
Other locations in Lagos would be Praia D’Ana but again here there is a shortage of properties. So the most probable location would be Porto de Mós. Pretty much dead south facing this area has an abundance of quality properties most with good to excellent sea views.
New developments are planned (Rodrigues & Vermelho has a new project to start later this year – contact me for details) also as well as some great plots (such as bpa4123-b again contact me for details) where you can build an amazing 4 bedroom villa with immediate sea views.
Praia da Luz offers some great views and is again south facing. A little built up nowadays but still a real favourite for ex-pats and holiday makers. Plots and a range of properties from as low as 130,000€ are available through to luxury ocean fronting villas and plots are available.
So what about properties with town access?
These are generally located on the opposite side of the river in Lagos from Meia Praia and create the cluster of properties that has made Lagos famous over the years. From the cobbled streets in the old town centre to the uber modern apartment complexes at Santo Amaro and around the area of São Sebastião.
The area known as Lagos is broken down in to 4 smaller areas called Freguesias these areas offer varying options from real holiday properties to residential urbanisations and even rural areas. São Sebastião and Santa Maria were two separate locations splitting Lagos city in two but recently this has changed and the Câmara now classes Lagos as one Freguesia.
The next are the areas of Bensafrim & Barão de São João the third is Luz in its own right and finally Odiáxere. The 4 areas make up the modern day municipality of Lagos. Confused?
So back to town access. Of course the main areas offering real access will be both Lagos and Luz. For Lagos the areas within the city walls offer traditional living in a traditional location. However it is very difficult to get a great sea view form here. Some properties have it but not many and those that do have a north north east aspect.
Areas such as Cerro de Mós as well as areas around Lidl, Torraltinha and Santo Amaro offer great longer term living experiences as they are superbly located for everything in the town and access is generally by foot rather than car. However the trade off from great accessibility is views as most of these areas offer little to good sea views. Therefore you will find the standard of the finishes is often higher than that of a sea view property!
As for Luz you can get the best of both worlds. Most properties even the more residential areas offer some type of view. Areas in Montinho de Luz not so much but over all you get both. The town is much quieter in the winter and you may find your trips to Lagos a daily one but access to the beach, town and shops is all by foot.
So the decision is yours. Great access and walk to everything or great views and beach but a walk into town…
For more advice or simply to discuss which option is best for you contact me on david@bpaproperty.com
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