Another agonizingly brief British summer has rocketed past, with citizens up and down the country now reaching for vitamin D tablets and sun lamps, after the scientific advisory committee on nutrition advised that the UK simply doesn't get enough sunlight to provide healthy levels of this essential nutrient. Some people are going one step further and chasing the summer sun overseas with a property purchase in Portugal.
Whether it's for occasional use as a holiday home or the perfect property to retire to, owning a home in Portugal is a sure-fire way to boost your vitamin D levels. For Ken and Marion Lamb, the Algarve's glorious sunshine was a key reason behind their decision to purchase a beautiful three bedroom home at O Pomar, in the sleepy eastern Algarve village of Cabanas.
The couple bought through boutique estate agency Ideal Homes Portugal after meeting them at a property show in Manchester. The Ideal Homes Portugal team had their lawyer at the show, meaning that the Lambs' long list of questions relating to taxes, inheritance and pensions could be discussed in detail. A week later, Ken and Marion were touring the Algarve and viewing properties. Just five weeks after that, they took possession of their new Portuguese home.
Ken comments,
"I had no idea it would be this easy. Ideal Homes Portugal were fantastic - I would describe them as polished but definitely not pushy. We may decide at some point to buy a further property in Portugal but we would keep this apartment either way - it is a terrific investment."
Owning a home in Portugal opens up a wealth of possibilities, including the option to retire there. According to the 2015 Retire Overseas Index list from Live and Invest Overseas, which ranks the best locations by taking into account affordability, adventure, cuisine and other factors, the Algarve is the best place in the world to spend your golden years. It is the second year in a row that the southern Portugal region has topped the ranking.
As well as couples, the Algarve attracts plenty of single retirees each year. According to Live and Invest Overseas' Kathleen Peddicord, certain factors are particularly important to single women looking to retire abroad (many apply to men too). These include English-speaking expats, walkability, an active social life, personal safety, a 
rich cultural experience and opportunities for volunteering. Algarve towns and villages certainly provides all of these in abundance, as well as good food, good wine and those all-important 300 days of sunshine per year.
Chris White, Founding Director of Ideal Homes Portugal, comments,
"The Algarve is one of those special places that offers the whole package. It's about the full lifestyle, not just one or two benefits. Being able to own a property in such an area is an exciting achievement, particularly when it means opening up the option to one day live there fulltime."
A contemporary, two bedroom apartment with large communal pool in O Pomar, Cabanas, costs €177,500. A three bedroom townhouse on the same site, which also boasts a welcoming, English style pub and an excellent cocktail bar/restaurant run by a French and Portuguese couple, is available for €310,000.
For further details call Ideal Homes Portugal on 0800 133 7644 or +351 289 513 434, email enquiries@idealhomesportugal.com or visit www.idealhomesportugal.com.
