Why Madeira Island ?
The safety and security offered by the island has also been a factor for foreigners to move here – especially in recent years when terrorism has been a worry in other parts of Europe or northern Africa. There’s very little crime, most people speak good English and the medical care is superb.
When thinking of winter sun locations or a sun-drenched place perfect for retirement, the island of Madeira might not be the first place that springs to mind. Yet it really should be on your list if you are looking for somewhere that is relatively easy to reach – it’s less than four hours by air – as well as with a great quality of life and a high standard of amenities.
The subtropical climate of island, sitting in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa, is part of the appeal; and the weather is a big subject on an undulating terrain where conditions can change from one side of the mountain to the next.
Balmy days of maybe 17C or 18C in February make it an appealing place to be. The outdoor lifestyle prevails, with the pavement cafés of Funchal bustling with visitors and locals, the many tropical gardens full of bright flowers and a few people even out on the small beaches of the south coast.
Natural beauty and climate aside, it’s the laid-back, friendly locals, the excellent standard of healthcare and the low-key way of life that appeals to prospective expats. People are rarely in a hurry, there is an amazing selection of fresh fish and tropical fruits and highly affordable local tipples such as Madeira.
If you do decide to go, there’s a strong chance you’ll rather like it. Many of those people who visit will go back there. The island has the second-highest repeat visitor rate for an island resort in the world (after Hawaii). So that’s the highest in Europe – more than the Canary Islands, Malta and Cyprus, those other popular places for winter sun and retirement.
While properties in the popular areas are not as cheap as you might find across some stretches of southern Europe, the cost of living is very affordable (90 cents for a cup of coffee, for example) and the tax benefits offered by the Portuguese government since 2009 have become another aspect of the appeal for those who wish to spend at least half the year on the island.
Which part of the island
There’s a consistency to the varied weather patterns and many microclimates of the island, yet if you want to enjoy plenty of sun you head to the south coast. The cooler north might be popular with walkers and the increasing number of trail runners heading to the island, but for many property hunters the stretch between Prazeres in the south-west and the southern capital Funchal, to the east, is the place to be.
Funchal area
Funchal is a popular place for locals to live. In fact, there’s a shortage of places to rent long term there because of the appetite for Airbnb among some owners, but it’s not cheap and prices are second only to Portugal’s capital Lisbon. You can get a resale apartment there for around €150,000, although you will pay nearer €250,000 for a new one. In Sao Martinho, the “noble” area of the city where you can find some larger properties, you will need to pay about €500,000 for a three-bedroom villa with a pool, or up to €2million for a more substantial one. “The Forum area to the west of Funchal is very sought-after too, with its own shopping mall and only five minutes’ drive to the center. It offers some properties with great sea views. Whilst German buyers especially like Caniço and Garajau.”
Southern coast for sun-seekers
Before Madeira received EU grants for building tunnels through its myriad peaks, the windy switchback mountain roads meant that it took a couple of hours to reach somewhere 10 miles along the coast. But now it’s possible to reach the sunniest spot on the island – the aptly named Ponta do Sol – in about 25 minutes from the capital, meaning it’s possible to enjoy the peace and tranquility of rural life, but with everything you need within easy reach. So the hubs of Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Calheta are, in a low-key Madeiran fashion, the buyer hot spots.
Tucked into the banana carpeted hillsides and fields of sugar cane you will find a mix of homes, from rustic homesteads to grander quintas (farms), 20-year-old villas and strikingly contemporary new homes. With terraces and swimming pools constructed atop retaining walls, these houses are not cheap to build, yet enjoy some spectacular views across the sea and the sides of the valley.
We help you to find your dream property
On madeira it is not common that a property seller gives exclusivity to only one real estate agency. In fact every registered real estate agency can sell the property. At the moment there are 152 official real estate company’s on Madeira island and even more real estate consultants working for that company’s.
You do not buy a house every day so we can imagine that you need some help.
If you are serious about finding your dream lifestyle property on the island we offer a property finding service, working together with a handful of professional, reliable, and licensed partners to give you a personalized and competent service through the entire purchase procedure of selection, viewing, offer, contract and handover.
You have to deal with the sales broker who acts in the interest of the seller. With Madeira Exclusive as your own purchase broker who helps you, you as a buyer are in a much stronger position. You benefit from our knowledge of the market, our solidity and our extensive experience. For many years we have been independent between all regular brokers, who usually act on behalf of the sellers.
Do you not know exactly what to look out for during a visit? Is the house structurally in good condition? Do you know how to ask the right questions? Do you find it difficult to negotiate? The whole process can be difficult but, it can be otherwise. Buying a house can really be done without worries! With the right guidance it is also possible to make the right decision, to find out what the house is worth, to choose a well-thought-out negotiation strategy and to know exactly what the fine print means in the purchase contract.
We don’t sell property’s but help you buy your dream property !
For further information on any of these options, we would be delighted to speak to you and discuss your personal requirements.