Looking at the state of the weather in the US and UK right now, I can see why so many people are upping sticks and moving to the Algarve. With many property prices seriously reduced, there are some wonderful opportunities to snap up a bargain. And the weather! OK, it’s a bit cloudy as I write and there is a bit of a nip in the air, and we may even get a shower later; doubtful but we may.
USA: Arctic conditions
Just look at what’s going on in the good old US. There’s a “polar vortex” (what on earth is that?) sweeping across country, bringing arctic weather with it and dangerous, life threatening winds. They’ve had 2 feet of snow dumped on them and now there’s a ‘front’ arriving to turn everything in sight to ice. Temperatures have plummeted to minus 20 degrees, with the wind chill factor making it seem like 50 below, or worse. More than 140 million people have been affected, with many losing all power in the coldest weather conditions experienced in decades. Some States have even forbidden people to venture out unless it’s an emergency!
UK: Gales and flood alerts
And what about the UK? Storms, spring tides and lashing rain have wreaked havoc along the British coastline, from the Scilly Isles to Scotland, with serious flooding in many areas. Severe gales are whipping up the already stormy seas and many rivers have broken their banks and flooded coastal towns as well as inland farms and villages. Warnings have gone out for people to stay well away from coastal paths and promenades; drivers have been advised not to drive in flooded areas but to go by boat instead! Emergency agencies and power companies are on high alert, and just think of all those poor people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and have had to take refuge in school halls and parish halls for safety.
Algarve: Mostly sunny, a good dose of sunshine and spring in the air already
While here in the Algarve, life is serene. The weather may be a bit nippy and there are a few clouds about, but when in the sunshine and out of the wind, we are warm; unlike the American lady who, when interviewed yesterday, admitted to wearing FOUR sets of thermals, TWO lots of ski pants, FOUR shirts, TWO jumpers and a ski jacket, as well as a hat and two scarves! And here am I, feeling bulky with a sweater and jacket!
Walking and hiking was voted the most popular activity among expats who completed our recent survey and it’s a fantastic time of year to enjoy this healthy hobby. The beautiful almond blossom has just started to bloom and the thousands of almond trees will soon make the Algarve look like a winter wonderland – without the freezing snow! And, it won’t be long before the wild orchids cover the fields. The citrus groves are bursting with colourful fruit, all the trees are in bud and spring is just around the corner. Even the white storks that normally migrate to Africa seem to have decided to winter in the Algarve. It’s no wonder that so many people are buying property here and settling down to sunny winters. We don’t get snow, sleet and ice and our rivers are not breaking their banks and flooding us out. We stay snug, warm and safe under our sheltered sunny terraces and in front of our our cosy log fires in the evenings. Life is good in the Algarve don’t you think?
Meravista is now listing 14,000 properties for sale in the Algarve and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see quite a few of them snapped up by frozen Americans and sopping Brits.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Winter in the Algarve – you wouldn’t think so
by Sun’s Dragon
Looking at the state of the weather in the US and UK right now, I can see why so many people are upping sticks and moving to the Algarve. With many property prices seriously reduced, there are some wonderful opportunities to snap up a bargain. And the weather! OK, it’s a bit cloudy as I write and there is a bit of a nip in the air, and we may even get a shower later; doubtful but we may.
Just look at what’s going on in the good old US. There’s a “polar vortex” (what on earth is that?) sweeping across country, bringing arctic weather with it and dangerous, life threatening winds. They’ve had 2 feet of snow dumped on them and now there’s a ‘front’ arriving to turn everything in sight to ice. Temperatures have plummeted to minus 20 degrees, with the wind chill factor making it seem like 50 below, or worse. More than 140 million people have been affected, with many losing all power in the coldest weather conditions experienced in decades. Some States have even forbidden people to venture out unless it’s an emergency!
And what about the UK? Storms, spring tides and lashing rain have wreaked havoc along the British coastline, from the Scilly Isles to Scotland, with serious flooding in many areas. Severe gales are whipping up the already stormy seas and many rivers have broken their banks and flooded coastal towns as well as inland farms and villages. Warnings have gone out for people to stay well away from coastal paths and promenades; drivers have been advised not to drive in flooded areas but to go by boat instead! Emergency agencies and power companies are on high alert, and just think of all those poor people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and have had to take refuge in school halls and parish halls for safety.
Algarve: Mostly sunny, a good dose of sunshine and spring in the air already
While here in the Algarve, life is serene. The weather may be a bit nippy and there are a few clouds about, but when in the sunshine and out of the wind, we are warm; unlike the American lady who, when interviewed yesterday, admitted to wearing FOUR sets of thermals, TWO lots of ski pants, FOUR shirts, TWO jumpers and a ski jacket, as well as a hat and two scarves! And here am I, feeling bulky with a sweater and jacket!
Walking and hiking was voted the most popular activity among expats who completed our recent survey and it’s a fantastic time of year to enjoy this healthy hobby. The beautiful almond blossom has just started to bloom and the thousands of almond trees will soon make the Algarve look like a winter wonderland – without the freezing snow! And, it won’t be long before the wild orchids cover the fields. The citrus groves are bursting with colourful fruit, all the trees are in bud and spring is just around the corner. Even the white storks that normally migrate to Africa seem to have decided to winter in the Algarve. It’s no wonder that so many people are buying property here and settling down to sunny winters. We don’t get snow, sleet and ice and our rivers are not breaking their banks and flooding us out. We stay snug, warm and safe under our sheltered sunny terraces and in front of our our cosy log fires in the evenings. Life is good in the Algarve don’t you think?
Meravista is now listing 14,000 properties for sale in the Algarve and it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see quite a few of them snapped up by frozen Americans and sopping Brits.
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.