A brief recap: Since arriving at Ocean Villas Luz in August 2020, writer David Lugg has been experiencing all aspects of Luz Life. This is his review of July 2024:
Let’s talk numbers. Don’t worry, I’m not going to bore you (hopefully), but I thought I’d present a few numerical examples of why Portugal remains at the very top of many people’s lists. There are some interesting facts and figures that might surprise you, or if you are a seasoned regular, might just reinforce what you already know.
Do take the following statistics with a pinch of salt but they come from reputable sources such as the rather grand sounding ‘Institute of Economics and Peace’. First up, Portugal is currently the seventh safest nation in the world according to the 2024 Global Peace Index. The annual study indicates that world peace has deteriorated by 6% in the past 15 years but Portugal continues to sit contentedly in its own oblivious bubble. If you have visited this lovely country, you will understand that the Portuguese are mild-mannered and placid in nature. Anything other than peace just wouldn’t feel right.
Portugal is also currently rated as the second best country in the world to retire. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a combination of good weather, beautiful scenery, kind people and low crime is an advantageous place to live out the most relaxing years of your life. The pace of life is reassuringly slow and stress levels flicker between negligible and nothing. The only exception is if you ever see me in a supermarket queue. I’ll probably be quietly venting, whilst grandma searches in vain at the bottom of her cavernous handbag for an extra three cents to buy cat food. Evolution is quicker than a Portuguese supermarket queue.
On a similar vein, a 2024 study showed Portugal to be the fourth most relaxing country in Europe. With an abundance of national parks, hiking trails and unspoilt scenery, there are few countries more equipped to offer the chance to unwind. The relaxation study also highlighted the high number of spas and yoga retreats, both of which can be found in Praia da Luz. In fact, Ocean Villas Luz offers daily yoga in our oceanfront gardens, whilst mobile beauty therapist Pamela can provide massage from the comfort of your villa or apartment.
Finally, and perhaps most relevant to me, Portugal was recently voted the tenth best country in the world for expats. It ranked highly on environment, climate, safety, security, culture and local friendliness. Yes, I’ll take that. That sounds good to me. When all is said and done, I make my decisions based upon what is best for my family. That sounds like a pretty good list to use as a guideline for life happiness.
It transpires that having the world’s slowest supermarket queues is a small price to pay when living in one of the safest and most peaceful nations in the world. Granted, I once grew a full beard whilst waiting at a check out at Pingo Doce supermarket, but I did so in the knowledge that my family and I were safe and happy.
I’ll leave you this month with a funny anecdote that I heard from a Portuguese taxi driver who, it is fair say, had a very dry sense of humour. We were discussing the highs and lows of living in a different country. He had also spent time abroad but had recently returned to his homeland. I asked him for his honest thoughts on his own country. After a moment’s contemplation he told me that “The Portuguese think that Portugal is the best at everything but they also think that Portugal is the worst at everything”. I guess life would be boring if it was straightforward.
See you soon in the sun…(or in the supermarket).
More news next month.
David Lugg
@oceanvillasluz
@davidluggwriter
All photo images owned by David Lugg.