Experience in Porto, Portugal by Jorge

What is it like to live in Porto? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I would recommend Porto because I think the people there are nore friendly than other cities in Portugal like Lisbon. My father and my mother were both from the north of Portugal and they used to say the same. I lived for some time there and I felt the same. People is more open and receive foreigners as friends not only because the money that they spend there. They like the interaction with other persons.
The food is great and very different from Lisbon or Faro (Algarve), etc. The history and the monuments are beautiful and interesting. The weather is not as great as in Algarve but the atmosphere that it creates is interesting too. Parties are not so much as in Lisbon, etc., but the interaction between Portuguese people and foreigners are better. Prices are low than other cities. Transport is easy and entertainment is around the corner.

What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

I think that Porto is better than Lisbon for students due to the interaction with local people and its customs. There are lots of options for students, like the architecture, the culture and parties as there are lots of students from the whole world and it becomes easier to change experiencies.

How much does it cost to live in Porto?

I think that it costs in average 30% less than living in any other city in Portugal.It is cheap compared with England or Spain as I know this countries.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Porto? Is there any advice you can give?

It is easy to find accommodation for students. There are a lot of sites in the internet offering rooms for sharing as well as "Residenciais" cheaper than any where, mainly Lisbon and Algarve.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is great. The variety is huge. My favorite plate is "Tripas à moda do Porto".

What places would you recommend visiting in Porto?

The monuments, the library, the "old" Porto and its streets and Bars, etc

Is it good to eat out in Porto? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Its great to eat there. It is cheap and the atmosphere everywhere is friendly and easy to make friends where we eat.
I can not point only some spots as there are a lot of them in Porto.

Is the nightlife good in Porto? Where is good to go?

As I said above, there are lots of points to go in Porto mainly at the weekends and even on Friday. Near the Universities there are always great places for the night parties.

What advice would you give future students heading to Porto?

I would strongly recommend students to choose Porto than other cities as I said, people is more receptive, friendly and welcome persons from other countries without discrimination. Costs are cheaper for everything. Transports are very well integrated and makes it easy to go anywhere. The food is great and cheap. The accommodation is cheaper too. What else we would desire more...Go with the flow! Go to Porto!