Experience in Porto, Portugal by Xaninha

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

Porto is a very old city with traces of simplicity everywere and then you find shining spots in this small Portuguese city (comparing with barcelona, milan or manchester) full of luxury and diversity not just for the wallets but also for the eyes and all senses. The view over the river, from any side is always rich in details. It's a great city for young people to gain independence, cheap and full of opportunities.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Porto?

There's a great diversity of cultures in Porto's student community.

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How much does it cost to live in Porto?

Room rents around 200 € (or less), monthly ticket (no limit) for all tipes of public transport around 40 €. A pub in the center sells great beer (50cent) but pub beer can cost 2 €. Dinner is around 15 € (street dinner 5 €), bills/person 30 €.

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

There are plenty of options for all tipes of wallets, just stay near the metro station if you stay away from the center. The site TRIVAGO can help.

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

Food, awesome! Usual 'Francesinha': tasty, spicy and heavy but the grill fish with olive oil is the best.

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What places would you recommend visiting in Porto?

Go to Ribeira, Matosinhos, Gaia, Cristal Palace Gardens, Cordoaria, and visit Porto when they celebrate their patron saint, St. Jonh, in the end of June...it's a funny street party.

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

I like to cook and I just go to McDonald's or call PizzaHut when I'm tired of it.

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

Movida zone is the best place to go every night, full of pubs some with gardens in the back, but there are no big discos in the city.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Porto?

To keep your eyes open, not because it's dangerous (quite the opposite) but because every day you can find different things happening and some surprises will come for sure. Just enjoy it and live it outside the box... the weather is mild.

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