"Why the Eastern Algarve is our own little paradise!"
Ten years after buying a second home in Portugal, Karl and Helen Chapman are happily settled here and grateful to Ideal Homes Portugal for introducing them to the Eastern Algarve and its idyllic lifestyle.
The Herefordshire couple’s love affair with Portugal began in 2013 when they visited for the first time to look at property with Ideal Homes Portugal. They were attracted to the traditional eastern part of the Algarve and keen to view an apartment in the pretty coastal village of Cabanas, which they had spotted on-line. By the time they flew home from their trip, they had had an offer accepted on a brand-new townhouse!
“We’d always dreamt of owning an overseas property and used to peer in estate agents’ windows when we were on holiday,” said 55-year-old Karl. “So we made a plan to buy somewhere and be able to retire there within 10 years. Back then I was running an electrical business and Helen worked in finance. We did lots of research on the internet, watched all the TV shows and attended an Ideal Homes event in Birmingham. We liked the company so arranged to go out and view properties with them.”
The Chapmans, who have two adult daughters back in the UK, were met at Faro Airport by Caroline Roseblade from the Ideal Homes team. She spent five days with them, doing property viewings and showing them different areas. They looked at the apartment in Cabanas, which fitted their budget of around €140,000, but the location wasn’t right.
“By chance, during our trip Caroline had to pop into a property in the village next to Cabanas and we were unexpectedly wowed by it,” continued Helen, aged 53. “She hadn’t intended to show us but we asked to see inside and decided quickly it was the one for us, despite its higher price tag! One of the reasons we were drawn to the Eastern Algarve was because it’s quieter and more Portuguese than the developed tourist areas to the west of Faro. This is also means that property and day-to-day living is cheaper where we are.”
The property that won the couple’s hearts was the last townhouse in a row of 16 located on the outskirts of Conceição. On one side it looked directly onto countryside while the village centre with amenities, including railway station, was a five-minute walk in the other direction. Both practical and spacious, the downstairs living space included a hall, living area, kitchen, shower room/toilet and terrace. Upstairs were two bedrooms with balconies and family bathroom and on the top level was a potential third bedroom with wet room and sun terrace.
“The quiet location within walking distance of everything, including Cabanas seafront a 30-minute stroll away, was perfect,” continued Karl. “It was brand new and we felt reassured that the builder had already completed apartment blocks in the village. Equally appealing was how easy it was to lock-up-and-leave, which is what we needed at that time. Our offer of €185,000 was accepted and we completed a few months later. Right from the start, Caroline was fantastic. We told her our long-term plans and she explained what it was like living in Portugal, including practical things like tax. She knew how to put things in plain English and really helped put our minds at rest throughout the buying process.”
Aerial view of the Ria Formosa, Tavira
Thrilled new owners of a Portuguese home, the Chapmans visited regularly for long weekends and family holidays. Then five years ago, Helen took the first step towards realising their retirement dream and moved over permanently. Karl continued to commute between the UK and the Algarve while he wrapped up his business until he was able to relocate too three years ago.
“We adore life here,” enthused Helen. “The people are so welcoming, it’s clean, the food is lovely and everything is affordable. Aside from walks along the beach together, Karl is involved with local football and loves doing photography, while I help with rescue dogs and enjoy yoga. Recently we’ve started producing our own fruit and vegetables and are involved with a sharing scheme with other locals!”
It's thanks to the Chapmans recent purchase of an exciting new home that they can now grow their own produce! Realising they wanted to embrace a more rustic, sustainable lifestyle, in 2021 they sold their townhouse and moved into rented accommodation. They have since bought a run-down agricultural house further east on the edge of Vila Nova de Cacela. The property, located in the village of Pocinho, sits on a 3,000-square-metre plot with almond, fig, lemon and orange trees. It needs completely rebuilding and the couple are on the verge of appointing a contractor to create their rustic paradise.
Caroline is genuinely thrilled to be part of the team at Ideal Homes Portugal, where her passion for real estate and dedication to helping clients find their perfect home truly shine. With years of experience and deep knowledge of the Algarve market, she’s become a trusted expert in guiding buyers through every step of the process. Caroline’s friendly, professional approach and attention to detail make her a valued asset to both the company and the clients she serves.
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