With @gnunicornBen we will start our company @effektio in Lisbon, Portugal. But not only that. We are also moving from Germany to Lisbon.
This is why.
Startups
Lisbon is the startup capital of Europe. There are a lot of startups and digital nomads in a huge startup ecosystem. Also huge events like the @WebSummit moved there.
English speaking
When you walk through the streets of Lisbon, you meet a lot of English speakers. I've met very few people who didn't speak English. Portugal is so small that it has to be international. A big pro.
Less bureaucracy
Many expats complain about the bureaucracy in Portugal. But coming from Germany, it's a big difference. In Portugal I can set up a company online in 15 minutes. No comparison to Germany, where it can take you months.
Affordable living
Compared to other European cities, Lisbon is very affordable.
Prices for housing and food are acceptable, although they are slowly rising.
Quality of life
Lisbon has a very low crime rate. People there are very tolerant. No matter what color you are or who you love, you are welcome here. You can also find good food and a lot of culture like bars, museums etc.
Wheather
Portugal offers more than 300 sunny days per year. In summer it can get hot. But there's the Atlantic Ocean, where a cool breeze usually blows. Most of the year the temperatures are moderate compared to the Mediterranean. Also the mild winters are really great.