Finding Balance Between London and Lisbon

Georgina Lawton explains how splitting her time between London and Lisbon was the right choice for her.

I’m based in both London and Lisbon – and this has worked wonders for my mental health.

These two cities couldn’t be more different, of course – but that’s why I cherish them both. As a freelance writer, results come far more easily in Lisbon than in my home city. I moved to Lisbon in 2020, managing to secure a residency and an affordable apartment before the UK left the EU and thousands more people rushed here.

Lisbon is quainter than South London and offers a slower pace – which frees up time for creative thinking. Although the global rise in the cost of living is also impacting Portugal, working remotely with clients from the UK and USA means my money goes further here. This, in turn, allows me more freedom to work at the pace I desire.

A typical day in Lisbon? I wake up and walk along the cobbled streets to my local cafe, where I get my morning cafe pingado (espresso with milk) for under one euro. With my dog Jasper, I then head to another cafe or co-working space, where I write a travel article or plan a writing event. I run creative and writing retreats for women of color in Sintra, just outside of the city; the next one is in November. I’m usually done with work by 3 or 4pm – then it’s either off to the gym or for a cocktail or beer at one of the many miradouros (viewpoints) that offer panoramic views of the city.

Traveling from one side of Lisbon to the other rarely takes more than 30 minutes – which means making plans with friends is incredibly easy. In London, I have to arrange dates with my friends weeks or even months in advance; however, in Lisbon, I can text a friend 30 minutes before I want to see them. After three years of living here, I never feel lonely. The weather – nine months of sunshine a year – also plays a part in boosting my mood. Moreover, I know all the neighbors in my building, which makes me feel part of a community in a way I never did in London.

Missing Those Unique Experiences from Brixton

There are drawbacks to living in Lisbon, however, which is why I’m grateful to still have my London base for work. When my projects were released in 2021, I had to travel back and forth to attend various literary festivals and events. Although I loved it, the extensive travel became tiring, and I’ve missed out on many work opportunities since I moved to Portugal. I sometimes feel cut off from the English literary hub. As a Black Londoner, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the spices and hair products that are easily available in Brixton. While I’m learning Portuguese, there are moments where I just want to be among an English crowd, enjoying music that resonates with my identity.

Brexit and the rise of right-wing populism make it feel as if the world is shrinking. Every time I share content related to Lisbon, I encounter negative reactions, yet I choose to ignore them. Nevertheless, it’s peculiar to be part of the wave of gentrification in Lisbon, where a housing crisis similar to London’s has emerged, with the government doing little to help. Despite Portugal having one of the highest rates of emigration and previously experiencing a declining population, there’s a growing backlash against foreigners – especially remote workers. Local wages have remained stagnant, prompting widespread protests.

For those considering a full move, I’d say: go for it. It takes a bit of planning – but the payoff of living in eternal summer is worth it. Remember that even though English is widely spoken in Lisbon, attempting to learn the language is essential. Without residency, British passport holders can only spend 90 days in Europe each year (for EU passport holders, the rules differ) – but that’s the perfect amount of time for a trial run.

This summer, I’ve left my dog with a friend and found a sublet for my London apartment, and it’s working fine. When I return to London for work trips or visits, I stay with friends and family; in the future, if I need to return for a longer period, I’d consider a house swap like I’ve seen on social media.

But for the moment, I feel as if I have the best of both worlds.