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Several voices have been raised since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry purchased a residence near the Melides region of Portugal. “The worst thing that could happen to the coast of Portugal,” lamented one resident.
They follow the sun. After settling in California, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have reportedly purchased a vacation home in Portugal’s Melides region. Located in Alentejo, an area known for its preserved landscapes and its tranquility, the new home will catch the eye of Lilibeth and Archie’s parents after love at first sight of the place in September 2023. However, their purchase would be a spark. Lively debates within the country, provoking the indignation of a part of the local population and fueling criticism.
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Rising real estate prices
As reported Daily Express By the end of the week, Portugal had become a popular destination for the ultra-rich, who had been packing their bags for several years. Locals thus lament the gentrification of some sectors, which inevitably leads to rising real estate prices and thus the unaffordability of goods or rents for the middle classes. “The worst thing that could happen on the Portuguese coast is a typical greed situation. Taking land and property from the residents who have been there for years, that’s it,” said a certain Bradley McGuinness to the British daily newspaper. And another declared. “I am very upset about this huge plot of Portuguese land being disfigured for the rich, taken away from the ordinary local who have been creating memories in this place for generations.”
It is obvious that mass tourism is another black spot on the board. Many lament the overcrowding of this once peaceful and relaxing region at certain times of the year. In addition, residents will also be upset by the privatization of some beaches where restaurants are now reserved for the rich, especially on the beaches of the Algarve. “I’ve been going to this place for years, I’ve camped there a few times, and because of all this, it’s no longer possible,” continues local resident Diana Queiroz. Daily Express. While it was previously illegal to restrict access to public beaches, this change in protocol deepens the outrage. In this regard, a recent critique is made of the economic and environmental impact of these acquisitions, which are largely used as second homes and are often occupied only half the year.
Either way, after settling in California, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are on the move and seem to have packed their bags in Melides, also known as… “Portuguese California”.
Source: Le Figaro
