[Discussion] Land plot reviews

Ideal plot specs:

  • 15,000 sqm + total
  • 800 sqm buildable
  • Less than 20 mins cycle ride from town
  • Near Parque Arrabida for air quality, nature and beautiful walks
  • Distance from neighbours so we aren’t irritating them if we make noise
  • Views or interesting features to work with
  • At least +12 ft/3.6m above water level

(ordered by level of interest from 1 high downwards)

Plot 1

Details:

Plot: On edge of Parque Arrabida
Price: 450,000 (negotiable)
Size total: 15,000 sqm
Size buildable: 380 sqm
Visited in person: Yes

For:

  • Location: ideal side of town and good distance from it. On the edge of Arrabida
  • Land has lovely grass and natural plants to work with in creating a beautiful secret garden vibe

Against:

  • Price is towards the top end of our budget
  • Overhead power cables aren’t a nice view
  • Industry next door might be noisy or dirty during week days (visited on weekend only)
  • Buildable area is small and would require creative solutions
  • Shared wall with a neighbour who keeps dogs and a horse on property. Might be an issue if we make noise.
  • Road next to plot is quite busy which would disturb peace and quiet on one side of land and/or require building a large wall

Plot 2

Details:

Plot: Next to Ikea, east of city
Price: 450,000
Size total: 6,320 sqm
Size buildable: 9.480 sqm of residential/commercial area. can build several floors until a maximum of 25m high. For example 3 buildings with 6 floors each. 30% of the total area must be for green areas.

Visited in person: yes

For:

  • Interesting and fun land plot. Easily turns into a secret garden with some views to the ocean.
  • Generous permissions for building would give plenty of options and probably high resale value if required in the future.
  • Ikea next door is handy and a small coffee stall near entrance would attract visitors

Against:

  • Small
  • Neighbours nearby so strategic wall or trees needed to prevent noise disturbing them
  • Plot is intended for high-rise housing and we’d need to check how that would work with what we plan to build
  • Very near port which might be noisy or have pollution issues during the week. There were no issues when we visited on the weekend.

Plot 3

Details:

Plot: Rua da Capela
Monte Belo Norte, São Sebastião
Price: 590,000
Size total: 73,918 sqm
Size buildable: 20,000 sqm
Visited in person: No

For:

  • Very large so parties, etc would be no issue with neighbours
  • Possibility to recoup some investment by selling off some pieces of the total land in the future
  • Good distance into town

Against:

  • Price is at the very top of our budget
  • Land area is quite dusty and dry. Would require work to create soft green spaces.

Plot 4

Near ferry terminal
352,500
27,200 sqm

For:

  • Large plot
  • Near town

Against

  • Unclear if we can build there or not
  • Industrial area with possible noise and pollution from port