The Evora district is located in the southern part of Portugal and is named after its capital city. There are 14 municipalities within the district and the city of Evora has just over 41,000 inhabitants. The city has ranked fairly high on a number of surveys which set out to find the best places in Portugal to live and is considered to be a good choice thanks to the lifestyle it offers and the cost of living. The city has a history which dates back to pre-medieval times and attracts many visitors each year thanks to its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The climate of the district is much drier than some other areas, as even in winter it has half the average rainfall of some other districts. Temperatures are fairly mild, with an average of 10°C in winter and around 22°C in summer.

Those who are looking to retire to this area of Portugal should note that it frequently appears at the top of the rankings of the best places to live in the country. However, the fact that it is a world heritage site and attracts many visitors means that the cost of living and property prices are a little higher than in other areas. There are many tranquil towns in the district which are ideal for those who want a quiet life, while the city of Evora offers more in the way of night life and socialising.

A tourist related business should do well in the city of Evora, so those who are interested in running a bar or small hotel should find a steady stream of customers, particularly as the winters in the area are fairly mild. Advice can be sought from the local chamber of commerce on starting and establishing a business in the area.

The city of Evora has a university, which means that there are many low-priced rental properties available in the neighbourhoods around the university. This also provides a good business opportunity for those who want to purchase investment properties and rent them out. The city centre of Evora has a number of older properties, many of which have already been renovated to a high standard, although it is possible to buy some that still need work for a much cheaper price. The city has an advantage with schools as there are several to choose from and these have a good reputation.

As the district is in the southern part of the country, property prices are higher than in many other districts, particularly for those who are shopping at the luxury end of the market. A large villa in its own grounds with a swimming pool and more than 4 or 5 bedrooms can cost in the region of 400,000 Euros. Similar prices are charged for smaller houses that have a lot of land, which may be ideal for those who wish to start an agricultural-type business. Smaller properties with less land, which may be better for those who are looking to retire, come at a much lower price, but still higher than some of the properties in the towns. Buyers will find that many of the building plots have already been snapped up by developers and now have newly built properties on them. Building plots that have planning permission already in place are available, but can be 2 or 3 times the price of a similar plot in districts further north.

The small town of Arraiolos is in demand for properties and despite its location; these can be bought at very reasonable prices. Three bedroom houses in quieter parts of the town can be purchased for less than 100,000 Euros, although many in the town do not have much outdoor space. The town is ideal for those who are looking to retire, as the good size of the properties and the lower prices are of as much benefit as the tranquillity of the area. Property rental in the area is also very reasonable, although there are not as many rentals available as there are properties to buy. For families there is not a great deal of choice with local schools but the town does have good leisure amenities for shopping and sports.