São Miguel, Azores

Why it ranks

Subtropical oceanic: mild all year, 1,000–2,000 mm, geothermal, hydro, wind.

What drags it down

Furnas and Fogo are live volcanoes, the 1998 Faial quake (geo −7), ex‑hurricanes (Lorenzo 2019), price.

Water

Dairy nitrate — Sete Cidades and Furnas lakes are eutrophic. No mining, no nuclear.

Land prices

$20–38k (≈7–12 ac)

Rustic parcels €4.57/m² at Ribeira Seca, €6.02/m² for 2.5 ha of forest at Calhetas, €8.68/m² at Maia — $20–38k/acre. $250k ≈ 7–12 acres.

Hospital

Ponta Delgada 30–45 min; Paris 4.5 hr by air.

Buying as a US citizen

Open to Americans; EU.

Surf

+6: Santa Bárbara at Ribeira Grande, a WSL qualifying venue, September–March.

The numbers behind the score