Just my two cents, living in Penha de França: depending on the street, it is basically a cheaper Graça with less tourist, a less busy Arroios or as bad as Olivais. I like it here, and honestly when looking for a place to buy I made a decision that I did not want to spend what is needed to live in these other neighbourhoods. I go to Estrela for brunch. It's nice, but it got to a point that it almost feels like another city, possibly because 1/3 of the people living there now are tourists or nomads. This is totally fine, but if you want to get a taste of the more "authentic" Lisbon, I suggest to get out of the "nomad comfort zone". Maybe you'll find out that having a chat with an old and loud Portuguese lady is better than your Copenhagen cold brew. - Enrico, April 2020

I've lived in Avenidas Novas, near Gulbenkian, then I spent some time in Massamá, a few nights now and then in Alvalade and Benfica and now I live in Penha de França and it's my favourite place by far. Yes you have to walk a bit to the subway but I have so many buses right at my door that it doesn't matter. I just love how safe I feel there. Plus, I love the view. - Filipa, April 2020

It is not very near to metro statio (even if you can reach with bus or walking for 20 minutes).It is full of Portoguese people without turist. Seems to be in a little town very typical and you have all the shops that you need around you. - Daniele, April 2020

Great views but very bad public transports and not the best neighbours, not specially bad but a bit isolated at night. - Carlos, August 2020

I've been living in Penha de Franca for 6 months now and it's a really nice place where to stay in Lisbon, lovely. It's absent from tourism and it's authentic, here you've got the chance to meet the real Portuguese everyday life reality/pace (and to learn more Portuguese!). My house is somewhere near the border with the freguesia of Arroios, so the metro station wasn't that distant and in 8-10 minutes I could reach both Alameda and Arroios metro station (which helped to feel more connected to the rest of the city). Downsides, the area is quite poor and sometimes it's sad to get aware that there can be people living on the streets (even though the community around has always helped them). But except for this characteristics the area is enjoyable, with a freguesia swimming pool and a cozy and "secret" miradouro next to it (which makes you feel like it's a personal spot to enjoy a fantastic view of the city). And food. I found that the pastelarias and the little Portuguese restaurants here are the best in the city (low prices and really good quality food/people). It's a very nice neighrbourhood where to enjoy a more authentic Portuguese lifestyle, without the fuss of fancy places more tourism-oriented. Here, you can discover the real Lisbon and, with time, fall in love with it. - Salvatore, June 2022