Retiring to Northern or Central Portugal

Hi and Welcome,

If you are seriously considering moving to Portugal we suggest you spend as much time as possible here in different places at different times of year making your own, personal, subjective decisions on what you want related to what is available.
So " moderate climate—not too hot " what does that mean? Only you can know if the weather in August in a place where people live/work is not too hot for you but only if you go there in August. Towns generally have markets - if you mean fruit/veg markets but are they up to your standards? they also have super markets which you will find them by going there. Public transport is various, basically 3 international airports, what is your "hour or less" based on - car driving, taxi, train, bicycle? as that will eliminate most of Portugal and probably Coimbra. You don't ask about the availability of doctors, dentists, hospitals, drinkable water, interweb, ambulances, festivals, bull fights, crime, schools. Suggest you go to Tomar, Caldas da Rainha, Setubal, Lisbon, Oporto, Figueira da Foz but not Fátima.