Porvorim is considered an upmarket residential hub as it lies on the Mumbai–Goa highway NH66.

Historically, Porvorim was originally centered on the village market at the crossroad between the Panaji–Mapusa highway and the Socorro–Sangolda road.

Ecclesiastically speaking, the parish church was Nossa Senhora do Socorro, at Zosvaddo, Socorro; Porvorim was served by the Candelaria chapel near the market, and by the Holy Family chapel (now an independent church) higher up, in Alto Porvorim.

Porvorim is home to several educational institutions, including the prominent Vidya Probhodhini Education Society, with pre-primary, primary, high school and senior secondary schooling sections.

Porvorim houses the Goa's biggest mall situated on the national highway.