| Carnival, carousing, beaches, the fun life - these are all what come to mind at the mention of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It's all that and more, as this Canadian expat shares with us. Living in Rio with her husband, she describes the friendliness of the locals and gives helpful tips on some of the practical aspects of moving to Rio. |
 DailyRioLife |
-Where were you born?
-In which country and city are you living now?
-Are you living alone or with your family?
-How long have you been living in Brazil?
We arrived two months ago.-What is your age?
25
-When did you come up with the idea of living in Brazil?
My husband works for a multinational company - its operations are mostly here in Brazil. For the past two years, he has travelled back and forth for work, and enjoying it immensely. I was fortunate enough to accompany him on one of his busines trips last year and loved Brazil and immediately started in on him on finding a way for us to move here to work for a few years. Luckily for me, my thoughts were along the same lines as those of his bosses and he is now situated here to help the company focus in a new direction.
We had always intended to do the international work thing, and timing was a big factor in our decision; we are newlyweds, childless, and I was doing some soul searching as to what I wanted to do next, professionally. The timing will not ever get better. Promises of flights home and frequent visits from friends and family also helped.
-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
-How do you make your living in Brazil?
As stated above, my husband's job is what brought us here. If I decide to work at some point, I think we will probably start with our contacts here to help me secure something.-Do you speak Portuguese and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I am enrolled in an intensive Portuguese training program as I believe it is imperative to learn the local language, for a number of reasons. Socially, professionally, for ease of movement, and also for safety and security.
It is incredibly important for expats to respect and observe local customs - When in Rome (or Rio)! In Rio this is even a safety issue, blending in is a good idea. I believe it is the responsibility of expats to become ambassadors of sorts, both of their home countries and their "new home" once they repatriate or move on. To leave the country a bit better than we found it, just as in any community we live in. Learning about the country in which they are living helps make sense of certain situations and can make difficulties easier to accept in some cases. Plus - isn't this the whole point of taking on this experience?
-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
I do miss my friends and family. I have not been away long enough to be too homesick but whenever something exciting is going on back home it is difficult to be away. Rio offers virtually every recreational activity possible besides skiing and skating, from what I can gather.-Do you have other plans for the future?
We plan to be in Rio for about two years and after that are undecided as to what we will do.-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We are renting an apartment in Leblon, which can be an expensive area. A 3-bedroom apartment in Leblon can run up to $R10,000 per month including condo fees. Buying real estate can be complicated in Brazil, and it is important to note that interest rates are very high - up to 12%. There are other, much more affordable areas in Rio of course, but we liked Leblon for the proximity to the beach, shopping, and amenities. It is also one of the safest neighbourhoods in all of South America.-What is the cost of living in Brazil?
Once housing and electricity (both very expensive) are taken care of, the rest is very cheap. Food and eating out are very reasonable. Activities are as well.-What do you think about the Brazilians?
To generalize, the locals are very friendly and mean well and try to help foreigners in every way they can. It is fascinating how frequently people apologize to me for not speaking English, or for not speaking it particularly well, when I do not expect them to speak English - I say to them that it is not as though we are in England!
Meeting Brazilians in a social setting has been a bit challenging although I admit I have not taken a lot of time to really focus on this yet.
I think that Brazilians are very relaxed and laid back, and enjoy life and the moment, making them easy to get along with. They smile and laugh easily and seem to be very family oriented.
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Brazil?
The positives include:
- the weather
- the food
- the cultural exchange
- the opportunity for learning and growth
The negatives include:
- Safety issues - we do not have the same "freedoms" we enjoy in North America
- Not always being able to find things we need (household, food, etc.)
-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Brazil?
Come with an open mind, and carefully research your costs before you come.-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Brazil?
I keep a blog on which you can find restaurant and neighbourhood reviews, details on finding an apartment and furniture in Rio, attractions, and cultural tidbits: http://dailyriolife.typepad.com
www.Gringoes.com is a wonderful resource for anyone looking to move to Brazil - it features interview with other foreigners living there, and a column called "Ask A Brazilian" where cultural questions are addressed.
www.brazilmax.com, the self-proclaimed "hip guide to brazil" has a ton of useful tidbits.
