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So in the near future (like three years from now) there is a chance for me to start doing business development in Brazil. My company would probably prefer to be in São Paulo, but Rio would be a very good second option. Florianopolis is my personal choice. However, it really is up to me and where I want to pursue further BD.
So is there anybody who has moved to Rio de Janiero, São Paulo or Florianopolis from another country? If so what were your experiences of those cities? Which is best for foreigners. I have been to Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Argentina, so I am not stranger to South America, however I am aware Brazil is a whole different animal.
A little bit about me. I am completely fluent in English and Spanish, and fairly intermediate in Brazilian Portuguese. I am currently taking an intense Portuguese class that lasts about two years. So hopefully in two years I will be fluent. I am very picky when it comes to cities and generally there are two types of cities I like:
1) The urban dense cosmopolitan city. Cities that are full of life, people from all over the world, great nightlife, culturally rich, etc. (ie cities like NYC, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Toronto, etc.).
2) Beach cities. These can go either way. They can be fast paced or slow paced as long as their is a beach culture, they also don't have to be particularly huge cities, they can be medium sized or very large is fine too (ie, Miami, San Diego, Honolulu, Sydney,Manta (Ecuador) etc).
So what city do you think would be a good fit in terms of my desires? It seems like Rio would be good has it has characteristics of both, but it seems São Paulo would be easier for foreigners to adapt to.
I know some of you might think it's a little early to start planning, but really it's not. My new company is relying on me for a lot and I am doing everything from the get go to make sure I bring them success.
So in the near future (like three years from now) there is a chance for me to start doing business development in Brazil. My company would probably prefer to be in São Paulo, but Rio would be a very good second option. Florianopolis is my personal choice. However, it really is up to me and where I want to pursue further BD.
So is there anybody who has moved to Rio de Janiero, São Paulo or Florianopolis from another country? If so what were your experiences of those cities? Which is best for foreigners. I have been to Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Argentina, so I am not stranger to South America, however I am aware Brazil is a whole different animal.
A little bit about me. I am completely fluent in English and Spanish, and fairly intermediate in Brazilian Portuguese. I am currently taking an intense Portuguese class that lasts about two years. So hopefully in two years I will be fluent. I am very picky when it comes to cities and generally there are two types of cities I like:
1) The urban dense cosmopolitan city. Cities that are full of life, people from all over the world, great nightlife, culturally rich, etc. (ie cities like NYC, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Toronto, etc.).
2) Beach cities. These can go either way. They can be fast paced or slow paced as long as their is a beach culture, they also don't have to be particularly huge cities, they can be medium sized or very large is fine too (ie, Miami, San Diego, Honolulu, Sydney,Manta (Ecuador) etc).
So what city do you think would be a good fit in terms of my desires? It seems like Rio would be good has it has characteristics of both, but it seems São Paulo would be easier for foreigners to adapt to.
I know some of you might think it's a little early to start planning, but really it's not. My new company is relying on me for a lot and I am doing everything from the get go to make sure I bring them success.
I went from the USA to Porto Alegre Brasil for awhile. I have been to Rio and SP, but never Floripa. So I can give you advice, but I dont match the criteria of the people you are asking the question to.
Floripa is supposed to be awesome, and Santa Catarina supposedly has the best beaches in Brasil. However, the city is not that big and very touristy. With the tourist it is pretty big, but even with them it is not in the same league as Rio or SP.
SP is very urban. Good food, culture, and nightlife. It is also not too far from Beaches, but with traffic it could be a 3 hour drive.
Rio is a big city with a big beach culture, and a party culture. It is kinda crazy though, and dangerous if you cant handle yourself, and not just in the armed robbery sense.
Perhaps you should tell us more about what you like and what you like in your cities? Business or pleasure first? Are you planning on working hard or playing hard? Slow or fast paced? A gringo can be very happy in any one of those cities.
BTW, out of curiosity who do you work for? Your job sounds awesome.
So in the near future (like three years from now) there is a chance for me to start doing business development in Brazil. My company would probably prefer to be in São Paulo, but Rio would be a very good second option. Florianopolis is my personal choice. However, it really is up to me and where I want to pursue further BD.
So is there anybody who has moved to Rio de Janiero, São Paulo or Florianopolis from another country? If so what were your experiences of those cities? Which is best for foreigners. I have been to Ecuador, Chile, Colombia and Argentina, so I am not stranger to South America, however I am aware Brazil is a whole different animal.
A little bit about me. I am completely fluent in English and Spanish, and fairly intermediate in Brazilian Portuguese. I am currently taking an intense Portuguese class that lasts about two years. So hopefully in two years I will be fluent. I am very picky when it comes to cities and generally there are two types of cities I like:
1) The urban dense cosmopolitan city. Cities that are full of life, people from all over the world, great nightlife, culturally rich, etc. (ie cities like NYC, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Toronto, etc.).
2) Beach cities. These can go either way. They can be fast paced or slow paced as long as their is a beach culture, they also don't have to be particularly huge cities, they can be medium sized or very large is fine too (ie, Miami, San Diego, Honolulu, Sydney,Manta (Ecuador) etc).
So what city do you think would be a good fit in terms of my desires? It seems like Rio would be good has it has characteristics of both, but it seems São Paulo would be easier for foreigners to adapt to.
I know some of you might think it's a little early to start planning, but really it's not. My new company is relying on me for a lot and I am doing everything from the get go to make sure I bring them success.
I'm from the U.S., and lived in both Sao Paulo and Rio de Jainero.
Regarding which is better. Well, actually I liked Sao Paulo better, as I liked the people. Very cosmopolitan, and very few tourists, so locals treated me more of an expat. Whereas when I was in Rio, everyone treated me like a tourist. I also found that Sao Paulo nightlife was much better, and went much later.
On the other hand, Rio does have the beach, and who needs to be awake partying at 4am, when you have a much more sensual seductive beach scene all during the day. I wasn't as into beaches when I lived there as I am now, so maybe now I'd be taking Rio all the way.
If you are doing business development, than the money is definitely going to be in Sao Paulo. That's what drew me to SP as well, as a person who teaches English. |That's where the money is at, and that's where things are happening, and a demand of English is needed, and people willing to pay for it. I'd imagine the same for BD.
I went from the USA to Porto Alegre Brasil for awhile. I have been to Rio and SP, but never Floripa. So I can give you advice, but I dont match the criteria of the people you are asking the question to.
Floripa is supposed to be awesome, and Santa Catarina supposedly has the best beaches in Brasil. However, the city is not that big and very touristy. With the tourist it is pretty big, but even with them it is not in the same league as Rio or SP.
SP is very urban. Good food, culture, and nightlife. It is also not too far from Beaches, but with traffic it could be a 3 hour drive.
Rio is a big city with a big beach culture, and a party culture. It is kinda crazy though, and dangerous if you cant handle yourself, and not just in the armed robbery sense.
Perhaps you should tell us more about what you like and what you like in your cities? Business or pleasure first? Are you planning on working hard or playing hard? Slow or fast paced? A gringo can be very happy in any one of those cities.
BTW, out of curiosity who do you work for? Your job sounds awesome.
I definitely like some pleasure first. I like cities where I can really enjoy myself in a variety of ways (nightlife, museums, festivals, food, outdoors, public spaces, shopping, etc.)
Probably I will be working very, very hard. At least in the beginning.
I can handle both fast and slow paced, but can only handle slow paced places if it is more of an outdoorsy type of city. Places like San Diego, Santa Barbara, Honolulu, Boulder (Colorado) I can handle because they might not offer fast paced type of life, but in terms of outdoor activties, there is plenty to do but still have plenty of things to do in the city.
I am not sure what you they consider gringo in Brazil but not sure if I am one. Was born in Puerto Rico and my first and last name are very Portuguese. My great great grandpa emigrated from Portugal to this side of the world. My sister actually went to Portugal, and everyone assumed she was Portuguese because of her first and last name.
How touristy is Rio, because in all honesty, I don't like to be around tourists unless I am on vacation. Here in Chicago, I literally get irritated by all the tourists getting in my way here as I walk to get lunch or something in downtown.
All I will say is that I work for a consulting company. They are looking to expand in China and South America. They brought me on board to eventually use me as an integral key player in developing business in South America. So more or less it will become my division one day, I hope so.
I'm from the U.S., and lived in both Sao Paulo and Rio de Jainero.
Regarding which is better. Well, actually I liked Sao Paulo better, as I liked the people. Very cosmopolitan, and very few tourists, so locals treated me more of an expat. Whereas when I was in Rio, everyone treated me like a tourist. I also found that Sao Paulo nightlife was much better, and went much later.
On the other hand, Rio does have the beach, and who needs to be awake partying at 4am, when you have a much more sensual seductive beach scene all during the day. I wasn't as into beaches when I lived there as I am now, so maybe now I'd be taking Rio all the way.
If you are doing business development, than the money is definitely going to be in Sao Paulo. That's what drew me to SP as well, as a person who teaches English. |That's where the money is at, and that's where things are happening, and a demand of English is needed, and people willing to pay for it. I'd imagine the same for BD.
I have been aiming for São Paulo thus far. It just seems like for a foreigner it might be easier to adjust there. It just seems much more international. Fortunately Rio and São Paulo are close enough to each other that it looks like one can frequent the other one.
One of my friends lives in SP. She says traffic jams are getting worse, the city is just too crowded and big, and still spreading like cancer.
If I went to Brazil for business reasons, I might try Sorocaba, lots of companies there and not far from SP in case I needed to go there.
Campinas is a bit further inland, but a huge booming metro area, also with lots of companies being present.
One of my friends lives in SP. She says traffic jams are getting worse, the city is just too crowded and big, and still spreading like cancer.
If I went to Brazil for business reasons, I might try Sorocaba, lots of companies there and not far from SP in case I needed to go there.
Campinas is a bit further inland, but a huge booming metro area, also with lots of companies being present.
This also brings up a good question I forgot to ask. How easy is it to live without a car in Rio de Janiero and São Paulo? I am sure Florianopolis is much tougher.
Also is one city significantly cheaper than the other?
Thanks for all the advice eveyone I really appreciate it!
How touristy is Rio, because in all honesty, I don't like to be around tourists unless I am on vacation. Here in Chicago, I literally get irritated by all the tourists getting in my way here as I walk to get lunch or something in downtown.
Rio's beaches has a ton of tourists. Tons of prostitutes too, and tons of sex tourists who either look for it, or find themselves in what they think is a one-night stand, but not.
You'll also see plenty of tourists on the beaches...eating in the restaurants, etc.
There are plenty of places in Rio that aren't filled with tourists...but the best places are.
I have been aiming for São Paulo thus far. It just seems like for a foreigner it might be easier to adjust there. It just seems much more international. Fortunately Rio and São Paulo are close enough to each other that it looks like one can frequent the other one.
Yeah, they are easy to go back and forth. There is a closer beach than Rio to SP as well. I forget the name, but very popular with Paulistos (people from Sao Paulo).
Regarding international, yeah, lots of business. As you're involved in business, it makes a lot of sense to be in a city like that to network and do business.
JARDINS is an area I often went drinking at until 5am. I lived in PINHERIOS right next to it. Sao Paulo has a lot of traffic and everything else, but you can live in central locations, and seldom have to deal with it. I use to teach ENglish and go all over SP to various corporations. That did get old, but I loved where I was living, and had great access to many things. It was also quiet safe compared to other parts of Sao Paulo.
Speaking of internationa, there are over a million Japanese in Sao Paulo as well. Tons of Italians. If you're into business, you'll meet all kinds in expat bars like 'Finnigan's' in Jardins, if that place is still around.
This also brings up a good question I forgot to ask. How easy is it to live without a car in Rio de Janiero and São Paulo? I am sure Florianopolis is much tougher.
Also is one city significantly cheaper than the other?
Thanks for all the advice eveyone I really appreciate it!
I didn't have a car in SP or RIO...I completely relied on buses and subways, and they were fine. Of course it's easier with a car, but no burden without one. Trains and buses go by far frequently enough somewhat similar to a northeastern city. Not like NYC with amazing transportation, but guessing maybe like Chicago, although I've never taken the trains in Chicago to really know for sure.
Significantly cheaper. Hmm...both Rio and SP are expensive. There is more money in SP which offsets that a bit. Probably any other city outside of those two will be quite a bit cheaper.
I was also thinking that if I were to go back, I'd try Belo Horizonte only because almost no tourists, all locals, and very business-minded like Sao Paulo, but much cheaper and a bit smaller. But at that time, I wasn't as crazy about beaches as I am now, so not so sure I'd do that now
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