Places in South America to start a business (live, to move)

[DBCC]

After many motorcycling trips up through Brazil, I would tend to disagree with Tiger Beer. I have only had problems south of Bahia, robberies, attempted assaults, aggressive attacks.
The only city I consider safe in the south is Santa Cruz do Sul. I have had my fare share of violent aggression in both Florianapolis and Curitiba....maybe because of the bike I was riding and seemed like a soft target due to my physical size.
However, north of Bahia / Fortaleza and Belem, Matto Grosso, Brazilia, have all been welcoming, safe, and without due concern to me or my riding partner when we leave the bike to explore on foot. I have received no aggressive behaviour from anyone in the regions mentioned.
As far as Fortaleza being a major Pro area, well, if that is what someone is looking for, I guess one could find that in any country of the world. I am a non- participant in such activity so what everyone else does is their thing, and does not interfere with what I am doing as a tourist.
I have many wonderful friends in Fortaleza, and have not heard from them about any security/safety problems for them or their families.

Dport7674: Lightening Kidnappings are popular in the whole of South America. Normally those loud and "cocky" types that are flashy/ostentatious/ throwing money around or attracting attention are targets. Blending in creates no problem and dress like a local, dont walk around with an expensive camera, or drive a merc convertible......blending in and driving a local car, learning the language and the culture will avoid any problems in that regard.
The last place I would consider for personal security in Argentina is Buenos Aires. The interior is a lot safer and people tend to be more friendly and concerned about the well being of new immigrants.

Amazonas: the Op indicated he wanted to start a medical practice.

[jja100]

I would only suggest Uruguay or Chile with a preference to Chile. The rest of the governments are socialist and thereby regulate businesses too much to be profitable. If you plant to use your medical expertise to be a government worker and not open your own practice then by all means Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[John McClane]

However, Brazil has the largest economy and the largest, wealthiest cities on the continent.

If Brazil is so wealthy than why did I see so many children there sleeping on sidewalks ?

Can't Brazil afford to built orphanages to take to all of these kids off the streets.

[jja100]

Originally Posted by John McClane

If Brazil is so wealthy than why did I see so many children there sleeping on sidewalks ?

Can't Brazil afford to built orphanages to take to all of these kids off the streets.

Brazil is one of the nations in BRIC. They are a "developing" emerging market. Just because a nation is wealthy, it doesn't mean it invests it into the people like socialist "nanny welfare" states. Look at China, they have all our US treasuries and 75% of their people are living in complete poverty.

[Eduardo983]

Originally Posted by John McClane

If Brazil is so wealthy than why did I see so many children there sleeping on sidewalks ?

Can't Brazil afford to built orphanages to take to all of these kids off the streets.

There are tons of homeless children on the street here in the U.S.

[Eduardo983]

Originally Posted by anthonyr

Hi- I've always wanted to live in S. America- Can anyone give me any info on what city or countries would be a great place to start a medical practice? Somewhere close to the ocean would be ideal. I would bring my wife and young son, so it should be a safe place. I've heard Medellin in Columbia is really nice- thanks for any input- also I'm considering Mexico

I can`t believe that you are a doctor and don`t know that Mexico is located in North America.

[J Arp]

Originally Posted by anthonyr

Thanks Tiger Beer- I'll look into that. Brazil is the other place I was thinking about- Never been there, but I've had some Brazillian friends. Thanks for the info!

A Brazillian friends? How do you remember all their names?

[John McClane]

There are tons of homeless children on the street here in the U.S.

In my 24 years of living in the United States, I have never seen children sleeping on the streets here like this picture taken in the Philippines for example.


You only see that type of stuff in 3rd world countries.

In the United States if somebody saw a 10 year old boy or girl for example sleeping on a sidewalk they would either call the police or child protective services.

In the United States if a police car drives by and sees a child sleeping on the streets they would immediatley snatch up that child and put him or her in an orphanage.

[DBCC]

John Maclane, I think that travel opens ones eyes to the realities. Some countries in the world monthly income per family does not exceed the equivalent of U$6......All third world countries, and some 1st world countries have these realities. Harshly said, but it is true. Its just unfortunate that in many countries there is this situation and oftentimes it is not as a result of lack of work for their parents, who send them out for people to take pity on them and give them a handout for the family coffers.
I was once travelling and saw a terribly small dischevelled child begging on a street corner that brought pity to my soul. I was with my partner and we offered to but the child a meal. The child did not want a meal, instead hard cash. We said no and offered to take the child for a meal. My partner extended her hand to show friendliness and care. The child reacted violently and screamed that we were kidnappers, resulting in an unhappy moment with locals and police. This was in Cagayan de Oro, Phillippines. The parent arrived in a brand new car after being called by the police.
I'm not saying that it does not exist, by any means at all. Children and adults alike in Africa have not seen a decent meal for years bacuse they are of a different tribe or are "not of the ruling party" or dont hold a "party voters card" of the ruling party (i.e Zimbabwe) They have the lowest employment rate, lowest life expectancy in the world (34 by Red Cross estimations), one of the highest AIDS statistics.........They ahve no means for survival, and many just will themselves to death.
I have seen this in Paris, France, ........ in Germany, in Amsterdam- Holland, Poland, in Russia and many other countries that I would bore you to death if I named them all.
Walk the streets of Kathmandu in Nepal or in come parts of India where the parents have actually strapped the foot onto the one of the legs of the children which then grow together in this position..... deforming them for life......sadly, to be able to beg on the streets to provide an income for the parents.
In South America, children are "rented" from their parents at a nominal fee (as in many other 3rd world countries) to beg daily, proceeds of which are managed by their "Controller"........
I think travel is important, educational, and sometimes frightening to be able to see how greed and inhumane treatment, abuse, of children (and in many cases adults, too) is not a criteria for active government involvement and concern, and in many cases, intervention from international rights groups to ensure the dignity of a "normal" life for those being suppressed.
Just my 2c.....

[DBCC]

I also suggest a walk through some suburbs of Chicago, Detroit, New York, San Diego, Houston, to name a few. You will see homeless children, mostly during the evening.