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I voted Sao Paulo because even though it is not the safest place in the world, it is safer Rio. The thing I like most about Rio is their beautiful sexy girls. But Rio is full of poor people and there is alot of crime there. I mean I actually think it is one of the most dangerous and violent cities in the world.
The best places in Brazil are mid-sized cities whose exotic names hardly anybody abroad has ever heard of, like Sorocaba.
But I agree, São Paulo is the lesser evil of those two cities. However, if you can afford it, there are wonderful suburbs in Rio, too, without crime etc.
I've haven't been to either city but although I'd love to spend a weekend in Rio, if it were long term I'd pick Sao Paulo.
Also, I agree with Neuling-the Latin culture (Spanish+Portuguese speaking world) has different priorities than the Anglo-Sphere or Germanic countries. It's not really a race issue since South Americans can be any race. Plus, I've been to Portugal which shares that laid-back culture and is overwhelmingly white.
The best places in Brazil are mid-sized cities whose exotic names hardly anybody abroad has ever heard of, like Sorocaba.
But I agree, São Paulo is the lesser evil of those two cities. However, if you can afford it, there are wonderful suburbs in Rio, too, without crime etc.
I like Porto Alegre. I hear Floripa is really nice though.
Both are great cities, but very different. Where would you rather live?
Sao Paulo:
PROs
Lots to do
great resturants
vibrant nightlife
safer than Rio
good job market
Lots of museums
CONs
No beach
expensive
Sprawling
Rio De Janeiro:
PROs
Beach
party atmosphere
cultural capitol of Brazil
CONs
Crime
traffic
São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are separated by 400 km and completely differents really. Both have unique characteristics.
São Paulo has not natural beauty. It is the land of concrete, factories, business, asphalt, crazy traffic, pollution and stressed people.
Rio de Janeiro has an exuberant nature, nice people, beautiful beaches, mountains and very green. The people are friendly and not stressed.
PROs
Lots to do - Same in Rio
great resturants - Same in Rio
vibrant nightlife - Same in Rio
safer than Rio - That's relative. Depends where you live. I stayed in nice part of the city so I felt safe, but there were parts I did not even venture into.
good job market - Yes
Lots of museums - OK, I'll take you word for it
CONs
No beach - YES, A big one for me.
expensive - Rio is too
Sprawling - Yes, huge city, and very crowded.
Rio De Janeiro:
PROs
Beach -
party atmosphere - OK, but SP wasn't too bad.
cultural capitol of Brazil - Yes
Other +
Not cold in winter
Very picturesque setting
Easier to navigate in the city (smaller)
CONs
Crime
traffic - I'd say SP is really bad too.
I choose Sao Paulo. I like a larger, economically diverse, high density city. It would be nice to enjoy the natural beauty of Rio though.
I'm not going to let crime be a major point as both cities are comparable and I don't make a living selling crack. You can get robbed in an American city, we are not any more immune to the by-products of economic disparity in our society.
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