Which is the better country to live? - Portugal or Brazil?

[ABQSunseeker]

This is such a difficult question to answer. Portugal is relatively small and homogenous and Brazil is a sprawling giant with so many regional differences and climates.
I myself might choose Portugal because my ancestors are from there and I just love Lisbon and Madeira. And all of Europe is close at hand.
To those who say Rio is beautiful, I would say that it has the best and most beautiful setting in the world, but the city up close is somewhat shabby and unappealing. I think it would have been nicer a 100 yrs ago. And the favelas are everywhere, sometimes hovering over upscale, so-called safe areas, so that one always has to be aware of their surroundings.

[Derek41]

Brazil, more diversity of climates.

[nei]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I must say this poll has really surprised me.

It makes me even more interested in Portugal. I originally assumed they would be close to equal, and part of me would have thought that Brazil being so large, and having so much 'hope for the future' as well, might have been attractive. That, and the people themselves, who are just great to be around.

That being said, Portugal is in Europe, is much safer, does offer more stability, and would equally be interested on other levels altogether.

On a practical level, Portugal seems much better. Brazil is also a far worse place to poor and average income is lower. Brazil sounds like the more interesting country, though.

[violent by design]

Depends on what we mean by to live, to live for a year? 2 or 3 years? My entire life? If it's the last option then I would not want to live in either one most likely. A few years, I'd do Brazil for sure. Maybe it's because I haven't really explored Brazil and I'm burned out on Portugal, but Brazil just seems like a way more exciting place to live.

I'm in my mid 20s, so I'm at a point of my life where I am still thinking big in terms of careers. Brazil has way more upside for an entrepreneur or an expiring professional than a place like Portugal, which not does not have a huge busting economy, but there is pretty limited job opportunities and mass unemployment (Brazil also has unemployment issues obviously, but it's not a problem that would directly affect me).

I'm pretty well educated, so I think I could reasonably find a good job in Brazil. I'd assume the competition would be more difficult in Portugal.

Brazil is way more culturally diverse than Portugal, I am from NYC so I am more accustomed to seeing different types of people on a regular basis. Especially relevant for checking out chicks .

Brazil has more of an out going/party vibe. I'm not a big party guy, but it's a nice option to have.

Really cool wild life in Brazil, and in general a lot of places to explore as it is a huge country. I can find a city that is more tailored to my liking since it has more options than Portugal.

Brazil has a bigger sports culture than Portugal, or at least has sports that are more relevant to my interest (nice following in MMA and basketball).

Not sure how to measure the crime, I am sure a lot of it is segregated. I'd have to actually live there to get a feel on how dangerous it is, but for a single man like myself, I am sure it's nothing to worry about if I use common sense. This seems like more of a problem relevant for raising a family.


Portugal is nice, but it has to offer a bit more than just being safe to me. I'm not sure if I agree with Portugal having more culture than Brazil either - age doesn't dictate culture. Brazil is exploding with culture, even if it is a relatively new nation.


My biggest beefs with Brazil is the political corruption - I have interest in going into politics somewhere down the line, so living in Brazil long term could be a problem for me. The imports in Brazil are also insanely expensive, and a lot of that has to do with the crappy politics as well. The racism is lousy too, but I have confidence that the Latin American countries are trying their best efforts to get rid of it just like the US is.