Living in Brazil

Brazil is the largest county in South America. Consequently there are many regions to visit and settle. While it is possible to live like a movie star in Brazil, some areas of the country can be more expensive than others. For those wishing to settle permanently in Brazil or at least spend several months out of the year here, it is best to travel throughout the country before deciding on a place to live. The cost of living, schools and education, quality of the neighborhoods, job opportunities and the cost of purchasing homes in Brazil all need to be evaluated carefully before deciding where to put down roots.

Cost of Living

Cost of living in Brazil is fairly inexpensive when compared with living in North America or Europe. Visitors to Brazil can usually count on a relatively cheap stay. Of course the value of one’s native currency against the Brazilian Real is the deciding factor as how cheap the time in Brazil will be. For those who plan on working and living in Brazil permanently, cost of living is rather expensive. Minimum wage is currently $415 reals per month or about $248.00 US dollars or $163 Euros.

Schools and Education

Brazil offers both private and public schooling. From age 7-14 children must attend school. Brazil offers free education to all students but private schools are also available. Unfortunately less than 40% of teenagers are attending school.

There are also several institutions of higher learning in Brazil including a Federal university in each state. Entrance exams are required to be accepted to college in Brazil. Brazil also offers over 1,000 post-graduate courses for those seeking further education. For those living in Brazil, there is plenty of opportunity for an excellent education.

Working in Brazil

Brazilians use the infamous practice of networking to find the majority of their jobs. As a matter of fact it is considered as important as possessing a top-notch resume. There are also plenty of job sites on the Internet where those looking for work can post their resumes for free. Brazil also offers job placement out of the National System of Employment office. Job fairs and career events are also prevalent in the larger cities.

Homes in Brazil

Brazil homes usually have no extras like bathroom fixtures, closets, light fixtures or other hardware. Most homes in Brazil are built of either concrete block or red brick with red tile roofs. Floors can be made of wood, tile or carpet. Brazilians especially love to use a lot of ceramic tile in their homes. Very few homes have central heat or air conditioning and homes in the southern part of Brazil can get quite cold. Public water supplies are not reliable so most Brazil homes have water boxes in the attic that will hold at least 1000 liters. Very few homes have hot water tanks. Hot water for showers is created with an electrical heater hooked into the showerhead. Make sure this is hooked up properly to avoid electric shocks. Kitchens are very much like those in Europe and North America. Walk in closest are quite rare but the standard electrical gadgets such as televisions, video games and computers are common.

Renting or Buying

For those who plan on renting, be sure to have the lease contract read over carefully by a lawyer. For those who wish to purchase a home, try and work with a few real estate agents at once, as there is no central listing service. Therefore the more agents you work with, the more choices you will have. Living in Brazil can be fairly expensive. Expect a small 1 bedroom apartment in any of the major cities to cost around $5200 Reals or $1,900 US dollars a month.

Better Neighborhoods

Of course finding good Brazil homes is dependent on finding an acceptable neighborhood first. Most high-end neighborhoods in Brazil will have clean well kept yards and houses. There will be very little trash or junk on the property. In addition a good neighborhood usually has more homeowners than renters living in the area.

When looking for a good neighborhood, aside from its aesthetic appeal, the crime rate should be low and the location convenient to shopping and general services. The schools should have an excellent reputation and a first rate hospital should be nearby. All will contribute to a higher resale value too.