Living in Brazil

[Exec Talent]

I have made money doing business in Brazil. I am one of the few.

The key is to know you will not make money for very long. When it comes to business, Brazilians are not into long-term mutually beneficial relationships. Sooner (more likely) than later, they will fuck you over. Just like the scorpion, it is their nature. I attribute their periods of hyper-inflation for their get the most you can while you can attitude. Also, mortality rates (natural and not so natural- a good friend of mine's father was shot and killed by the police) are a contributing factor. A lack of mortgages also is a contributing factor. However, you can buy a shirt in 12 easy payments.

Used to think that it was just gringos that the Brazilians screwed over until I became friends with more Brazilians and watched them regularly screw over each other. Even in the US, with Brazilians you have helped out personally and financially they with TRY to screw you over. The key is to be prepared and never let your guard down thinking this time it will be different. It won't.

So, if you have a product or service with a short-term window of opportunity, go for it. If you are thinking that Brazil is going to be a long-term income stream, forget it. The widely fluctuating exchange rate alone can do you in. Let's say you are Coke and sell a 2 liter in the US for $1.50. In Brazil right now you would need to sell the same 2 liter for over 6 Reais. Of course, that does not factor in domestic production of the product. If you are importing it, it also does not factor in how much gets "lost" in customs. For fun some day, go to the off airport site where these "lost" items are supposedly auctioned.

[Komo753]

I look mostly East Asian.

According to some people, I look 3/4 Chinese and 1/4 indigenous Mexican, though I think they're just generalizing and there isn't really a fixed look for all Mexican or Chinese people.

I have lived in and visited many countries, mostly English-speaking or German-speaking countries.

People always say something like the USA, Canada, the U. K, Australia, etc are melting pots.

I really don't think so. Despite speaking English like a native speaker (I even adjusted my accent based on different regions I went to), I was always seen as a strange foreigner. And, yes, I got called out a lot even in this day and age.

I heard that the real melting pot in this world is in fact Brazil, with nearly 50% of the population are multi-ethnic and mixed-raced.

There is no way to tell a Brazilian by looks. So, the Brazilians will just think of you as one of them, instead of assuming you're a foreigner.

Is it true? Is Brazil a friendlier place to live in?

There is no better place to live in when having money or a good job, we all have different tastes. It depends on the person, everybody doesn't act the same way and doesn't like the same things, For example, American people are way different than English people. Most Brazilians don't care where you are from as long as you have money.

[ShooBree]

I look mostly East Asian.

According to some people, I look 3/4 Chinese and 1/4 indigenous Mexican, though I think they're just generalizing and there isn't really a fixed look for all Mexican or Chinese people.

I have lived in and visited many countries, mostly English-speaking or German-speaking countries.

People always say something like the USA, Canada, the U. K, Australia, etc are melting pots.

I really don't think so. Despite speaking English like a native speaker (I even adjusted my accent based on different regions I went to), I was always seen as a strange foreigner. And, yes, I got called out a lot even in this day and age.

I heard that the real melting pot in this world is in fact Brazil, with nearly 50% of the population are multi-ethnic and mixed-raced.

There is no way to tell a Brazilian by looks. So, the Brazilians will just think of you as one of them, instead of assuming you're a foreigner.

Is it true? Is Brazil a friendlier place to live in?

Rather weird question to ask. The answer is no, you are a foreigner in Brazil.

If you have had all that trouble in other countries it won't be different no matter where you go. Especially considering the fact that you probably don't speak the language and neither do you know the Brazilian Culture&People as the natives do.

[Solo Traveler]

I look mostly East Asian.

According to some people, I look 3/4 Chinese and 1/4 indigenous Mexican, though I think they're just generalizing and there isn't really a fixed look for all Mexican or Chinese people.

I have lived in and visited many countries, mostly English-speaking or German-speaking countries.

People always say something like the USA, Canada, the U. K, Australia, etc are melting pots.

I really don't think so. Despite speaking English like a native speaker (I even adjusted my accent based on different regions I went to), I was always seen as a strange foreigner. And, yes, I got called out a lot even in this day and age.

I heard that the real melting pot in this world is in fact Brazil, with nearly 50% of the population are multi-ethnic and mixed-raced.

There is no way to tell a Brazilian by looks. So, the Brazilians will just think of you as one of them, instead of assuming you're a foreigner.

Is it true? Is Brazil a friendlier place to live in?

[Bravo]

Is there a Dry Cleaners in Copa? I have seen a bunch of laundromats but I have never seen a dry cleaners.

[Paulisto]

Since the year 1500 that was when Brazil was "inaugurated", here comes the worst people in the world, and continues until today (2017).

I'm not talking bad about you.

But here it is so ridiculous that if you are a Brazilian citizen, everything you have to do has to pay absurd fees, but if you are a refugee, the government gives everything for free to you. This is what happened to the Haitians a few years ago coming to Brazil after a hurricane.

Since the re-election of President Dilma Rousseff in October 2014 (she had impeachment last year) we are in a crisis never seen in Brazilian history. The government is out of money for the citizens themselves, but less than a decade ago, several debts were forgiven with our neighboring communist countries, several billion dollar donations were made to these damned Communists, various buildings were donated. And we residents of the Brazil we're in the shit. And where are these neighboring countries to help us now?

You can go to some social assistance headquarters (here we call CRAS Social Assistance Reference Center) and ask for help, just say that you are a refugee. In less than 10 days you have for free all the documents you need, Already a Brazilian would have to pay and it would take months to be delivered.

Different from other countries that require various things like proof of income, residence, vaccine, money in savings, level of local language knowledge etc. Here is only you arrive "empty handed" (no bag, food, Documents, extra clothes etc) that the government gives it all to you. For free.

Here if you kill an animal you get stuck seven years, if you kill a human gets six months or at most one night.

We have a program of redistribution of income called "Bolsa Família", that for the family to be entitled to this money, the children need to be in school, the family earns about are $ 250 (USD 84), but if you are arrested, your family earns more Of are $ 950 (USD 317) reais. Here it is better to be arrested than to study.

If you are white and spend all your life studying to enter a university or public contest, the black or Indian passes in front of you only because he is "a victim of society, he will always need help. "

If you are an honest cop and you are on your break and you are caught by a thief in a market and you shoot him (your situation gets worse if he dies), you will be arrested for "abuse of authority", "shot a victim of Society, so comes the "Human Rights " and arrests you.

I'm amazed how you foreigners love Brazil so much.

Do you understand why nobody recommends immigration to Brazil?

[You69Me]

The US has the worst immigration bureaucracy in the world.

Immigration employees are uneducated and rude.

Why do you want one? Include as many reasons as possible.

For example: love the challenge of living in a country where I don't speak the language, think my paltry pension will go far because of the current exchange rate without realizing it can flip-flop (like the 1.55-1 days) and I will be left hanging out at Mabs all day with the other ex-Pats lingering for hours over the same beer, enjoy beyond imagination living in a country where it takes forever to accomplish what in most other countries takes hours or a day. Of course, there always is the old standby: need to escape the Allied forces because the war did not go exactly according to plan.

[Exec Talent]

What is the easiest way to get residency status in Brazil.

Please provide as many options as possible.

Why do you want one? Include as many reasons as possible.

For example: love the challenge of living in a country where I don't speak the language, think my paltry pension will go far because of the current exchange rate without realizing it can flip-flop (like the 1.55-1 days) and I will be left hanging out at Mabs all day with the other ex-Pats lingering for hours over the same beer, enjoy beyond imagination living in a country where it takes forever to accomplish what in most other countries takes hours or a day. Of course, there always is the old standby: need to escape the Allied forces because the war did not go exactly according to plan.

[You69Me]

What is the easiest way to get residency status in Brazil.

Please provide as many options as possible.

[Rodeo9112]

Got my tourist visa today. Good for 10 yrs at 90 days / pop!

[Rodeo9112]

Brazil's loss. Colombia's gain.

True that!

[Exec Talent]

A dream deferred! My application for PermResidence as a retiree was returned. It wasn't "disapproved" or rejected, just returned along with my fee. Said although I had the right income, I couldn't get the visa because I wasn't "retired". Next day I put in for a tourist visa. 10 yr validity!

Brazil's loss. Colombia's gain.

[Rodeo9112]

Yesterday (Wednesday), I submitted my application to the Brazilian Consulate for the Permanent Visa for Retirement. The Consular Officer said it should be done in 3 to 5 business days! The website says 2-3 months. We'll see what happens. I'll check up on the status on late Monday to see if there's any progress.

A dream deferred! My application for PermResidence as a retiree was returned. It wasn't "disapproved" or rejected, just returned along with my fee. Said although I had the right income, I couldn't get the visa because I wasn't "retired". Next day I put in for a tourist visa. 10 yr validity!

[BackDoorD]

Thanks for the response. I'm hoping for something a little closer to Posto 3 though. I know I didn't clarify.

http://www.smartfit.com.br/

Cheapest gyms in Rio, with very decent, all new amenities. There is one on Rua Tonelero several blocks behind the Copa Palace. Easily your best bet.

[Rodeo9112]

My favorite is OX in Leme on Gustavo Sampairo. Gyms in Rio tend to be extremely expensive, but you can get month to month memberships. BodyTech is ultra expensive.

Thanks for the response. I'm hoping for something a little closer to Posto 3 though. I know I didn't clarify.