About papazcol

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Male

Currently Lives:

NYC, United States

Citizen Of:

Colombia

Some Forum Posts:

Brazil: GIVING UP BRAZIL. RETURNING TO THE US:

I have been in Belo Horizonte for seven months. Big city, wonderful people, great weather, but few opportunities. My Brazilian wife and I along with our six month old son decided to come here guided by the great publicity about the countless opportunities in the South American giant. However, after seven months I am still waiting for all the promises from companies I applied to and “friends” who promised to recommend us within their professional network. The most I got was English teacher after five interviews in a language school. I have a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, but I was willing to work in other areas, hotels, English teacher, whatever. Don’t make me wrong, I like very much this country, but I can’t afford to be here spending a lot of money in exchange waiting for ever to get a job and dealing with this complicated life style.. I must respect all of you who defend the Brazilian life style. I am anyway a foreigner and I don’t belong to here. But although I hate comparing, let me tell you my personal view of this city and country. THINGS I LOVE Our apartment is great, big and new, it has elevator, two parking spots (although we can’t afford to buy a car), we have space for washing machine… etc, all for a rent of $1500R. Apartments in New York City are old and very expensive. The medical insurance: It is affordable, we pay $450R per month for three people, and we don’t have to worry about surprise bills which is usual in the US. People: all are friendly and open to talk, especially when you have a foreigner accent, Brazilians get even more friendly. THINGS I HATE There are not parks or public recreation available, especially for kids. There are not sidewalks to walk with strollers, so I am on the drivers’ mercy when I push my baby’s stroller. The lack of respect, morals, education and ethics from a lot of people (not all of them). Bureaucracy. This country is sinking in all paper work, legal procedures, high fees, requirements, corruption and large amount of taxes. It took me a month just to open a bank account, and forget about renting an apt, we had to sign like 10 papers in cartorio, find fiadores, install showers, plafons and toilet seats. The tenant also pays condo and the apt taxes wich in the US are the owner’s responsibility. Expensive life: there are few things that are cheaper than in the US, but most of it is expensive such as clothes, food, transportation, banking fees, internet, CELL PHONES plans, cars, gasoline, dish soap, appliances, toys, diapers, car rental and housing (extremely expensive for purchase). Driving and Drivers: Getting a Brazilian Drivers License is the most difficult procedure due the rigid requirements that DETRAN asks for. However driving in Brazil is the most dangerous experience I’ve ever seen, no one respects signs, speed limits, pedestrians, and other drivers. It seems to me that everyone wants to show off so, the fastest you drive the better you become. Noise: I thought that moving to our current apt would alleviate the loud cars during the night. The thing is we didn’t notice there is a car sound shop on the back of our building, so they test speakers sometimes until 10pm on Saturdays. We have called several times to the office responsible for noise control, but of course the legal system here doesn’t work so after so many calls, a fiscal came and gave them a ticket but they’re still making noise. Also during day and night cars with propaganda and noisy drivers showing off, turn up their music making difficult to sleep. Also it’s normal that neighbors throw parties until the next day with loud music. If you complaint you become that neighbor target. Public transportation: it is not the best but it works. It takes about 1.5 hour to go to the center due to permanent traffic. Customer service: probably the worst in the world. Companies, shops, and government public service makes life horrible. Usually there is not guarantee after you buy something so if it’s broken, good luck. Companies care more about making a penny out of you rather building good reputation. Lack of competition: say in Cellphones plans, I got to know that there are three or four fat magnates who control this industry, even they have several companies, their plans are pretty much the same making it super expensive. Safety: although we haven’t been robbed yet, our neighbors’ apts have been burglarized at least once. This neighborhood is supposed to be safe, however the bakery on the corner have been assaulted twice this year. Years ago when my wife used to live here, she used to be robbed very frequent by kids. In certain areas in this city pick-pocketing is still normal. We can’t go out for a walk after 8pm. I know some of you may get upset for my comments but this is my personal view. I am returning to NY, I already got my job back, we found a nice apt for rent, the most important thing is we will feel safe and backed up by the American system, I feel the money I pay in taxes goes at least most of it to support school system, public areas, public hospitals and public safety (the 911 system here doesn’t work, police doesn’t even know the addresses well, and I got to know that the city only has eight ambulances to serve the city). Thanks for your comments

Brazil: Is it worth to pay a Head Hunter to find a job?:

I found a job agency called Martins e Bueno, which contacted me for an interview. I went to the interview well dresses, on time, and prepared for any possible job offer. The interview turned out into an offer of their services, including job placement, orientation, interview training, group dynamics, etc, all of that I remember seeing during my college years in the US. So they told me that in my position it would be very hard to find a job the way that I’m doing (sending my resume online, and using the internet most of the time, which I kind of believe) and that’s why they said I should hire them to help me finding a position in my field (logistics). I would have to pay R$3800 for 12 months contract, R$2800 for 8 months, or R$2300 for 6months. In any case I ‘d have to pay also 50% of my first month of salary. They do their best to find a position within that time but don’t guarantee it. So my question is, is it worth to pay? Here in Belo Horizonte I noticed that it takes months to find a good position, maybe years, and still they don’t pay well. thanks

Brazil: C.P.F. Number:

which Brazilian consulate you applied? I applied to the one in NY and took about four months after fighting with the consul.... Welcome to Brazil .. Bureaucratic paradise

Brazil: Pondering the thoughts of relocation. .:

Welcome to the Forum. I moved to Belo Horizonte two months ago with my Brazilian wife, this forum has helped me a lot with my questions and doubts. If you need information about this city let me know I'm getting to know it very well. about the jobs websites, I think the best is Vagas.com which is free and is linked to many companies that use your profile from that particular site. Another I know that is very helpful and searches around many other job sites is http://www.indeed.com.br/ Good luck!

Brazil: Older Brazilian Men, with Teenage Girls, normal?:

Well, Let me use my story to clarify some things here. I moved to Belo Horizonte three months ago, I came from the US. I’m not gringo, but now I realize how stupid I was to take this decision to come here. I like Brazil very much, the people here are friendly (way too much sometimes), and the food is great. One think I must say, law does not exist here; if we in the US have the jails full of criminals, predators and people waiting for trial, I guess is because the law works there. I’m happy being here for some things such as more affordable health care and better housing, but very frustrated because I don’t feel any protection by the government. In fact I had to call the police yesterday because I couldn’t afford the noise of some kids testing their new car speakers on the street, and guess what, the phone was busy, and after the call ended, they never came. And let’s be frank, even the same Brazilians say that police and law here is the worst thing they could rely on. Law here is a joke, I haven’t seen such a thing like is a person commits a crime it gets exonerated just because he/she hasn’t criminal background… just check the news how many people gets acquitted after killing someone. So in my opinion, predators here exist like they do in other cultures but in here they are called by their names. As long as the kid turns 18, she is full responsible to sleep with anyone, in fact I have seen some of my wife’s friends still living in their parents’ house (with over 40 y/o) and of course with their children from different father sometimes, it’s just sad. So be ready to come to Brazil, lots of courage needed to be here.

Brazil: job agencies:

I'm in Belo Horizonte two months ago, still looking for a job, I'm fluent in Spanish, English, MBA in Logistics and I have papers to work in Brazil. I haven't found the first agency which receives my CV in person, every single position, every single job in here has to be approached via Internet, or what locals here say you have to "cadastrar" your resume in our web site. Personally I feel frustrated there is not a person to person contact in my job search. If things stay like this in the next four months I pack my things and get back to the States.

Brazil: Funds Transfer Brazil to USA:

Right, I'm waiting to get confirmation from Citibank Brazil to get my account open so I can transfer my money from Citibank USA. Be careful!! I noticed here in Belo Horizonte that withdrawing from Citi ATMs costs me $2 per transaction (+ 3% of the transaction) because the ATMs here are not considered to be from Citibank, they belong to another company.... On top of that I wanted to mention also all the bureaucratic procedures to open an account here as estrangeiro, Bradesco, Caixa, Santander and Itau don't take my provisional Brazilian ID, they said they could help me asking me for a bunch of other papers that don't make sense. I've been working with an agency of Citibank here two weeks already but seems they are helping. cheers

Brazil: I need a Nanny in Belo Horizonte:

Hello, We arrived to BH a month ago, still getting adjusted to the culture and life here. My wife is working from home and I'll be out of home soon when I start my new job, so we will need some help with our seven month son. So far we know that a "salario" is what we should pay $R 622 + transportation for this kind of job, we don't mind to pay a little more as far as we find the right person. My wife (brazilian) used to babysit when she moved to the states during the daytime and attended college at night. There is not such a thing here, these nanny jobs are usually seemed with some prejudice (is sad) and no student would make some money on the side taking care of children. So the available ladies we have talked to, don't quite meet our requirements, because they are quite old or just need the job, but we really need a good person to take care of our boy. Please advice any suggestion. Thanks PABLO

Brazil: Cost of living:

I just moved to Belo Horizonte with my brazilian wife and 7 month old baby. Let me tell you something, think twice before you coming, I lived in NY for 13 years as well, I thought that with $R 5K here we would be ok, live here is ridiscously expensive, housing prices are the same like in Florida, and goods quality are far from the american ones, for example, the dish soup, you cant find any other than a brand called veja, is super bad and seems that it has the market monopoly. Good luck in your move

Brazil: Looking for a job in Brazil:

I came to Belo Horizonte two weeks ago, I'm shocked with reak estate industry here, here people prefer to buy rather to rent. Prices here are way to expensive, and according to sources it may keep going up, one apt of 3 bdrooms, 100 m2, in a ok area is around $R2000, plus condo and taxes, so total 2500. contracts are generally for three years. one house 250 m2 with swimming pool, 20 years old is 600 K R. as a english teacher... salaries are too low, up to 20 R hour. private classes could be 40. think before coming here life is not that easy as I thought.

Date Joined:

1/31/2011

Total Posts:

50

Posts/Day:

0.02