Expat Advice: Relationships in Sao Paulo, Brazil

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Sao Paulo

What is your current status? Are you single, dating, in a long-term relationship, married or divorced?

Single (female) 40ish

What is it like in your country of residence for someone with your relationship status (married/divorced/dating)? If you're single, how do you meet other people? Do English-speaking people tend to gravitate to certain parts of your city?

It is terrible. The cultural/education level of Brazilians is very low and they are very insular with Brazilian culture. There are many opportunities to meet people, hundreds if you wish, but hardly any chance to find intelligent, high-level men my age among these people. Brazilian men tend to be deeply sexist, many look exclusively for women 10-20 yrs younger than they are. Brazilians can be divided into conservatives (usually more working or lower middle class) and the rest, the majority of the population, of vulgar, sexist liberals (who think they are fabulous). Many married men look at single women exclusively as a potential adultery opportunity (no respect in any way). Homosexual and bisexual women bother single (straight) women constantly. Most mature, decent people are married, but they totally exclude singles from their social lives.

If you have children, what advice would you give to others making a similar transition to your country of residence?

Find a nice residential area, preferably more conservative. Choose the school very carefully. There are wonderful nannies for small kids. Sao Paulo is a smog house with dangerous levels of pollution, there are many beautiful cities which are not dirty and polluted like SP in Brazil, if you can, choose one, your children will breathe better. Your nose will also thank you.

What would be the best advice you could give someone with your relationship status that lives in your country of residence? Any other thoughts?

If you want a quality relationship, move somewhere else. Life's short.