Moving to Brazil

"Do lots of research as it is available on line. Include in your research a local attorney who speaks English and is a member of either Briton's legal Bar Association or the ABA in the States. It is always nice when the local attorney is licensed in one of those countries because unethical practices could get them barred. With their membership in one of the Bar Associations there should be available info on whether any complaints have been filed against them in the past. These local attorneys act very much like the Title companies in the States. They do all the research to ensure free and clear property and titles. Make sure that you visit the area and the home to ensure it is what you hoped it to be. I would also recommend staying at least 2 weeks and spend time knowing the area. THE MOVE: Moving from the UK or USA is probably not a big deal. However, to get your household goods into Brazil.....well that's another matter. For instance, the USA moving company needs a 3rd party in Brazil to facilitate receiving your container and moving it to your new home. They will need paperwork that to us seems highly unusual and bureaucratic. Brazil is after all a highly bureaucratic place to live and if you haven't lived here then your in for a surprise. One of the documents that I needed was my original boarding pass from the airline that I flew from Miami to Recife. The 3rd party Brazilian company stated that without the boarding pass to prove how I arrived in Brazil then the container could not be received in Brazil (my federally stamped passport and my federally stamped Entry Card does not count). The boarding pass along with a number of other paperwork had to be notarized at one of the local Cartarios and returned to the 3rd party company. It will require several hours of standing in line to get 5 minutes of work completed. If your moving to Brazil this is how they do things and all the complaining from me or you will not change it. With all this said, I will say now that after all the standing in line waiting, jumping through hoops and getting mad, after returning home to our villa and seeing the sunset from our roof top........PRICELESS," commented one expat who made the move to Praia de Pipa.

"One of the best ways to find a place to live in Brazil is to use online rental platforms, such as Airbnb, Olx, and Quinto Andar. You can also search on classified ad websites like Classificados and Rentalia, or real estate listings by city on websites like ZAP. Additionally, you can make use of other online marketplaces such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Fazenda. If you prefer more traditional methods, you can find listings of rental properties in local newspapers or contact a real estate broker to help you find a place. Additionally, you can find a wide array of furnished and unfurnished rental apartments and houses listed in popular Brazilian cities on websites such as VivaReal and Imovelweb," said one expat who made the move to Brazil.

"I choose Jardins because it is one of the few places where you can walk to the pharmacy, supermarket ect. The downside is that I spend 3 yes three hours a day to and from the office (7 km each way).. My office is in a commercial area and living there would be depressing," explained one expat living in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"We started in 2006 researching the internet for property to the north of Natal in Rio Grande do Norte State. After finding some villa's just completed and for sale located to the north of Natal we then made contact with the real estate agent in Natal and made dates to visit. While there we heard of Praia de Pipa, Brazil and did more internet research at the hotel and made contact with the company building Pipa Beleza Resort. After driving down and visiting the resort we bought the last villa available for sale in 2007," said one in Praia de Pipa.

"There are 41 units within the resort, mostly owned by foreigners. There are a few owned by Brazilians but the others are mostly from Europe or UK. Each of the units vary in size but 150m2 is about average for the villas with 2 stories. Ours has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and a roof veranda that includes a Jacuzzi. Pipa Beleza Resort is one of the leading and most modern resort in the area and several more have or are being built as we speak," said one expat who made the move to Praia de Pipa.

"Expat homes and apartments in Brazil tend to offer a comfortable and stylish living experience, with modern furnishings, air conditioning, and plenty of natural light. Many expats living in Brazil opt for spacious apartments in exclusive residential buildings in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, with amenities such as swimming pools, gyms, and doormen to provide security and convenience. Expat homes and apartments may also feature balconies with gorgeous views, terraces, and extra storage spaces," explained one expat living in Brazil.

"I live in an apartment. I cannot recommend a house due to security concerns. None of my Brazilian coworkers live in single family homes and my employeer recommends against it. Almost all apartments are built for families not for singles," said one in Sao Paulo.

"The average cost of housing in Brazil is typically high, and the level of cost is dependent on the specific city or region. In more affluent cities and regions, housing can be significantly more expensive than in places with a lower median income. Additionally, rental prices can vary greatly depending on location, size, and amenities offered," replied a member in Brazil.

"Housing costs are expensive, I don't know much about it though, but cheaper than London," commented one expat who made the move to Rio de Janeiro.

"The decision to buy or rent a home in Brazil depends on a number of factors, including your budget, your job situation, and your goals for the future. It's important to look at your situation closely and consider all the pros and cons before making a decision. Renting may be a better option for those who aren't sure how long they'll stay in Brazil, need more flexibility, or don't have the resources to take on a large financial commitment. Buying a property may be beneficial in the long-run and can be a good investment if you plan to stay in Brazil for a long time. It's also possible to buy a home and live in it while renting out part of the home to cover costs. Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent a home in Brazil is a personal one, so it's best to evaluate your individual situation before making a decision," said one expat in Brazil.

"We bought a home. We saw our property on the internet and the agent met us at the hotel the day after we landed. We looked at 5 or 6 as I recall. We found one we liked, obtained our tax card (CPF) and spoke to a lawyer who handled both the house purchase and our immigration. With the vendors, and agents we went to a cartorio and signed an official contract," remarked one expat who made the move to Taiba.

"1. Bring Everything you can from undies to electronics. Everything is crazy expensive. 2. Bring some winter clothing, ski holidays to Chile are a great escape. 3. Bring Electric Mattress pads, blankets and heaters. There is no heating in Brazilian homes and it gets very cold in the winter. All buildings are cement and the winter is cold and humid. 1. Leave Nothing," said one expat who made the move to Sao Paulo.

"We were pretty careful after living overseas to ensure the critical things needed were being shipped and non-critical things were not placed into the shipment. We were more careful this time as we were paying for the move ourselves. A couple things: electricity in the USA is 120v. So knowing that some things will not convert to 240 (North 1/3 of Brazil is 240, the middle 1/3 is 127v and the bottom 1/3 of Brazil is 240), we purchased 2 large power converters to step down 240 to 120v. We also ensured that the converters were able to manage several electrical components at the same time. The one thing we did not bring........Phillips tooth brush heads for our Sonic tooth brushes. And no, we can't find them here," explained one expat living in Praia de Pipa, Brazil.

"In Brazil, it is important to be aware of the cultural norms when interacting with people and engaging in activities. When conversing, it is considered impolite to be too direct or speak in a loud tone. It is important to research and understand the local customs before arriving in the country, especially if you are traveling for business as Brazilian business culture operates differently than other countries. Standing uncomfortably close to people and making physical contact, such as a hug or kiss, is often deemed inappropriate. Additionally, it is important to be aware of and abide by the conservative dress code and customs that apply in both social and professional contexts. Finally, it is important to be aware of Brazil's national holidays and other special observances and be respectful of their importance to the local people," replied a member in Brazil.

"Brazil is an attractive destination for expats, due to its vibrant culture, stunning beaches and diverse wildlife. The cost of living in Brazil is very low compared to many other countries, making it a great place to live and work. The country also has a number of modern cities, with excellent infrastructure, and a variety of businesses, making it possible for expats to pursue their careers. The country also offers a wonderful climate, with year-round sunshine and warm temperatures, making it a great place to explore and simply relax. Lastly, the friendly people and lively atmosphere of the country attract many expats to move to Brazil," commented one expat living in Brazil.

"Brazil does have a National Health Care program and my wife and I have taken advantage of this service for relatively minor health issues. But it is a national health care program that must be funded by the government with many cities such as Rio de Janerio unable to fund many of these clinics and public hospitals to the degree that they should be. We are retired and our health issues are relatively minor but we feel strongly about having a paid for medical insurance plan. This plan pays for annual physicals that include treadmill stress test, visit with cardiologist, Urologist, blood tests and a personal consultation with your doctor about the results. Mine lasted nearly a full hour. We looked for a doctor who spoke English and was very good in his/her field. We chose a private practice doctor in Natal, Brazil who performed his studies under the direction of Dr. Christian Bernard in South Africa. So my advice.......live in or near a big city such as Natal, Brazil, spend some time talking with insurance agents about doctors and qualifications in your area and do not depend only on the national social medicine programs. Purchase private medical insurance. Mine is from AMIL who's parent company is United Health Care," commented one expat living in Natal.

"Healthcare services in Brazil are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is known as the Unified Health System (SUS) and is funded by the government. It provides free healthcare to all citizens and permanent residents, including foreign residents. The quality of public healthcare varies from region to region, with some areas having better access to resources and better quality care than others. Expats in Brazil can use the public healthcare system, but they may need to pay for some services. Private healthcare is also available and is often preferred by expats due to its higher quality of care. Private healthcare is usually more expensive than public healthcare, but it can provide more comprehensive coverage and access to better facilities," commented one expat who moved to Brazil.

"Brazil has a comprehensive public health system, providing free medical care to all citizens. Private health care is also available, and is often of a higher quality than public health care. Brazil has a large number of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers, and many of them are well-equipped and staffed with experienced professionals. Brazil also has a number of specialized medical centers, such as cancer treatment centers, and centers for the treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, Brazil has a number of medical research centers, which are dedicated to researching and developing new treatments and technologies," said one expat.

"Compared to the US, is cheap and for "normal" health problems as good as if not better than the US, however, I have been away from the US for such a long time, my opinion may be very relevant," said one expat living in Goiania, Brazil.