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Pros and Cons of Living in Brazil | Expat Exchange
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Pros and Cons of Living in Brazil

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Oliveira Lawyers
Oliveira Lawyers
Oliveira Lawyers

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on May 04, 2023

Summary: The pros of living in Brazil include its vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife. Brazil is also home to some of the world's most vibrant cities, such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Additionally, Brazil has a strong economy and is a major player in the global market. On the other hand, the cons of living in Brazil include its high crime rate, high cost of living, and poor infrastructure. Additionally, Brazil has a history of political instability and corruption, which can make it difficult for foreigners to feel safe and secure.

What are the pros and cons of living in Brazil?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Brazil responded:

"It is absolutely not useful for anyone to compare Brazil to the United States so I won't. I like living here and am in a very lucky situation. Although there are distinct disadvantages to living here mostly related to convenience, life here is excellent. It's a beautiful place. It's easy to travel by car or air when there is no pandemic. I love photography so it's a paradise in some ways. I'd love to build a homestead but I'm afraid the wife is a city girl so that's probably not in the cards. Maybe a weekend place where I could do a garden? On the downside, it can be uncomfortable to confront certain types of ignorance that are, for the most part, no fault of the ignorant ones. You have to understand where you are and that you have not had to live through what these folks have had to live through. They are conditioned just like anybody gets conditioned by their upbringing. They're mostly good hearted so if you want a laundry list of complaints, I'm not going to give it. If you want to find good here, they have it in spades. If you want to gritch and gripe, you'll have plenty of fodder for that as well. I keep reminding myself how extraordinary it is to have this opportunity. I would like to be able to talk with more people who like woodworking, people who are classical musicians and people who are "makers" but that's splitting hairs and I feel like that will come in time when we can talk to each other without the unreasonable fear we are under in the present moment," said one expat in Rio de Janeiro.

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the vibrant culture and friendly people of Brazil. They also enjoy the country's diverse landscapes, from the Amazon rainforest to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro. The cost of living is also relatively low, making it an attractive destination for those looking to stretch their budget. On the downside, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Portuguese, and the country's infrastructure can be unreliable. Additionally, crime rates are high in some areas, so it's important to research the safety of a particular city before moving there," remarked one expat in Brazil.

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Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered! Main services include immigration, real estate, notary services, tax services, collections, family law, and litigation.

Oliveira LawyersOliveira Lawyers

Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered! Main services include immigration, real estate, notary services, tax services, collections, family law, and litigation.
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What do expats in Brazil appreciate most about the local culture?

"They are always ready for a party. Everything is possible They also share a lot with the poors, and everyone is enforced in some way to participate in caring," said one expat in Sao Paulo.

"Expatriates in Brazil appreciate the unique blend of cultures that create a rich and diverse atmosphere. They enjoy the casual and friendly atmosphere, and the vibrant and colourful local music, dance and cuisine. They also appreciate the country's warm climate and stunning natural scenery. Expats enjoy the laid-back attitude towards life in Brazil and appreciate the openness of the Brazilian people to different cultures. Furthermore, many expats appreciate the openness and willingness to adopt the latest and most modern technologies, allowing them to stay connected with their home cultures and developments," said a person living in Brazil.

"I love so many things here in Brazil. The nature, food, environment, most of the people, etc," explained one expat living in Curitiba.

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Oliveira Lawyers

Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered! Main services include immigration, real estate, notary services, tax services, collections, family law, and litigation.

Learn MoreGet Quote

Oliveira Lawyers

Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered! Main services include immigration, real estate, notary services, tax services, collections, family law, and litigation.

Learn MoreGet Quote

What do expats find most challenging?

"A common challenge that expats in Brazil face is the language barrier. Despite the widespread use of the Portuguese language, many Brazilians also speak their own local dialects, making it difficult for those just beginning to learn the language. Additionally, Brazilian culture has a strong emphasis on maintaining relationships and an intricate system of protocols and etiquette rules, which can be confusing and difficult to navigate for those unfamiliar with local norms. Additionally, Brazilians value harmony and tranquillity, while expats coming from outside cultures may be less familiar with this emphasis on peace and group concord, resulting in clashes and misunderstandings within conversations," explained one expat.

"The language and they are also very isolated. All the newspapers and TV talk about Brazil and Brazil, not much about the rest of the world problems," said one person in Sao Paulo.

"In my case, trying to adapt from the North american mentality, where we worry most about making more and paying bills and relaxing more. It has to do partly with the fact that life for many Brazilians is much harder than middle class North Americans experience," remarked one expat in Fortaleza.

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Oliveira Lawyers
Oliveira Lawyers

Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered!
Get Quote

Oliveira LawyersOliveira Lawyers

Oliveira Lawyers is the foremost Brazilian law firm dedicated to representing the interests of foreign citizens in Brazil. From immigration to real estate and other life events, our bilingual attorneys got you covered!
Get Quote

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