🇧🇷 Brazil

Living in Brazil — Reviews & ratings

Choose a place that fits your routine

Brazil offers very different settings for everyday life. São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Recife and smaller inland cities should not be treated as interchangeable destinations. Climate, distances and the pace of a neighbourhood can influence how comfortable you feel.

Start with where you would work or study. Then look at the surrounding areas, the services you need and the journeys you would make regularly. A neighbourhood that suits a holiday may not suit an ordinary working week.

Look beyond the advertised rent

Compare housing costs with the income you expect to receive, whether from local employment or another source. Include groceries, transport, utilities and other regular expenses before deciding what you can afford.

When considering an apartment, ask whether the advertised price includes condominium charges and any property-related charges passed on under the contract. Check ventilation, noise, internet availability and the condition of the building. In a warm location, cooling costs and afternoon sun can make a noticeable difference to comfort and spending.

Assess the neighbourhood and your daily routes

Safety is best considered at the level of the streets and routes you would actually use. Visit the area at different times, ask residents about their routines and examine the journey between home, work and public transport.

Check current local information about both security and environmental risks, including flooding where relevant. A convenient address on a map does not tell you everything about walking conditions, lighting or getting home late.

Portuguese makes everyday tasks easier

Learning Portuguese can help with rental discussions, appointments, school communication and friendships. Even basic confidence can make it easier to explain a problem or ask a follow-up question.

Before settling on an area, identify nearby healthcare options and find out how to access them. If you are moving with children, investigate school admissions, schedules and transport alongside your own working hours.

Prepare for the practical side of arriving

For an international move, check current residence and work requirements for your circumstances. Find out when you may need a CPF, Brazil’s individual taxpayer identification number, and what documents different banks or service providers request. A CPF alone does not establish a right to live or work in the country.

Also consider how you will receive income, make payments and maintain contact with people abroad. Confirm these arrangements before relying on them in your monthly budget.

Describe the Brazil you experienced

A useful review names the city and neighbourhood, when you lived there and whether you were working, studying or visiting. Explain what your housing was like, how you travelled and where your money went.

Food, social connections and outdoor activities can be important parts of the experience, but so can noise, paperwork or difficult journeys. Share what mattered in your own routine and rate only the services you personally used.