Although Brazil is a huge country and the different regions have remarkable differences in terms of quality of life, income, climate and culture, in general we will analyze what are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Brazil. Currently, the country is slowly recovering from the crisis of the last few years, which caused a 10% drop in GDP. However, Brazil is still a great economic power (the ninth largest economy in the world), for a foreigner it is not easy to find a job. And if you have no qualifications, it is better to let go.
The fascinating thing about the Brazilian lifestyle is that Brazilians, regardless of whether they have high or low incomes, are really fun people who love parties, good music and dancing, and are usually night owls. Brazilians, rich or poor, enjoy life. Brazilians are warm, open, friendly and helpful people that you may find even friendlier than Latinos. Brazilians are among the friendliest people in the world. But to really integrate, you need to know Portuguese. I
Life in Brazil flows slowly and without stress. People are extremely relaxed and in many cases do not pay attention to details or to doing things correctly and accurately. Much is left to superficiality and improvisation. Contrary to what you might expect, Brazil is not a very tolerant country. Gays and lesbians are heavily discriminated and Islam is synonymous with terrorism for many Brazilians and is not accepted at all.
One of the main problems in major Brazilian cities is traffic and non-compliance with the rules. The streets are a crazy mix of cars, buses, and motorcycles travelling without rules. Every day an excessive number of people are hit by a car. The only places where everything runs smoothly and perfectly are neighborhoods inhabited or frequented by wealthy people. This mentality is symptomatic of a class system.That is, discrimination based on belonging or not belonging to a certain social class.
But the country’s nature is spectacular, there are beautiful beaches, mountains, forests, lakes and rivers with some of the most enchanting natural landscapes in the world. Also the food is excellent: exquisite meat, fresh fish, abundant fruits and vegetables and good desserts.
Don’t think Brazil is cheap. Living in Brazil is expensive. So to live well, you need a good salary. To save money, it is advisable to avoid big cities because life is much more expensive here.
As far as security is concerned, Brazil is not a safe country. Because of the great disparity in wealth, high unemployment and other factors, crime is high. You must always be vigilant. Never show anything valuable on the street. Also, in every city there are areas or whole neighborhoods where you should not go. Robberies, assaults, drug trafficking and murders are common, especially in big cities. However, there are also some small towns where this phenomenon is almost non-existent.
Each region of the country has a different climate, which varies even within regions. However, in most places in Brazil the weather is really good and you can go to the beach almost all year round. In winter, the temperatures are never too low.
Taxation in Brazil is quite high (45% tax). Be prepared to pay these fees without getting much in return. If you are sick, you will have to pay a private doctor, and if your child is of school age, you will have to pay for a private school, because public services (health, school) are insufficient. Public health care is free, but clearly inefficient due to underfunding, waste, and corruption. If you want to have any chance at all to get treatment, you have to buy private health insurance. The public education system is free, but it is very poor. So if you are looking for good schools, you will find them in the private sector (for a fee).
Living and working in Brazil – pros and cons
Living in Brazil, pros
- Easy integration
- Spectacular landscapes and nature
- Relaxed life and slow rhythms
- Good weather
- Few ethnic or racial tensions
- Good business opportunities
Living in Brazil, cons
- Slow and inefficient public transportation
- High cost of living
- High crime rate
- Difficulties in finding employment
- Inefficient public services (school, health, etc.)
- Chaotic traffic
Living in Brazil, conclusion
The quality of life in Brazil will depend on your income and budget. If you have a good income, you will enjoy a good standard of living. On the other hand, if you have a low income, it will be difficult for you to make ends meet.
In Brazil you are dealing with a strong class mentality, the poor are considered second class citizens. But the freedom, the simplicity, the smiles, the joie de vivre, the happiness and the hospitality that you find in this country are unsurpassed in the world.
If you are interested in working in Brazil, you can read the article: Moving to Brazil
If you want to have all the information about how to work in Brazil, I recommend you to read the article: Work in Brazil
