Rio De Janeiro - Post Report Question and Answers
What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
We had lived in Latin America before, so we were ready for the street crime and poverty. I was surprised by how many homeless people were on the streets on zona sul and the drug use is quite high. People will approach you at the beach and offer drugs. You have to really be aware of your surroundings. Brazil has free healthcare and social resources, but it struggles to keep up with the demand. There are areas of the city you should never visit because they are not safe. Despite the challenges, we had a wonderful time in Rio and I would go back in a heartbeat. Brazilians love the US, the culture is obsessed with Disney, and everyone has a cousin that lives in Florida or Massachusetts. It feels very comfortable to live here because the city is diverse, people are friendly and helpful, they love children, and they like to have fun. - Sep 2025
I wish we had known how bad we would find the American School to be.... we wouldn't have bid on this post had we had known. - Oct 2019
The country is a roller-coaster ride and you just have to roll with it. - Apr 2019
Don't try to travel by bus or car on a local holiday. - Jun 2017
Food is boring here. good food is expensive here. - May 2016
