Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Report of what it's like to live there - 04/19/19
Personal Experiences from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I've also lived and worked in Germany, Poland, Sweden, India, and South Africa.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Chicago, which is a fairly easy 12 hours with one connection through New York, Miami, Atlanta, or Houston
3. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
My housing was fantastic. I had a three bedroom apartment 20 yards from the beach with views of the beach and Christo Redentor/Corcovado. it was too big for me, but I suffered through it. After construction on the Metro was completed, my commute door-to-door was 40 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Zona Sul is all over Rio proper and Pao de Acucar is bigger, but less prevalent. Produce and fresh foods were relatively cheap, while U.S.-type packaged foods and cleaning supplies were more expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Salad dressings, tuna fish, croutons, furniture polish, and anything with a spray nozzle.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
I found a variety of restaurants, apps for food delivery, and take-out were all widely available, but I'm not a foodie, so I'm not the best judge.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
I didn't have any problems, but I heard from a few colleagues who did.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Dip, pouch: people didn't get the post cards I sent through the local mail
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
I didn't hire anyone, but it's widely available at reasonable costs; I did hear stories about theft though...
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The Consulate has a serviceable workout room usable for free for consulate employees. Local clubs are better, but much more expensive.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Usually, but not always. I never had a problem, but heard that the ATM in the consulate was the safest in the city, yet was still hacked, I assume through a wireless connection.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There was an English-speaking Anglican church which I attended for Christmas and Easter in Botafogo.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Portuguese is required. Language classes are available for Consulate employees and their families at the Consulate.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, they are still getting up to speed in offering facilities for those less able.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Metro worked fine for me and I took the buses only occasionally. Taxis and Uber (more affordable, tho some taxi apps matched uber) were safe for me.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
None, only if you need it and need/want to travel outside of the city center. I could see a car being necessary for families with kids, but I'm single so I had no need. Having a car that's available in Brazil is helpful because foreign car parts can be very expensive.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet is the same as it is in the U.S., mini-monopolies by neighborhood or building with no competition. Consequently, Net (pronounced "netchie") was generally considered the best, but seemed kind of expensive to me, and not a great value for the money. They installed the day after I ordered the service.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Sim cards are readily available & the Brazilians are very connected and digital savvy, so the 3-4 top carriers are all competitive. Many use pay-as-you-go plans.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
I didn't have a pet, but many friends did and found that they're treated well because Brazil is the second largest pet-owning country in the world.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Most worked in Eligible Family Member (EFM) positions at the the Consulate; some spouses worked virtually for companies in the states.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
The Community Liaison Office (CLO) offered lots of volunteer activities while I was there.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Very business casual; Brazilians/Cariocas get formal occasionally, but very rarely.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
For the three years I was there I didn't have a problem, but an intern was robbed at gunpoint in Ipanema, a friend was carjacked in the Centro with his fiancee and parents in the car, and a Consular colleague was shot when they stopped on a country road.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is good. I didn't have surgery there, but I know someone who did and he was happy with it.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
The air in Rio was the best in the world for me. I suffer from allergies and had none the whole time I was there.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
I am allergic to shellfish, and that's on the menu at many places, so I just avoided those dishes.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Brazilians during Carnival can get very drunk, which is not good for anyone's mental health, especially children.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It's beautiful April-October and hot and sticky November-March.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is a wide variety of international schools available, depending where you are (Canadian was in Niteroi across the bay). Most at the consulate gravitated toward the American school.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
A colleague had a special needs child who seemed to be treated well.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Expats are there, but not recognizable; they blend in at the beach. the morale is great because you're in Rio, but you don't go to Rio for the ex-pats: you go because the locals are so nice, fun, friendly...
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
The Brazilians/Cariocas can't say no to a party, so they are a very social people. During Carnival, they over-socialize. There was an active Internations group, but I didn't do anything with them. I joined the Flamengo Clube where I could swim and attended a few social events there, but didn't get to know many other members.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I enjoyed my time as a single person in Rio. I dated a number of people through dating apps and had a very nice time. Couples seemed to have a good time too. I love music, and there are ample musical choices in Rio.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I believe so. A gay colleague had a great time.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Aside from dates and colleagues at work, I didn't make as many friends with locals as I would have liked. Although Brazil is considered a Rainbow nation, there is more prejudice against the poor and traditionally disadvantaged than appears on the surface.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Evangelism is growing and there is some pushback against that.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Getting to know the Brazilians and their music, traveling throughout all of South America (kind of expensive though), Iguazu Falls
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Beach volleyball with the Consulate gringos was one of my favorite activities, as well as swimming at Flamengo clube, and dating locals.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Not particularly, there are markets along the beach and the "Hippie Fair" in Ipanema on Sundays is renowned.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The beach, the Brazilians/Cariocas, and the weather.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The country is a roller-coaster ride and you just have to roll with it.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
In a minute.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes, American bathing suit, body consciousness; this is a country where nobody has body issues. They put their bodies out there on the beach all the time.
4. But don't forget your:
Portugues, sun screen, and common sense; don't ever take any valuables to the beach
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
City of God, there was a movie about the kidnapping of the American Ambassador in Rio that was informative, but I forget the name, the book: How to become a Carioca.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Rio was great.
