Sao Paulo?

[Anonymous]

Hello. I did not post this is the travel section because travel and expat experiences are different. Does anyone here have experience living and working in Sao Paulo, Brazil? My DH has been offered a postion there for four years with his company. We are considering it. However, we do have concerns. We have a 14 year old DD who just started HS. We were sort of committed to not moving her in HS, with the understanding that moving her was a distinct possibility b/c of DH's career. The Sao Paulo job would mean moving now - after 1st semester 9th grade - rather than moving in another year or two, which would be more difficult.

In any case, I am looking for any advice people have on life in Sao Paulo, especially the schools for expat children. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I am from Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. Only have been to Sao Paulo once in my life but it is the biggest city in Brazil and its financial/economical capital. If I were you I WOULD NOT move.

Brazillians are great and welcoming and Brazil is a beautiful country. That said, the cost of living is VERY high and that might not be important to you because probably he is being offered a very high salary. The reason really I would not move there is the violence.

You will probably live in a high security closed condominium of houses or condos, have a driver and all that. But it is the kind of place you won't be able to let your child go to the movies alone, have to watch for stranger's car parked outside of you building, can't really walk outside at night, etc.

I am not sure if I am being able to convey really how violent it is. There are no terrorists or anything like that, but you just DO NOT FEEL SAFE and have to always being looking behind your back, being on your toes.

Aside that (if it is something you are somewhat used to or prepared to deal with) it is a great country and your daughter would have an amazing experience. The values are very different and I am sure she would have much more fun as a teen there than here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am from Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. Only have been to Sao Paulo once in my life but it is the biggest city in Brazil and its financial/economical capital. If I were you I WOULD NOT move.

Brazillians are great and welcoming and Brazil is a beautiful country. That said, the cost of living is VERY high and that might not be important to you because probably he is being offered a very high salary. The reason really I would not move there is the violence.

You will probably live in a high security closed condominium of houses or condos, have a driver and all that. But it is the kind of place you won't be able to let your child go to the movies alone, have to watch for stranger's car parked outside of you building, can't really walk outside at night, etc.

I am not sure if I am being able to convey really how violent it is. There are no terrorists or anything like that, but you just DO NOT FEEL SAFE and have to always being looking behind your back, being on your toes.

Aside that (if it is something you are somewhat used to or prepared to deal with) it is a great country and your daughter would have an amazing experience. The values are very different and I am sure she would have much more fun as a teen there than here.

I'm not OP, but I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it like that in just San Paulo? Or all Brazilian cities? My cousin is planning to move to Belo Horizonte (sp?) next month with her husband and I am hoping it's not as violent there. Have you been there?

If you don't mind, can you also talk more about the culture and childhood/teen experiences. My cousin's children are 6 and 10. How is it different there for children?

[Anonymous]

I would go in a heartbeat. The guarded condo life is true, but you will have a driver, a cook, etc, all paid for by the company. Its a life experience. Do it.

[Anonymous]

My uncle used to go to Sao paolo on business a lot in the 1990s. He said it was so dangerous they would take helicopters from roof to roof to get around.

[Anonymous]

So, if you stick to your current job, you would move somewhere in a year or two? Any idea where that might so we can compare?
Everyone I know who went to international school abroad in high school loved it. I think your daughter could deal ok.

[Anonymous]

Honestly I wouldn't do it. Sao Paulo is very big, very congested, and not that safe for teenagers. It's fascinating and has great food, and I'm sure your family would learn a lot, but it's just not an easy place to live. If you were talking about Rio or Curitiba or Porto Alegre, I'd give you a different answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am from Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. Only have been to Sao Paulo once in my life but it is the biggest city in Brazil and its financial/economical capital. If I were you I WOULD NOT move.

Brazillians are great and welcoming and Brazil is a beautiful country. That said, the cost of living is VERY high and that might not be important to you because probably he is being offered a very high salary. The reason really I would not move there is the violence.

You will probably live in a high security closed condominium of houses or condos, have a driver and all that. But it is the kind of place you won't be able to let your child go to the movies alone, have to watch for stranger's car parked outside of you building, can't really walk outside at night, etc.

I am not sure if I am being able to convey really how violent it is. There are no terrorists or anything like that, but you just DO NOT FEEL SAFE and have to always being looking behind your back, being on your toes.

Aside that (if it is something you are somewhat used to or prepared to deal with) it is a great country and your daughter would have an amazing experience. The values are very different and I am sure she would have much more fun as a teen there than here.

I'm not OP, but I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it like that in just San Paulo? Or all Brazilian cities? My cousin is planning to move to Belo Horizonte (sp?) next month with her husband and I am hoping it's not as violent there. Have you been there?

If you don't mind, can you also talk more about the culture and childhood/teen experiences. My cousin's children are 6 and 10. How is it different there for children?

Pp here: I go to BH every year only because I have family there. I find it extremely boring. The zoo is better than here, there are some parks, but nothing like here. It is definitely not a cultural center, not many things to do with children. I go to the mall almost everyday because

1) it is safe

2) there is nothing else to do (I'm sure there is, I just haven't found yet)

BH is the capital of Mina's Gerais and there are no beaches in Mina's. the mentality is kind of provincial - lots of people are originally from very small cities whose parents sent them to BH to go to college and they ended staying. And most of those people's are farmers, cattle or agriculture. Very religious - I noticed this last time I went that there was an image of some saint in almost every business (to protect I guess), and almost all the good, traditional private schools have some sorte of connection with the Catholic Church - at least in name "Nossa Senhora de Lourdes" " st Arnald" etc....

It has the fame of being the city with the most number or bars per capita in the whole country, and the bars are always crowded. There is a very lively night life for the young, single and childless couple I guess. The food is great, but very rich and fattening.

The women there have wonderful legs because the city is made of hills - one after another. The traffic is like in any other big city, but not as bad as São Paulo or Rio, or even here.

It is violent as well, but also not as much as in Rio or São Paulo. But the things I said before about always being on your toes, watching your back, watching for strangers around your garage, etc, apply here.

For children: middle class and higher in Brazil live an insular life. It is a very consumist culture, so parents tend to over spoil their kids. Their children are not exposed to diversity, in schools, social clubs, and their environment in general. I find Brazillian children (there are exceptions of course) very ill behaved and plain, entitled little brats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, if you stick to your current job, you would move somewhere in a year or two? Any idea where that might so we can compare?
Everyone I know who went to international school abroad in high school loved it. I think your daughter could deal ok.

Hard to say - But more likely an emerging market country like Russia, India or China.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am from Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. Only have been to Sao Paulo once in my life but it is the biggest city in Brazil and its financial/economical capital. If I were you I WOULD NOT move.

Brazillians are great and welcoming and Brazil is a beautiful country. That said, the cost of living is VERY high and that might not be important to you because probably he is being offered a very high salary. The reason really I would not move there is the violence.

You will probably live in a high security closed condominium of houses or condos, have a driver and all that. But it is the kind of place you won't be able to let your child go to the movies alone, have to watch for stranger's car parked outside of you building, can't really walk outside at night, etc.

I am not sure if I am being able to convey really how violent it is. There are no terrorists or anything like that, but you just DO NOT FEEL SAFE and have to always being looking behind your back, being on your toes.

Aside that (if it is something you are somewhat used to or prepared to deal with) it is a great country and your daughter would have an amazing experience. The values are very different and I am sure she would have much more fun as a teen there than here.

I'm not OP, but I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it like that in just San Paulo? Or all Brazilian cities? My cousin is planning to move to Belo Horizonte (sp?) next month with her husband and I am hoping it's not as violent there. Have you been there?

If you don't mind, can you also talk more about the culture and childhood/teen experiences. My cousin's children are 6 and 10. How is it different there for children?

Pp here: I go to BH every year only because I have family there. I find it extremely boring. The zoo is better than here, there are some parks, but nothing like here. It is definitely not a cultural center, not many things to do with children. I go to the mall almost everyday because

1) it is safe

2) there is nothing else to do (I'm sure there is, I just haven't found yet)

BH is the capital of Mina's Gerais and there are no beaches in Mina's. the mentality is kind of provincial - lots of people are originally from very small cities whose parents sent them to BH to go to college and they ended staying. And most of those people's are farmers, cattle or agriculture. Very religious - I noticed this last time I went that there was an image of some saint in almost every business (to protect I guess), and almost all the good, traditional private schools have some sorte of connection with the Catholic Church - at least in name "Nossa Senhora de Lourdes" " st Arnald" etc....

It has the fame of being the city with the most number or bars per capita in the whole country, and the bars are always crowded. There is a very lively night life for the young, single and childless couple I guess. The food is great, but very rich and fattening.

The women there have wonderful legs because the city is made of hills - one after another. The traffic is like in any other big city, but not as bad as São Paulo or Rio, or even here.

It is violent as well, but also not as much as in Rio or São Paulo. But the things I said before about always being on your toes, watching your back, watching for strangers around your garage, etc, apply here.

For children: middle class and higher in Brazil live an insular life. It is a very consumist culture, so parents tend to over spoil their kids. Their children are not exposed to diversity, in schools, social clubs, and their environment in general. I find Brazillian children (there are exceptions of course) very ill behaved and plain, entitled little brats.

Thank you for sharing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, if you stick to your current job, you would move somewhere in a year or two? Any idea where that might so we can compare?
Everyone I know who went to international school abroad in high school loved it. I think your daughter could deal ok.

Hard to say - But more likely an emerging market country like Russia, India or China.

Hmm. I think I'd prefer brazil? All of those will have crime and pollution concerns.

Any chance he could negotiate going to rio rather than Sao paolo?

[Anonymous]

He could do Rio, but there he is only head of a local office. In Sao Paulo, he is in charge of the operations for the whole country. So, that is really a big step up for him.

[Anonymous]

14:58 here: of all the countries you mentioned I would rather go to Brazil. If I didn't have kids, maybe India for the cultural experience. Maybe Russia is also a good tie

Rio is a great city but not worth giving up this big step in his career. As I said, I don't know São Paulo well from personal experience, but people who live there/are from there, love it. They must have a reason to do so, so it can't be that bad....

I'm just so annoyed with my country lately that maybe it's coloring my feedback. Take it with a grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

My vote is for Sao Paolo as well. It's not as bad as everyone thinks and it will be a fun experience for your family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am from Brazil - Rio de Janeiro. Only have been to Sao Paulo once in my life but it is the biggest city in Brazil and its financial/economical capital. If I were you I WOULD NOT move.

Brazillians are great and welcoming and Brazil is a beautiful country. That said, the cost of living is VERY high and that might not be important to you because probably he is being offered a very high salary. The reason really I would not move there is the violence.

You will probably live in a high security closed condominium of houses or condos, have a driver and all that. But it is the kind of place you won't be able to let your child go to the movies alone, have to watch for stranger's car parked outside of you building, can't really walk outside at night, etc.

I am not sure if I am being able to convey really how violent it is. There are no terrorists or anything like that, but you just DO NOT FEEL SAFE and have to always being looking behind your back, being on your toes.

Aside that (if it is something you are somewhat used to or prepared to deal with) it is a great country and your daughter would have an amazing experience. The values are very different and I am sure she would have much more fun as a teen there than here.

I'm not OP, but I have a few questions if you don't mind.

Is it like that in just San Paulo? Or all Brazilian cities? My cousin is planning to move to Belo Horizonte (sp?) next month with her husband and I am hoping it's not as violent there. Have you been there?

If you don't mind, can you also talk more about the culture and childhood/teen experiences. My cousin's children are 6 and 10. How is it different there for children?

Pp here: I go to BH every year only because I have family there. I find it extremely boring. The zoo is better than here, there are some parks, but nothing like here. It is definitely not a cultural center, not many things to do with children. I go to the mall almost everyday because

1) it is safe

2) there is nothing else to do (I'm sure there is, I just haven't found yet)

BH is the capital of Mina's Gerais and there are no beaches in Mina's. the mentality is kind of provincial - lots of people are originally from very small cities whose parents sent them to BH to go to college and they ended staying. And most of those people's are farmers, cattle or agriculture. Very religious - I noticed this last time I went that there was an image of some saint in almost every business (to protect I guess), and almost all the good, traditional private schools have some sorte of connection with the Catholic Church - at least in name "Nossa Senhora de Lourdes" " st Arnald" etc....

It has the fame of being the city with the most number or bars per capita in the whole country, and the bars are always crowded. There is a very lively night life for the young, single and childless couple I guess. The food is great, but very rich and fattening.

The women there have wonderful legs because the city is made of hills - one after another. The traffic is like in any other big city, but not as bad as São Paulo or Rio, or even here.

It is violent as well, but also not as much as in Rio or São Paulo. But the things I said before about always being on your toes, watching your back, watching for strangers around your garage, etc, apply here.

For children: middle class and higher in Brazil live an insular life. It is a very consumist culture, so parents tend to over spoil their kids. Their children are not exposed to diversity, in schools, social clubs, and their environment in general. I find Brazillian children (there are exceptions of course) very ill behaved and plain, entitled little brats.

BH is home to cruzerio and atletico mineiro. I would move there just for the football.

If BH is good enough for Ronaldinho, it is good enough for me.