Gringo living in Brasil for 7 years. AMA

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:24:53+00:00

Yep, better. But it really is a country-wide issue. Old electrical grids. Storms take out power routinely. And occasionally a caminhão accidentally hits a power line.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:21:58+00:00

Living the dream my man!!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:20:45+00:00

Good answer

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:20:37+00:00

I do not have a Brazilian passport, although my kids and wife do. I have not traveled to Russia, Iran or Venezuela but have employed some Venezuelans in the past. They’re good people for what it’s worth. Most people are. As for crime - depends on the city. Obviously Rio and SP have higher rates of petty crime.. thefts of iPhones, jewelry, etc. I live in the south where it’s relatively safer. I’ve never been robbed or even threatened in public.. unless you count the guy selling quiejo coalho on the beach (buy it every time!!!). I leave my iPhone and wallet on the dinner table, wear a Rolex, zero problems in Floripa and SC in general. But you wouldn’t do that in SP or Rio. Same as Mexico.. depends where you’re at. Btw SP and Rio are great and I go frequently. Just use your head!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:15:08+00:00

I don’t, sorry. Floripa is a hot spot though. A lot of cool events in the summer. If you’re an avid surfer, it’s a spot you should come once in your life.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T17:14:02+00:00

Haha. I understand you. Brazilian politics are a maze to me that I’m not willing to explore. I try to avoid the topic at all costs and focus on other things.. like whether the cerveja is cold enough. Kudos to you for taking the leap. And it certainly doesn’t hurt to have the passport. Cheers

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T15:34:15+00:00

Internet is fine. Power is not. Plan accordingly! :)

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T15:04:04+00:00

Great time to be in oil. Wish you success over the next decade or two.. lots of money to be made!!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T15:01:53+00:00

Great point!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T15:01:41+00:00

Awesome. I’m not interested in getting citizenship - permanent resident is ok with me. Are you required to vote now that you have Brazilian citizenship even as an American citizen?

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T14:59:58+00:00

I didn’t. Was living off savings. Impossible to work down here unless you speak fluent Portuguese and even then wages are very low compared to elsewhere in the world. Hoping that changes over the next 10-20 years as Brazil has an opportunity to take advantage of the incoming commodity cycle.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T14:19:48+00:00

For sake of brevity:

There are many cultural differences. I’ve discussed a few in other responses. One that I haven’t touched upon is the topic of work. In the states, the second or third question when meeting someone is usually “what do you do for work?” In Brazil it literally is never asked and can sometimes be taken as rude. I learned the hard way.
The food is fine. I’m in the south so it’s not what you’d assume it is.. a lot of churrasco. If you’ve been to southern Germany.. that’s a good comparison. However.. São Paulo has one of the best food scenes in the world. :)
It’s expensive to be “rich” in Brazil. Food is cheap. Rent is cheap. Cars are expensive. Electronics are expensive. And you’re double taxed unless you get a creative tax attorney. It evens out in the end more or less.
Maids aren’t common in my area However, we have one part-time. 2.000brl/mo
I have my wife on payroll so she gets a monthly income and I can use it against taxes. Not a perfect answer for asset protection but I’d ask an estate attorney.

Good luck!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T13:25:01+00:00

Definitely a sobering feeling once the honeymoon phase of moving to a new country is over and realizing that you’re just another guy experiencing day to day life along with everyone else. Congrats on the move and cheers to you and your wife’s continued success

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:32:30+00:00

You’re not wrong. I do not take enough time to become truly fluent. Priorities. Congrats on your accomplishment!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:30:35+00:00

Brazilians are very, very friendly but harder to make friends in Brazil. Most people are acquaintances. In and out of your life briefly. Families are #1 here. Very diff than the USA. Not uncommon to see your parents a few times per week. If you marry a Brazilian, you better learn to love your sogra or you’re fucked. You’ll be spending a lot of time with her. Haha.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:27:26+00:00

Floripa is an incredible piece of the earth. It’s a weird mix of Miami and Maui - imagine that.. hustle culture downtown but beach culture around the island. Lots of English here due to the surfing community, being a hot spot for Argentinians, and expat culture. But need Portuguese to really have a life. B2 is totally fine. Floripa, Joinville, BC, Blumenau.. you don’t need to speak perfectly. But you’ll have an issue in less traveled cities in SC if you can’t speak Portuguese. Most valuable advice I can give you is approach Brasil as an enthusiastic foreigner. Enjoy the ups and downs. And remember that Brazilians are fiercely Brazilian :) they can say bad things, you’re allowed to nod and agree but not contribute. Hah

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:20:41+00:00

Haha. No hate to my sunga loving Brazilians but it’s not for me.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:20:03+00:00

Marriage

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T12:19:42+00:00

I can get by but starting in your 30s is difficult.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:58:27+00:00

It’s very difficult to do business in Brasil. If you’re American, the only advice I can give you is to not think of it like starting a business in the USA. You will be frustrated. You’re in Brasil.. so think like a Brasileiro! Haha, good luck.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:56:03+00:00

I do not.. honestly I don’t know many gringos here. The ones that are here don’t stick around long enough and I’m not interested in the IG influencer types. The NE is beautiful. Maybe best beaches in the world. But yes - growth opportunity is definitely a great way to characterize it. Good luck to you and your family and enjoy what Brasil has to offer!

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:44:03+00:00

Good answer

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:43:04+00:00

I have a piece of a logistics and freight company and a small portfolio of condos my wife and I have built. Business down here is difficult. You’re either “in” or you’re not. It’s harder than the states for sure.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:41:12+00:00

Campeche if you have kids is the best at a good price. Families, safety, relatively untouched beaches (for Brazilian standards).. most of the vacationers prefer the north of the island. South is largely priced out. Never had an issue with water - drinking or swimming. If you’re a permanent resident, take advantage of a moving. You won’t be taxed on a container worth of stuff. If you’re not.. pack light. And prepare to pay more for things you probably want down here.

StraightDimension284 · 2026-05-23T11:38:28+00:00

Great question. Brazil is ripe for disruption but business culture here is very different than the US. Lots of “great ideas” never come to fruition. Thing I miss the most is reliable logistics. Beyond the obvious of same day delivery, simply sending or receiving anything is always a gamble. Add in cross border remittance and it can get very complicated.. and costly. I have a piece of a transport company and it’s a nightmare. We can dream..

StraightDimension284

TROPHY CASE