Questions about Rio

[Bluechester]

Hi, I want to get some info on Rio de Janeiro from a person who has been there or even better lives there. Reading about the city on websites and watching tv shows about it you can only learn so much. I've have had a fascination with the city since I was little, and it's very beautiful from what I've seen and I've always wanted to go. I have never been but I have been planning to go sometime in the near future, hopefully I can learn a bit of Portuguese before I go. But anyways I want to get some info. Now my main concern is the crime I hear about and yes I know there's crime in every big city and yes I have read about the cities problem and how it's mostly drug related and in the favelas and is usually blown outta proportion by the media. But I'am a little concerned, I know the precautions to take and all that, But my point is I really don't wanna spend hard earned money to go there to have a awesome time (assuming I would) watch some football and relax, but not feel safe all the time. Is it really that bad? Could I get some pointers please. But trust me I've heard alot more nice things about the city and it's citizens:)

also what are prices like for a nice apartment in a nice area? just curious

sorry about the long post

[Joelzinho]

Not Brasilian, I have never personally been to Rio either, but my Uncle has been numerous times and has stated that he is going to buy a Condo about 2 blocks away from the beach front for about 60 000 US.

[Bluechester]

Not Brasilian, I have never personally been to Rio either, but my Uncle has been numerous times and has stated that he is going to buy a Condo about 2 blocks away from the beach front for about 60 000 US.

I am also thinking about going to Porto Alegre. I heard it's a little more safe, not as much to do compared to Rio but I can still go and watch Gremio;) and I am sure there's lots of interesting stuff there

[thetaylor310]

Hi, I want to get some info on Rio de Janeiro from a person who has been there or even better lives there. Reading about the city on websites and watching tv shows about it you can only learn so much. I've have had a fascination with the city since I was little, and it's very beautiful from what I've seen and I've always wanted to go. I have never been but I have been planning to go sometime in the near future, hopefully I can learn a bit of Portuguese before I go. But anyways I want to get some info. Now my main concern is the crime I hear about and yes I know there's crime in every big city and yes I have read about the cities problem and how it's mostly drug related and in the favelas and is usually blown outta proportion by the media. But I'am a little concerned, I know the precautions to take and all that, But my point is I really don't wanna spend hard earned money to go there to have a awesome time (assuming I would) watch some football and relax, but not feel safe all the time. Is it really that bad? Could I get some pointers please. But trust me I've heard alot more nice things about the city and it's citizens:)

also what are prices like for a nice apartment in a nice area? just curious

sorry about the long post

i have a friend who lives in the City of Rio de Janeiro, but she happens to live in the nicer neighbourhood of Barra da Tijuca, where new construction projects are going on... and that also happens to be the site of the many venue sites of the Rio 2007 games. Judging from her descriptions, it seems like as long as you live towards the coast (the more richer parts of Rio), it won't be such a problem. Barra da Tijuca is located in the western portion of the city limits; the famous beaches like Copacabana and Ipanema are towards the centre...

Sure, the news media does portray Rio as a dangerous city (and it isn't too far-fetched), but so is Los Angeles!

My BIG suggestion to you is that you do learn a substantial amount of Portuguese before dedicing to live anywhere in Brasil. Not every single Brasilian is out there to hussle you, but there are those shady ones in the bunch who will try to exploit anyone. Foreigners are perfect targets, since they can't speak/understand the language. Trying to blend in will probably lessen your chances of being singled out for wrong attention. Since it is Rio, there will probably be people there who will be able to help you get by

Where is Sidis??? haha... he lives in Rio... he'll probably be a good tipster of all things "cidade maravilhosa" (the marvellous city)

[thetaylor310]

I am also thinking about going to Porto Alegre. I heard it's a little more safe, not as much to do compared to Rio but I can still go and watch Gremio;) and I am sure there's lots of interesting stuff there

Personally, i would recommend living in the southern Brasilian states myself! Rio Grande do Sul (where Porto Alegre is), Santa Catarina (with the famous city of Florianópolis as its capital) and Paraná (where i lived for a bit) have better living standards and are considered more safer in Brasil

Another plus side to Rio Grande do Sul: the home of churrasco! (Brasilian "bbq"). And, according to our friend SoccerScout, the home of the world champs Inter ;)

[V_Park]

My BIG suggestion to you is that you do learn a substantial amount of Portuguese before dedicing to live anywhere in Brasil. Not every single Brasilian is out there to hussle you, but there are those shady ones in the bunch who will try to exploit anyone. Foreigners are perfect targets, since they can't speak/understand the language. Trying to blend in will probably lessen your chances of being singled out for wrong attention. Since it is Rio, there will probably be people there who will be able to help you get by

haha. This reminds me: when my cousin travelled to Brasil, I taught some portuguese to him.
"Can you lend me some money?" = Eu sou gay
"What is your name?" = Ei gostosa!

I know I'm going to hell.:p
Anyways... Don't do those things to a foreigner. One day you will be foreigner too;).

[thetaylor310]

haha. This reminds me: when my cousin travelled to Brasil, I taught some portuguese to him.
"Can you lend me some money?" = Eu sou gay
"What is your name?" = Ei gostosa!

I know I'm going to hell.:p
Anyways... Don't do those things to a foreigner. One day you will be foreigner too;).

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
você é demais cara! os estrangeiros precisam aprender português por causa das pessoas como vc ;)

Yeah... those are the bigger reasons why you'd want to learn Portuguese before arriving in Brasil; there's tons of jokers like V_Park here who wanna have fun with foreigners haha

[SoccerScout]

I am also thinking about going to Porto Alegre. I heard it's a little more safe, not as much to do compared to Rio but I can still go and watch Gremio;) and I am sure there's lots of interesting stuff there

Gremio?? Dont waste you money...go see INTER the World Champs :)

Porto Alegre is a nice city, probably safer than Rio and SP...but not by much...unfortunetly anywhere in Brazil these days you have to watch your back , watch where you go...especially at night. But I know people in Brazil that live there all their lives and never had a problem...but I know others that have had occasional problems.