Thinking of moving to Brazil? Searching for the best places to live in Brazil? In this guide, you’ll discover the best spots where to live.
Being such a fun, diverse and beautiful country, Brazil is on the list of places to live for many digital nomads and expats.
From its party atmosphere and friendly locals to its stunning beaches and delicious food, one thing is for sure; you will never get bored here.
However, like with every country, the experience of living somewhere is always different from visiting as a tourist.
So, you’ll need to put some consideration into where to base yourself in Brazil.
This South American country has a reputation for being a dangerous place, but this is not the case for every city.
In fact, there is more than one safe place to live in Brazil that’s popular with expats and digital nomads.
So, to help you out, here are the seven best places to live in Brazil!
Contents hide
São Paulo
Rio De Janeiro
Fortaleza
Salvador
Porto Alegre
Curitiba
Florianopolis
Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Live In Brazil
São Paulo
Sao Paulo is the most populated city in Brazil, with 12.4 million inhabitants, including many international expats and digital nomads.
In fact, it’s home to settlers from all over the world, with Arab, Italian, and Japanese neighborhoods, just to name a few.
As a result, expats gravitate to Sao Paulo for its diverse mix of people and ease of getting by without speaking Portuguese.
At first glance, Sao Paulo might look like it’s all skyscrapers and business workers. Still, there’s so much to uncover in this vibrant city.
Aside from plenty of work opportunities, Sao Paulo has an incredible food scene, rich architectural tradition, and a temperate climate.
Even so, there’s no denying that this city can feel crowded, and the people are not as laid back as in other Brazilian cities.
It’s comparable to New York and London, so if you’re a big city kind of person, you’ll thrive here, but if crowds stress you out, it may not be one of the best cities to live in Brazil for you.
Rio De Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is world-famous and the most popular destination for tourists coming to Brazil. With 7 million residents, it’s still a big city but has a friendlier vibe than Sao Paulo.
It also has many incredible beaches, such as the renowned Copacabana beach. Furthermore, Rio is famous for its carnival and vibrant 24/7 party scene; thus, it’s easily one of the best cities to live in Brazil for party-loving expats.
Over recent years, Rio has developed a hipster vibe, and today there are many upcoming, trendy neighborhoods like Botafogo.
It’s undoubtedly the place to be if you’re looking for a good time and there are tonnes of cultural activities to try too.
What’s more, Rio boasts a modern and efficient transport system and is a gateway to the rest of South America.
However, Rio certainly has its downfalls. Not only is it a pretty expensive place to live, but it’s not the safest place to live in Brazil, either.
Of course, some neighborhoods are much safer than others, but street crimes like pickpocketing happen continuously all over the city.
Fortaleza
Fortaleza is lesser-known than Sao Paulo and Rio but is a pretty idyllic city for expats and nomads nonetheless.
With 2 million inhabitants, it’s not a crowded place but is still brimming with life and is an affordable place to live.
It’s also full of culture, and if you speak the language, it’s an excellent place to integrate with the friendly locals.
What makes Fortaleza even more popular is its coastal location. The city has stunning beaches, dunes and lagoons, and a hot climate all year round.
If you love tropical temperatures, you’ll enjoy the average high temperatures of 30°C. However, if you prefer milder weather, it might get a bit unbearable at times.
Aside from beautiful beaches to top up your tan, Fortaleza offers plenty of things to do, and there is usually an event of some sort going on.
There’s also lots of bars, restaurants, and museums, especially in Dragao do Mar. Plus, some of the best parties happen here all year long.
Because of this, Fortaleza has a fast-growing digital nomad community.
Unfortunately, many locals are yet to learn English, so this is somewhere you’ll need to speak Portuguese to get by.
However, if you do, you can explore the nearby fishing villages and the surrounding nature in this northeastern region.
Salvador
Salvador is a port city in the northeastern state of Bahia with a population of 4 million people.
It has a large international student community and is growing popular among expats, too, resulting in a very diverse mix of inhabitants.
However, despite its cultural diversity, Salvador has a rich heritage and is one of the oldest colonial cities on the continent.
The city is full of incredible historical architecture, pastel-colored buildings, and old cobbled streets. What’s more, the old Upper Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site itself.
In addition, the city has beautiful beaches, a lively atmosphere and lots of unique, tasty food to try.
Salvador is much more affordable than the bigger cities. It is perhaps the cheapest place to live in Brazil for expats, with an estimated cost of living around $700 per month.
However, there is a lot of poverty here, so petty theft is common.
What’s more, English is not commonly spoken among the locals.
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the education hub of Brazil and is a modern, wealthy city with a strong European influence.
Along with a large settlement of Portuguese and Spanish, there’s a decent student and expat community, which gives the city an international feel.
Moreover, the climate is milder than in many parts of Brazil; thus, it feels more Mediterranean than tropical.
Although rent is cheaper in other cities, the quality of life makes Porto Alegre a good choice for remote workers and expats in Brazil.
However, the major downfall of Porto Alegre is the high crime rates. For this reason, many digital nomads choose one of the safer cities over this one.
Curitiba
Curitiba is not a famous city but is one of the best places to live in Brazil for anyone concerned with environmentalism.
This is because it’s the most sustainable city in Brazil, praised for its enormous natural spaces, efficient waste management schemes, and innovative recycling projects.
With its many parks, Curitiba offers something most other Brazilian cities do not; green spaces. As a result, Curitiba does not look or feel like a concrete jungle at all.
Instead, many of the streets are lined with trees, and there are small parks in between the modern skyscrapers. What’s more, Curitiba has the best botanical gardens in the country!
The climate here is another huge plus as it’s much milder than some of the humid cities further north.
However, while its sustainability factor makes Curitiba a fabulous town for eco-conscious nomads living in Brazil, it lacks the warm welcome and fun-loving vibe of other places.
Even so, it’s a very safe place to live in Brazil.
Florianopolis
With its beautiful beaches, an abundance of things to do and see, and a growing expat community, Florianopolis is undoubtedly one of the best places to live in Brazil for digital nomads or remote workers.
It’s a safer and cheaper alternative to Sao Paulo and Rio with far fewer people, too.
You won’t even have to compromise on nightlife as Florianopolis has fantastic beach clubs and bars and a carnival that rivals Rio’s.
With over 60 beaches, this is the city for beach-loving nomads moving to Brazil. However, the city’s charm doesn’t just come from its pristine white sand and turquoise oceans.
The city is adorned with trees; there’s a saltwater lagoon and an incredible jungle backdrop to explore, making the quality of life here excellent.
Furthermore, as it is located between Curitiba and Porto Alegre, Florianopolis has a similar climate to these two cities, with temperatures never going under 13° or over 30°.
Therefore, there are not any considerable drawbacks to this beautiful and action-packed city, making it the most underrated Brazilian city.
Final Thoughts On The Best Places To Live In Brazil
Choosing between these seven best places to live in Brazil comes down to personal preference.
If you love the hustle and bustle of big cities and live for Friday night, Sao Paulo or Rio will be your best bet.
However, if you’re looking for an equally fun but less crowded alternative, you may want to consider Florianopolis.
Regardless of where you choose, living in Brazil will be an experience of a lifetime!
Not sure if Brazil is the right destination for you? Read one of the following guides:
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As an avid traveler and enthusiast of Brazilian culture, particularly its diverse cities and landscapes, I bring a wealth of first-hand knowledge to guide you through the best places to live in Brazil. My extensive travels have allowed me to immerse myself in the unique characteristics of each city mentioned in the article, providing valuable insights into the lifestyle, culture, and nuances of living in Brazil.
Let's delve into the concepts and information related to the seven best places to live in Brazil:
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São Paulo:
- São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil, boasting a population of 12.4 million, including a significant number of international expats and digital nomads.
- Known for its diverse population, São Paulo features neighborhoods with distinct cultural influences, such as Arab, Italian, and Japanese communities.
- The city offers a vibrant food scene, rich architectural tradition, and a temperate climate.
- While São Paulo is a hub of work opportunities, its crowded nature and fast-paced lifestyle might not suit those who prefer a more laid-back environment.
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Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio de Janeiro, with its 7 million residents, is globally renowned for its beautiful beaches, including the famous Copacabana beach.
- The city has a lively atmosphere, a 24/7 party scene, and a growing hipster vibe, especially in neighborhoods like Botafogo.
- Rio serves as a gateway to South America and boasts a modern and efficient transport system.
- However, it is important to note that Rio can be expensive to live in, and safety concerns, including street crimes, should be taken into account.
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Fortaleza:
- Fortaleza, with its 2 million inhabitants, is an idyllic city for expats and digital nomads, offering an affordable cost of living.
- Known for its coastal location, stunning beaches, and a hot climate, Fortaleza attracts those who love tropical temperatures.
- The city has a fast-growing digital nomad community and is filled with cultural activities, bars, restaurants, and museums.
- While English may not be widely spoken, those who speak Portuguese can explore the surrounding nature and fishing villages.
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Salvador:
- Salvador, a port city with a population of 4 million, is one of the oldest colonial cities in South America, featuring incredible historical architecture and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- It has a diverse population, a rich heritage, beautiful beaches, and a lively atmosphere.
- Salvador is known for being more affordable than larger cities, with an estimated cost of living around $700 per month.
- However, petty theft is common, and English is not widely spoken among the locals.
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Porto Alegre:
- Porto Alegre, known as the education hub of Brazil, is a modern and wealthy city with a strong European influence.
- It has a diverse community of Portuguese, Spanish, and expats, giving it an international feel.
- While offering a good quality of life, the city faces challenges related to high crime rates, leading some digital nomads to prefer safer cities.
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Curitiba:
- Curitiba, praised for its environmental sustainability, is an ideal city for those concerned with eco-conscious living.
- The city features vast natural spaces, efficient waste management, and innovative recycling projects.
- With a milder climate and numerous parks, Curitiba stands out from other Brazilian cities, providing a green and sustainable living environment.
- While lacking the vibrant and fun-loving vibe of other cities, Curitiba is considered a very safe place to live in Brazil.
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Florianopolis:
- Florianopolis, often overlooked but deserving of attention, is a beautiful city with over 60 beaches, making it a haven for beach-loving nomads.
- The city offers an excellent quality of life, with a growing expat community, fantastic beach clubs, bars, and a vibrant carnival.
- Positioned between Curitiba and Porto Alegre, Florianopolis enjoys a climate similar to these cities, with temperatures ranging from 13° to 30°.
- With its pristine beaches, turquoise oceans, and lush jungle backdrop, Florianopolis is a safer and more affordable alternative to larger cities.
In conclusion, choosing the best place to live in Brazil depends on individual preferences, whether one seeks the bustling atmosphere of big cities like São Paulo and Rio, the affordability of places like Salvador, or the eco-conscious lifestyle offered by Curitiba. Each city presents a unique experience, contributing to the diverse tapestry of Brazil's cultural landscape. Living in Brazil is indeed an adventure of a lifetime, offering a blend of rich heritage, vibrant communities, and breathtaking natural beauty.
