| Home | Message Board | Classified Ads | Links | Articles | Back Issues | Membership | Privacy Policy |
BRAZIL
- ALMOST PARADISE
By Ruth
Halcomb |
|||
|
Brazil is an enormous country, the fifth largest in the world, taking up over half the land mass of South America. It has 19 cities with over 1 million in population. The majority of Brazilians live near the coast, leaving much of the country sparsely uninhabited. Brazil has Indians who have never been in contact with the outside world. It also has the world's largest wetlands and the most diverse ecosystem. Brazil is rich in natural resources, yet has an enormous national debt. It has glamor and opulence but also dire poverty. Despite a cumbersome bureaucracy, Brazilians have found innovative solutions to some of the country's problems. After severe economic problems, Brazil is making a comeback. It is a certainly a country to watch. What's best about Brazil: the Brazilians. Their love of life and their ability to enjoy the here and now, talking, sharing good food, creating and listening to music, dancing and walking on the beach. They have more fun, and they want you to have fun with them. Brazilians are extremely warm and outgoing. Upon meeting, men shake hands while women touch cheeks and kiss the air to greet each other and to say goodbye, They touch a lot, too, and stand closer to each other than North Americans. Don't be surprised if they reveal personal details about themselves and expect you to do the same. Be careful of controversial topics; Brazilians don't relish argument for argument's sake. Their hospitality is boundless. Tell them what you wish for and they'll arrange it. Admire something and they may give it to you. They love to give presents. When buying gifts for them, avoid things that are black or purple, the colors of mourning. Flowers, candy or champagne would be appropriate to give to a host; also bring something for the children. The main meal of the day is at about 1:00 PM. The evening meal begins at 9:00 or 10:00 PM or even later, and may also have several courses. Brazilians throw a party at the slightest excuse. A social event might start at midnight, and go on until the wee hours of the morning even during the work week. How do Brazilians manage? For one thing, there's the coffee. In any interaction with Brazilians their sense of time becomes apparent. They live in the present, and don't take schedules very seriously. They'll get to the airport early to allow for farewells and contingencies. Contingencies are a way of life. They may put off decisions until the last minute (who knows what may happen in the meantime?) and can easily change plans; they're masters of rapid decision-making. They're also masters of the jeito, which means the "way around" or the "quick fix." Brazil has a whole class of professionals or despachantes who can dar um jeito or find a solution for others who lack the time or know-how. The jeito often provides a way of cutting through the bureaucracy. When the mayor of Curitiba decided to turn the main thoroughfare of the city into a pedestrian mall, he knew if the process dragged out over several weeks, objections would arise. So he called on all civil servants to work over a single weekend, erecting barricades and planters. By Monday morning the pedestrian mall was finished, and traffic was diverted to other streets. Brazilians can trace their ancestry not only to Portugal, but to various other countries. Sao Paulo has the largest settlement of Japanese people outside of Japan. A great many people in Brazil have some African ancestry. Even so, some discrimination exists. No matter where theirs ancestors came from, however, they see themselves first and foremost as Brazilians. Family is of primary importance, even more so than in most other Latin American countries. On the other hand, machismo is not strong as with their Spanish speaking neighbors. They genuinely like the people and the customs of the U.S. Their ad copy, signs and billboards are sprinkled with English words. Brazilians who can afford it take their children to Disney World in Florida. Old style hierarchies still exist, and breaking the chain of hierarchy is disrespectful. Brazilians operate through personal connections, and they want to know the individuals they're dealing with. Typical "cut to the chase" attitudes won't work. Expect negotiations to cover many details, which will take time. Foreigners may need to hire a Brazilian contact or despechante. If you need an accountant or attorney, find one locally. People may be suspicious of outside experts. Brazilians don't have siestas (and chuckle at their neighbors who do), but they may take two hour lunches. At a business lunch, wait until coffee is served before bringing up business matters. Titles such as Senhor and Senhora are used to address business acquaintances. Often people may ask you to call them by their first names. Business attire, and dress in general, varies. When in doubt, dress conservatively. |
|||
| |
|||
|
A city of almost 20 million, it is an enormous, sprawling place with a tangle of streets that confuses even the local people. The question expats need to ask, when considering a job here is, how long is the commute? There are subways, buses and even helicopter taxis, but most people drive cars and pollution is noticeable. Traffic is bumper to bumper, but not start and stop; it moves. Cars all travel at about the same speed, gracefully changing lanes and missing each other by inches in a way that seems choreographed. Most drivers listen to music, and even if it's not the same music, their cars all seemingly move to the same relaxed rhythm. Sao Paulo is very cosmopolitan. Paulistas here look at those from other parts of Brazil, even Rio, as country cousins. Ethnic restaurants, musical and theatrical productions, fine shopping, bargain hunting -- it's all here. The city has 70 museums, many parks and over 200 cinemas. Books in English are sold at Agencia Siciliano, Av. Brig. Faria Lina, 1191: Book Centre rua Gabus Mendes 29, near Praca da Republica; Litec Livros Tecnicos, Rua Timbiras 257 and Libraria Cultura at Avenida Paulista 2073. Many expats live in the zona sul, or southern part of the city. The Jardims is a popular and convenient area, with good shopping, galleries and restaurants. Higienopolis and Morumbi offer both luxury apartments and single-family houses. Alphaville and Tambore, about 20 km west of the city, have American-style communities, but the commute is long and stressful. Rooms are typically smaller than in the U.S., and space is used efficiently. New houses may not be equipped with light fixtures or appliances. Kitchens are modest (they're the maid's domain) while bathrooms often have nice tile and even marble. Children's bedrooms and guest rooms may have their own private baths. Stores sell large pieces of furniture that look like built-ins and take the place of chests and dressers. Central air conditioning is rarely available, and usually isn't necessary. Expect to pay one month's rent in advance, plus another month's rent as a security deposit. Note: Renters also pay property taxes, utilities, and, in condominiums or apartments, share a common expense fee that covers the maintenance of the lobby, elevators and garbage disposal. Find out how much such fees are likely to be. Leases run from two to three years and normally provide for an annual rent increases. Leases are signed by a guarantor in addition to the property owner and tenant. One's employer can act as guarantor. |
|
||
People say Rio used to be much nicer, but it is still spectacular with its hills that thrust almost straight up from the water, its beaches and high-rises. It's a crowded city, with 7 million Cariocas, and about a third live in the favelas that cover many of the hillsides. Rio epitomizes the Brazilian lust for life. A mecca for tourists, it's not a bad place to work either. Public transportation is efficient, and traffic keeps moving although pockets of pollution exist. Also, summer weather is hot and humid. You'll find books in English at Livraria Leonardo da Vinci in Edificio Marques do Herval open weekdays and until noon on Saturday. Also Livraria Siciliana, a chain with several branches. Some of the bookstores in Ipanema also have cafes. Most middle class housing is in the zona sul, which is separated from the zona norte by the mountains called Serra da Carioca. Ipanema and Leblon and the Avenida Oswaldo Cruz area of Flamengo are among the desirable areas. Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, is a planned, easy-to-navigate city, Brazil's third largest, with a population of 2.2 million. Not a tourist destination, but travelers go through it on the way to the colonial city, Ouro Preto. Asked where he would live in Brazil if given the choice, Doug Trent of Focus Tours, replied, "In a heartbeat...Belo Horizonte." Cooler than Rio, it has brief rainstorms daily from October to February. The capital of Parana, Curitiba, was settled by immigrants from Italy, Germany and Poland. A planned city of 1.5 million, it is one of a few places where Brazilians have been persuaded to abandon their cars for public transportation. Buses holding up to 400 passengers stop at specially built mini-stations where passengers pay their fare before boarding. Much of the city is taken up with parks. Roger Gallo praises Curitiba in his book, Escape from America. (See http://www.escapeartist.com) When I asked Brazilians where they'd most like to live, most named Florianopolis, which is where many Brazilians and other South Americans vacation. The capital of Santa Catarina with a population of under 300,000, it is known for its low crime rate and its many extraordinary beaches. The city has two parts, one on Santa Catarina Island and one on the mainland, connected by two bridges, one of which is the longest suspension bridge in Brazil. The island part is the oldest and is the part many people prefer. In the mainland part of the city, some districts have retained the look and feel of countryside villages with handcrafts and folkloric festivals. he beaches are beautiful, and it's easy to get around on foot or by bus. Housing, which ranges from beachfront high-rises to colonial houses on tree-lined streets, is considerably cheaper than in Rio. The climate is subtropical, with most of the rain in the summer, that is, in December and January. Fortaleza, the capital of the state of Ceara, is a top tourist attraction for native Brazilians. Brazil’s fifth largest city, it has over 2 million inhabitants. It boasts cathedrals, museums, cultural festivals, a university and an exuberant nightlife. Boulevard Beira Mar is often compared to Rio’s Copacabana. As in other large Brazilian cities, many people live in high rises. However, on the city’s old narrow streets, one finds homes of brick, wood and stucco. Because of the climate, many of which have no glass in the windows, just shutters. Near the Equator in the northeast of the country, it has consistent temperatures of around 80 degrees, with night slightly cooler. The sun shines 350 days a year. The relatively dry air and ocean breezes make it an ideal climate and keep insects to a minimum. The state of Ceara has some 300 miles of beaches, considered to be among the most pristine in the world. Oceanfront property is still available at reasonable prices. |
 |
||
Dwellings are a mix of modern buildings with historic ones from colonial times. The third oldest city in Brazil, it was founded in 1585 and has a rich architectural heritage including the beautiful baroque structures, such as the church São Francisco and the convent Santo Antonio, dating back to the 17th century. It has a wealth of museums and cultural institutions as well as abundant nightlife and excellent restaurants. It is also known for local crafts, especially in clay. The climate is tropical and semi-arid. With many green areas, natural forests and parks, it has been called the greenest city in South America. It also boasts the Ponta do Seixas, the most easterly point of South America, which can be seen from the Cabo Branco Lighthouse. Richard Conti writes, “Such a safe, welcoming , relaxing place.... It was all I wanted and hoped Boca Raton would be but never was... I found it paradise, a place a person could live like a king for so much less.... “ In fact, we loved it so much we are planning on constructing a private community there for ourselves and our friends both American and Brazilian alike. We will call it Vila dos Amigos - Village of Friends, on the beach, of course!” For Richard Conti’s article, see, http://www.gringoes.com/articles.asp?ID_Noticia=943 The Brazilian capital was designed in the shape of an airplane, with north and south wings. The city is divided into sections for housing, schools business, government offices, malls and entertainment, and churches. Although some single family homes are available, most of the population lives in large groupings of concrete apartment buildings set above the ground on stilts. It is not a pedestrian friendly city, public transportation is less than adequate and navigating by automobile can be a challenge. The climate is pleasant and the air is clean. The pace is less frenetic and crime is less of a problem than in the larger cities. Local and international schools are excellent. U.S. farmers increasingly see Brazil as a land of opportunity. More than 200 American farmers, including a Mennonite colony, now own farms in Brazil and more are on the way. One Iowa farmer purchased more than 7,000 acres here as a way to bring his son into the family farm operation. Some have sold farmland in the U.S. Midwest to buy acreage in Brazil. Investment pools are being set up for farmers who see opportunity in Brazil, but who don't have enough capital to invest on their own. Crop-ready land in Brazil is available for $400 to $500 an acre as compared to $2,400 to $4,000 in the U.S. About 120 million acres have been cleared for crop production and pastures and another 200 million acres are in reserve. Production costs in Brazil are also lower, and the tropical climate supports two crops a year. The Brazilian government is committed to agriculture as a vehicle for economic growth, and there are few restrictions on foreign ownership of land. Brazilian officials have visited the U.S. to talk with Americans considering farming. Find Your Own Brazilian Paradise Brazil also has many, many smaller cities and towns. Beach or green hills, tropical or temperate, Brazil has it all. What's more, the country's political problems are mild compared to those in other Latin countries. What's more, things are usually settled peacefully here. As a tour guide put it, "Brazilians are lovers, not fighters."
|
 |
||
And this DVD For additional resources for Brazil, see Network for Living Abroad newsletter, January 2000 and October 2001. To order, see Back Issues. Also see
|
|||
WAYS
TO OBTAIN A PERMANENT VISA
Immigration visas to Brazil are granted only to applicants who satisfy the requirements of the Brazilian National Immigration Council or the Ministry of Labor. Brazil also has special programs for retired persons and for resident investors. Retirees Proof of income must include either a statement from the foreign agency responsible for paying the retirement pension or a bank declaration authorizing monthly transfer of at least US$ 2,000. Resident
Investor Status You can choose your own investment. Examples of a business could be a fish farm, which is a growing industry in Brazil or a rental apartment or other real estate. Profit in real estate here has averaged about 10% annually and in beach areas, 15% or more. A number of Americans have chosen to buy farms in Brazil. The property is registered in your name. Those who want to become citizens of Brazil may establish a company, but simply leave the funds in a Brazilian bank account in the company name. This account can be used for establishing a business or can simply be earning interest if, at the end of four years, you intent to apply for citizenship. No personal appearance in Brazil is required for fast-track processing, which can be completed in 45 to 60 days. You can pick up the Permanent Visa at the Brazilian embassy or consulate in your home country and enter Brazil as a Resident Investor. Unlike earlier Brazilian residency programs, this program offers residency anywhere in Brazil. You are not required to remain in Brazil during your residency; you can visit for only a few days every two years. This kind of
permanent visa is issued conditionally for five years. Before this period
ends, you must show proof to the Federal Police that you have hired 10
Brazilian citizens so that the visa can be re-validated. A Resident Investor
has most of the rights of a Brazilian citizen except political rights;
you cannot vote or get politically involved. In addition to Retirees and Resident Investors, there are five other ways a foreigner can obtain a permanent residence visa to Brazil. These include inter-company transfers of executives and executives of startup companies that have been in business outside of Brazil for at least five years and researchers. High-level specialists who have distinguished backgrounds and who qualify for positions in Brazil may also be eligible. The spouse of a Brazilian citizens and the parent of a child who is a Brazilian citizen are also eligible for permanent residency. Note: Brazilian citizenship and passport are available after only one year of marriage to a Brazilian citizen. For more information, see http://www.bionexus.biz/ Dr. Márcio Alexandre Carvalho can be contacted at immigration@bionexus.biz |
|||
| Home | Message Board | Classified Ads | Links | Articles | Back Issues | Membership | Privacy Policy |
|
|||
