Living in Natal?

I recommend you spend some time there before you decide to move and then decide.  I was there once for several days and was not impressed.  I had high expectations after hearing Brazilians talk about Natal but was disappointed.  Nothing stood out to me.  The best part of that trip was a daytrip to Pipa beach.  The roads were terrible driving there but the beach was much nicer then in Natal in my opinion.

06/25/24 Welcome, Brendan!  @Droplover's advice is very good:  spend some time there before you make a final decision, unless you already have, and/or have family or other reasons for putting down in Natal right away.

There are several of us here who have chosen to live in the Northeast and are happy with the choice, and even (including me) who moved to other regions and are hoping to get back to the Northeast someday.  However, most live or have lived in nearby states, not Rio Grande do Norte.  I've  only been to Natal once.  I liked it, but that was years ago; I don't have a current take for you, and don't want to speculate. 

I hope that someone who lives in RN or has lived there recently responds.  In any case, please let us know your impressions when you get there.

Good to know. Except for my long-delayed YouTube Channel the only thing left on my Bucket List is my Yellow with Black Trim Super Buggy. They are headquartered in Natal. Unless they deliver (Northeast) I will have to go there to get it. Is Natal good for just one night?

Roddie in Retirement

@bcummins

I visited Natal a few years ago. My impressions: a  newer city, Pontal Negra is a very nice beach, I liked Sao Miguel do Gostoso to my surprise, I didn't make it to Pipa unfortunately.

A friend showed me much of the city. I didn’t see a neighborhood that seemed to fit my unusual tastes, but I didn't see everything.

Alan

@bcummins

I agree with @alan279 - Ponte Negra is much nicer than the rest of Natal, and Sao Miguel de Gostoso has grown from a basic beach to a big surfers attraction over the past 10 years, since I first visited. Much prefer Pipa though... well worth a visit.

A little further south Joao Pessoa is a very nice town, with some expats, and beyond that you have the island of Itamaracá where I live. I would not consider Recife, but beyond that there are some more nice places - if you are not stuck on Natal.

@roddiesho  Superbuggy, yellow with black trim? 👍👍

Alan

@bcummins

We just bought a house in Buzios Beach, about 25 mins south of Natal. The area has beautiful beaches and is very quiet during the week, a little less so at weekends. Right now we are splitting out time between the US and Brazil (still working on some visa issues) but eventually plan on spending 6 months or more down there.

Natal itself can be "iffy', some good areas, some bad, like most cities. .  Ponta Negra is easily the best part. Some great restaurants and hotels. Try the Hotel Vogel if you want great place to stay there.

The real estate in Ponta Negra  expensive for what you can get compare to Buzios, however. 350k Rs gets a small 1 bedroom condo in PN v a 4 bedroom house with pool,  large yard and ocean view, 300  yards from the beach in Buzios.

@rlane l also like Buzios