Relocation to Santos, Sao Paulo -- Need advice

Last activity 08 July 2011 by V.G

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josericMember13 May 2011 20:00:31

Hello -

I've recently been asked by my current employer to temporarily relocate to Santos, Sao Paulo to work near the Port of Santos for 6 months later this year. I've never been there -- and I have a lot of questions of which they cannot answer about life, cost, etc. I'm a single male, and will be taking no wife/children with me. I'm hoping some of you can help I'm relocating from the US.

Income -- I will be offered 7500USD / month during my stay. This is in addition to all travel, transportation, housing and food costs provided, see below. Is this sufficient to lead a comfortable lifestyle?

Housing -- They are offering a housing allowance of BRL 4,000 per month. Is this adequate for a nice, safe apartment near the port? Would this cover a "luxury" apartment?

Food -- They are offering a food allowance of BRL 80 per day. Assuming I'm eating out 2 meals a day, will this adequately cover expenses. My diet consists of a lot of meat

Internet -- Fast, broadband, internet. Is this available in this area and at what speeds? What will this cost?

Cigarettes -- How much do these cost? A weird question, I know ... but in the US they're super expensive and often serve as a good barometer of cost of living in a given area.

Any help would be greatly appreciated .. as I have an opportunity to negotiate the contract.

slyfitnessMember14 May 2011 14:55:25

Hi there !!

i am from england and i am going to live in santos in afew months with my brazilian girlfriend. i have a good idea of how it is there as my girlfriends family lives there. With that type of money you will live VERY VERY well there.

INCOME - that is surely enough to live there very well, a friend of mine advised me not to show off money to much as there is poverty in some areas

HOUSING - you can have a pretty good place for about 500 dollars a month so you will a REALLY good place

FOOD - i would not think this would be a problem with the amount your being paid

INTERNET - my girlfriends family has a pretty good internet connection but it seems alittle slower than my english. the speeds of which am not sure

CIGARETTES - maybe about 3 dollers or less

My advice for you would be squeeze alittle more from your employer but in general you will live VERY VERY well there. Santos for me seems to be the safer and nicer area of sao paulo. with much less traffic and alot less pollution. however my girlfriend has told me that some areas have poverty and you need to take alittle care with showing money, phones ect.

i hope this helps you out..

V.GMember08 July 2011 23:46:56

Hi Joseric,

I've been living right "next door" to Santos for over a year now. I think you will do well with that amount of money. Of course, it depends on your lifestyle standard.

Santos is a small city, so "near the port" can be in a completaly different area than the port. I'm not so sure if the port, down-town area of Santos is the safest place to live for a foreign. Check places like Gonzaga or Ponta da Praia. These are better-standard areas, safer and still very near the port by car or public transport.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me for more info if you need it.

Regards,

V.

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