[caption id="attachment_7657" align="alignnone" width="640"]Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro / source[/caption] Although Buenos Aires, Argentina, was once the primary South American location for American and European expats, it faces a new competitor with the rise of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a top spot for relocation. This is not in any way due to a change in what outsiders think of Buenos Aires. Instead, it is because Brazil has been experiencing a national makeover and has become an international celebrity in the last few years. Let’s see how this happened! Economic growth – While many countries have fallen prey to the global economic recession, Brazil has not only weathered the storm but has proven itself to be an economic powerhouse. With the sixth-largest GDP and seventh-largest buying power in the world, Brazil has become one of the most fertile countries in the world to open a business. Furthermore, not only has it become an economic stronghold but it has also reinvested in its infrastructure and has vastly improved its roads, schools and local communities. Finally, Brazil has invested in a startling project of decriminalization. International Stage – Coupled with this accelerated economic growth is an increase in its presence and reputation on the world stage. In its foreign policy, the country has shown itself to be proficient in diplomatic strategy and has become in many ways a world leader, which can be seen in its appearance on various news outlets. Even more so, the decision to hold both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics has placed it at the very center of the sporting world, thereby facilitating a sharp increase in both tourism and, as a result, immigration. [caption id="attachment_7658" align="alignnone" width="640"] / source[/caption] Popular Media Representation – For decades Brazil has maintained a wide variety of possible scenarios in the European and American minds. From films to pictures and from pictures to songs, the outsider’s perspective of Brazil is a conflicted one. It combines the verdant greens and aqua blues of a tribal Amazon with a congested urban landscape, in which the dull colors of bland buildings collide with the vibrant colors of football jerseys. However, it is a joyous and sometimes rebellious celebration that pervades these images. Michael Jackson’s 1996 They Don’t Really Care About Us shows a Rio with a stark separation between a poor, local people and a despotic police force, and yet it also speaks of a city in which community, solidarity and true happiness can ultimately be found. Even more so, the film Rio teaches children that happiness is not found in American cities but in the forests and culture of its titular country. Promoting immigration – Perhaps one of the greatest reasons for the influx of expatriates into Brazil, and Rio de Janeiro in particular, is the governments’ active promotion of immigration. Although the visa process remains somewhat slow, officials claim that they want to welcome up to six million foreign workers onto home soil. Indeed, immigration laws are beginning to relax with Brazil entering talks with eight countries, including Albania and Macedonia, over the wavering of entrance visas. Rio de Janeiro vs São Paulo – Brazil as a whole may be finding increasing popularity as an expat destination but why are increasing numbers of expats coming to Rio de Janeiro rather than São Paulo? Although it may come down to personal preference, whether you’re looking for a more industrious city like São Paulo or a slightly more relaxing atmosphere like Rio, every well researched tourist/expat can tell you, Rio just is more appealing. Here are some of the reasons why:
  • The weather is better with less rainy days and a higher temperature throughout the year.
  • The cost of living is comparable but the mortgage interest is lower.
  • The population density is almost half.
  • There are more places to visit and a diverse range of sceneries are closer. For example, Ilha Grande, an island famous for providing a natural habitat for many of the world’s most endangered species and containing some of what is left of Brazil’s Atlantic rainforest, is only two hours from the cities coast.
  • And finally, and probably most importantly, Rio will be the city hosting the 2016 Olympics!
[caption id="attachment_7659" align="alignnone" width="640"] / source[/caption] Article written by Sam Malone on behalf of Internations.