I have been in Belo Horizonte for seven months. Big city, wonderful people, great weather, but few opportunities.
My Brazilian wife and I along with our six month old son decided to come here guided by the great publicity about the countless opportunities in the South American giant. However, after seven months I am still waiting for all the promises from companies I applied to and “friends” who promised to recommend us within their professional network. The most I got was English teacher after five interviews in a language school. I have a master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, but I was willing to work in other areas, hotels, English teacher, whatever.
Don’t make me wrong, I like very much this country, but I can’t afford to be here spending a lot of money in exchange waiting for ever to get a job and dealing with this complicated life style..
I must respect all of you who defend the Brazilian life style. I am anyway a foreigner and I don’t belong to here. But although I hate comparing, let me tell you my personal view of this city and country.
THINGS I LOVE
Our apartment is great, big and new, it has elevator, two parking spots (although we can’t afford to buy a car), we have space for washing machine… etc, all for a rent of $1500R. Apartments in New York City are old and very expensive.
The medical insurance: It is affordable, we pay $450R per month for three people, and we don’t have to worry about surprise bills which is usual in the US.
People: all are friendly and open to talk, especially when you have a foreigner accent, Brazilians get even more friendly.
THINGS I HATE
There are not parks or public recreation available, especially for kids.
There are not sidewalks to walk with strollers, so I am on the drivers’ mercy when I push my baby’s stroller.
The lack of respect, morals, education and ethics from a lot of people (not all of them).
Bureaucracy. This country is sinking in all paper work, legal procedures, high fees, requirements, corruption and large amount of taxes. It took me a month just to open a bank account, and forget about renting an apt, we had to sign like 10 papers in cartorio, find fiadores, install showers, plafons and toilet seats. The tenant also pays condo and the apt taxes wich in the US are the owner’s responsibility.
Expensive life: there are few things that are cheaper than in the US, but most of it is expensive such as clothes, food, transportation, banking fees, internet, CELL PHONES plans, cars, gasoline, dish soap, appliances, toys, diapers, car rental and housing (extremely expensive for purchase).
Driving and Drivers: Getting a Brazilian Drivers License is the most difficult procedure due the rigid requirements that DETRAN asks for. However driving in Brazil is the most dangerous experience I’ve ever seen, no one respects signs, speed limits, pedestrians, and other drivers. It seems to me that everyone wants to show off so, the fastest you drive the better you become.
Noise: I thought that moving to our current apt would alleviate the loud cars during the night. The thing is we didn’t notice there is a car sound shop on the back of our building, so they test speakers sometimes until 10pm on Saturdays. We have called several times to the office responsible for noise control, but of course the legal system here doesn’t work so after so many calls, a fiscal came and gave them a ticket but they’re still making noise. Also during day and night cars with propaganda and noisy drivers showing off, turn up their music making difficult to sleep.
Also it’s normal that neighbors throw parties until the next day with loud music. If you complaint you become that neighbor target.
Public transportation: it is not the best but it works. It takes about 1.5 hour to go to the center due to permanent traffic.
Customer service: probably the worst in the world. Companies, shops, and government public service makes life horrible. Usually there is not guarantee after you buy something so if it’s broken, good luck. Companies care more about making a penny out of you rather building good reputation.
Lack of competition: say in Cellphones plans, I got to know that there are three or four fat magnates who control this industry, even they have several companies, their plans are pretty much the same making it super expensive.
Safety: although we haven’t been robbed yet, our neighbors’ apts have been burglarized at least once. This neighborhood is supposed to be safe, however the bakery on the corner have been assaulted twice this year. Years ago when my wife used to live here, she used to be robbed very frequent by kids. In certain areas in this city pick-pocketing is still normal. We can’t go out for a walk after 8pm.
I know some of you may get upset for my comments but this is my personal view. I am returning to NY, I already got my job back, we found a nice apt for rent, the most important thing is we will feel safe and backed up by the American system, I feel the money I pay in taxes goes at least most of it to support school system, public areas, public hospitals and public safety (the 911 system here doesn’t work, police doesn’t even know the addresses well, and I got to know that the city only has eight ambulances to serve the city).
Thanks for your comments
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