Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 8/12/2008

Question
In general, what would a 2 bedroom condo or apt in a secure building/complex rent for? I'd really like a pool and fitness room. Needs to be in commuting distance to Santo Amaro area but needs to be in a nice, safe neighborhood within walking distance to grocery stores/other shopping. Would prefer to live where there are other Americans because my husband and I don't speak Portuguese (yet!)

Answer
Santo Amaro is not a very nice neighborhood so wherever you are, you will have to commute if that is where someone is working. Brooklin is nice and so is Vila Olimpia in that area. Thats about as close as you will get with good 'hoods. But it is not an expat town. There will be some expats living there, definitely, but the expat towns are really Alphaville, which is hours from Santo Amaro and cost millions.  

Look into Brooklin and Novo Brooklin. Figure rent and condo fee will cost you at least R$2,500 combined. Then ther eis the real estate tax fee that acould cost you another R$100 at most.

Good luck.

Ken