Expert: Ken Rapoza Cruz - 3/19/2010

Question
Hi, I might have a job opportunity in Salvador Bahía (an internship) they will pay me $R 1100 (US$ 600) I will be provided with lunch at my office Monday to Friday. Is this salary enough to live in Salvador? to rent a room, eat and pay for transportation? and maby save for travelling?

I also want to know a little bit about de city, is it big, little? Does it have a good economy and cultural life?

Thank you very much for your kind help.

Alexandra
Bogotá, Colombia

Answer
you will have a hard time finding a decent place to live alone and will need roommates. That is not enough money to live in salvador alone for a foreigner. You will have to live in low income neighborhoods and there will be no money left over for traveling outside of Bahia, except for maybe a bus ride to teh southern beaches in the state.

Salvador is fairly big, upscale city. All you need will be there. But it is extremely segregated. The cultural life is rich andis the hub of northeastern Brazilian pop culture, for sure.  You will enjoy it. Y ou will just need a roommate, or have to find a house where you can rent a room from someone you or the organization sending you there already trusts.

Good luck!

Ken