Expert: Vera Whitaker - 11/14/2011

Question
Hi Vera -

I am an Indian, currently based in Bombay. I would be moving to Brazil, mainly in Sao Paulo for work. I would stay put in Brazil for a few years from moving into the country.

I have questions of the following aspects:

- Home rentals. I am single and would seek a fully furnished apartment in SP. I am ok even with a a serviced apartment. But would choose the lower rentals of the two. Would like to know the per month rentals in BRL and USD

- The best way to find such apartments - local brokers or are there direct links possible and the brokerage fee, if applicable

- I am a vegeterian. Thus restaurants serving veg food ( bfast + lunch + snax + dinner). I would not cook most of the times. Hence the cost of per meal in BRL + USD. the meal ma not be lavish 7 course but functional and nourishing. If I buy food from a single source, any particular packages can be arranged ?

- The cost of fruits and juices, milk, eggs, butter, jams and bread.

- how does the income taxes work out in Brazil for expats. What is the rate ? Do I get any tax relief against my rental expenses / fuel bills / car depreciation / or any other expense item ?

- - In the long run can I buy / invest in property as an expat, be it any part of the country ?

- Are there any Indian communities in sao Paulo ?

- Cost of buying a mid sized car, insurance, fuel bill per litre of petrol ?

- Other possible expenses that I have not accounted for ?

- Typical costs of a week end out station travel ?

- Language course in portuguese and the costs ?

thanks so much for your best guidelines.

Warmly,

Answer
Hi Rajiv,
You have asked a lot of things and I will try to give you a quick explanantion.
Sao Paulo is a very international city.
You will find from beautiful to very ugly places to live. You should go through a broker and they charge some the firs rental of the apartment, others a percentage.
Sao Paulo is not a cheap town, a rental for a one bedroom apartment may go from 2.000,00 to 5.000,00 reais it depends where you are going to live. I suggest you choose your home not far from your office. Traffic is terrible.
I don' t know if there are indian communities in SP but you can find people from all over the world.
Middle size car costs around 40.000,00 reais, sorry don' t know in USD.
Petrol costs 2,69 reais per liter. SP might be a little more expensive.

In SP you find beautiful and fresh vegetables and fruits. It is not a problem to be a vegetarian.
Brazilians are very cordial people so you may arrange a special deal with a nearby store once you became a regular customer.
You may buy properties in Brazil but be careful where and with whom you are investing.

Other costs for courses, trips etc, you may find making a research throught internet.
Regards,