Expert: Sandra - 6/21/2011

Question
Hi Sandra,

I've received a Job offer from my company to move to Rio, I'm wondering if the salary offered will cover my needs. The offer is around 9.300 Reais, the office is in Barra da Tijuca, so the idea is to live on the same neighborhood. I would be living with my wife, no kids. Basically I'm looking for a salary that allows me to live in a nice two rooms apartment, having a maid that goes once or twice a week, and of course being able to enjoy my weekends dinning out, not the top restaurants but middle ones, cover some needs as clothing, car expenses and others, eventually traveling inside Brazil and of course be able to save for the future.

I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks,

Answer
That amount will cover your expenses. It will not, IMO, allow you to save for the future, nor to travel outside the country much. If you plan to have children, it would not cover a good private school in Rio either.
Pose the question as well to some foreign residents in Rio on the forum of the www.gringoes.com expat site. You will also find some past threads there dealing with the subject of salary, and other important issues for foreigners considering moving to Brazil.