Expert: Sandra - 8/14/2011

Question
Sandra:

I'm schedule to retire from my job in about 4-5 years. My pension plus social security will be about $4,000.00 USDA per month. My Brazilian spouse has grown children. So, schooling will not be an issue. Initially, I'll test the waters by doing extended stays for 2-3 months at a time . My wife grew up in Salvador and has a lot of family there . I've been to Salvador numerous times but I don't particularly like the city although it is  culturally rich. However, I do enjoy Salvador's proximity to the beach. Rio is a beautiful city but reminds me of  Los Angeles. I.E. crime ridden and over priced. Ultimately, I would like to buy a modest (2) bedroom apartment. Aracaju and Millhouse are nice beach towns. Where do you think I could get a good bang for my $4,000 per month  retirement dollars. I would buy the apartment if I decided to remain in  Brazil full time. I would also buy a vehicle locally.

Any thoughts,

Larry

Answer
Hi Larry.
You can apply for permanencia (permanent residence) either based on your marriage to a Brazilian or based on your retirement pension. For the retirement visa, you must have a pension income (not including any other income source) of at least U$2000 per month. U$4K/month should be more than sufficient to live well on most anywhere in the northeast, after you have purchased and furnished the residence you want, and bought a car.
I think your idea to visit for a few months at a time to see how well you like living in Brazil is a sound one. Some people find the lifestyle and conditions difficult to put up with the longer they stay. Living here is very different even from being a long-term tourist.
Note that vehicles are likely to be twice as expensive in Brazil as the same model in the U.S., due to taxes. Import of used vehicles (other than “classics” more than 30 years old, or for that matter anything with a motor, like a chain saw or golf cart) is prohibited. Import of new vehicles incurs taxes to make the vehicle equal to the price in Brazil. Used vehicles tend to attract less unwanted attention, an important consideration.
As far as where to live…..
I myself do happen to love Salvador for its liveliness and interesting cultural opportunities. There’s always something to do and some great music to listen to. However, my base is now on the largely rural and more tranquil island of Itaparica, a short ferry ride across the bay from the city, an excellent combination of convenience/proximity and small beach-village living, IMO.
If I didn’t want to live close to the city, I might consider one of the small beachside villages up the coast, on the Linha Verde., anywhere from Jacuipe to Arembepe up to Mangue Seco. Plenty of tranquil little villages with still-not-too-expensive property to build a nice house, and within a reasonable distance to Salvador for visits. You could go even further up into Sergipe or Alagoas states. A friend who has had a residencein Maragogi for decades, for example, recommends it highly. Another somewhat larger city to consider might be Joao Pessoa in Paraiba. (There is a group of gringos living there whom you can contact at www.paraibaparadise.com for more info.) The city seems to have a lot to offer, even when I have been just for a short visit And you’d have easy flight connections to Salvador to visit the relatives.
Best wishes for a pleasant future in Brazil.