Gringoes.com: Cost of living in Rio?

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CNAZ
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Topic: Cost of living in Rio?
Posted: 28 July 2010 at 14:02

I am considering taking a position in Rio and have some questions regarding cost of living. So I would appreciate any feedback or comments on what would be the approximate monthly expenses for:

- 1-2 bedroom flat (including maintenance fees) – I would prefer to live in Barra since it is close to work.

- Utilities (electric, water)

- Cable TV, Internet, home phone

- Car monthly payment and gas

If there are any other recommendations on additional expenses I should considering when budgeting my move, I would love to hear them.

Thank you!

CNAZ

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MovingSoon
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Posted: 28 July 2010 at 14:34

Places in Barra range from 1000-2000 and it goes back to the same thing about location-depends on where you want to live: ocean or not.

Maintenance fees can vary a lot depending on the condo. Anywhere from 200-500 month. If the condo includes free bus service, pool, etc, its going to be on the higher side.

Cable, internet, and phone can be packaged-usually get a great rate the first six months then it goes up. Depends on the speed and what you want to watch, but generally anywhere from 100-400 monthly.

If your condo has bus service that stops close to your work in Barra, that can save you a bunch of money. Condo buses have specific places where they stop and run constantly from your condo to downtown Rio, with lots of stop between. And they are the really nice traveling type buses so you can actually ride in comfort and sleep to and from.

Be prepared to spend more on food than in the US...

Thats my two cents.

(I live in Barra)

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways at a high rate of speed, drink in one hand, totally worn out shouting, "Whoa, what a ride"!

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tomjo
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Posted: 28 July 2010 at 15:34

It all depends on the Condo as MS just said the monthly fee's rang dramatically depending on what the complex has to offer and the location - some condos have monthly fee's of up to R$ 1000's per Month.
      In my opinion the first part of Barra is the best part "Jardim Oceanico" One forum member just resonantly rented a place there for his Wife and the prices have gone up there hugely between last year and this.
          So to rent a nice place in Jardim Oceanico will a garage and balcony close to the sea and supermarkets/bars will come in around R$2500/3000 per month - then you have your T.V/Net = R$300 depending on your phone calls - Gas and Electric R$200 depending on your use - Car I'm not sure but you'll be spending a fair bit on petrol so around R$500 per month say + insurance.
      You need to make sure your work pay for your insurance on the apartment as I'm guessing you don't have a guarantor - this is the main problem with renting in Rio but I've herd it is easier to get round when renting in Barra.
Oh and don't forget your health insurance to - I have yet to get this so not sure on the price.

I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.

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Bubbles
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Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:04

How long are you in Barra for? If over a year it might even be worth looking at buying...for example here's a 1bed for $R260K ($US150K) in Posto 4:

http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reo/1860153152.html

There's a plethora of apt complexes in Barra so you hopefully could pick up a good deal. Even if you rent you'd have to pick up bills so no savings there.....

I rented a 2 bed on the Barra/Recreio border (11km up Av. Americas) for 2 months in 2007 but wouldn't now - it was a little too remote for me.

MS - where are you in Barra?

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DUNGA
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Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:29

I would guess that overall your month to month living expenses would be 1.4 times what they would be in the US.
In addition, leases are for 3 years and furnished places are very rare, unless your company has some arrangement. Appliances, furniture, kitchenware and linen are priced above what you are used to and of generally poorer quality. Clothes are expensive and personally, I find, not too comfortable to wear. But maybe if you are a skinny euro-type ...
On your list; Utilities are the best deal, elec being about the same and water a bargain. At the other end cars and fuel can be 2x. The best deals are on rice, beans, meat and bananas.

Best Luck!!!

A Mangueira é a música do Brasil

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tomjo
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Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:43

@Bubbles I looked at an apartment to rent in that building a few years ago - it's pretty skanky but you could make the apartment really nice if you purchased one - if memory serves the condo fee's were very high - over R$700 I think.
But grate location - I'm sure you'd make a profit if you bought now did it up and sold it in a few years.

I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.

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Bubbles
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Posted: 29 July 2010 at 11:56

Assuming rent of $R1200 - 1500 a year, that's around $R30,000 over 2 years hence the suggestion of buying....the place should appreciate as well once the Barra metro project kicks in (it's supposed to be completed by 2016).

Tomjo - skanky?!

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tomjo
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Posted: 29 July 2010 at 12:11

Yeah Went in side that Building looking at an apartment to rent and it had a huge corridor stretching all the way throw - must have been over 20 apartments per floor and quite badly looked after - just nitpicking Bubbles, but it would be a good investment if the condo was not to high Smile

Edited by tomjo - 29 July 2010 at 12:12

I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.

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MovingSoon
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Joined: 21 January 2007
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Posted: 29 July 2010 at 13:29

Bubbles- I'm on Abelardo Bueno, in the HSBC arena/autodromo area...

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways at a high rate of speed, drink in one hand, totally worn out shouting, "Whoa, what a ride"!

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Moving to Brazil
Gringoes.com : Brazil : Moving to Brazil

Author	Message
CNAZ Newbie Joined: 28 July 2010 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 3	Topic: Cost of living in Rio? Posted: 28 July 2010 at 14:02
	I am considering taking a position in Rio and have some questions regarding cost of living. So I would appreciate any feedback or comments on what would be the approximate monthly expenses for: - 1-2 bedroom flat (including maintenance fees) – I would prefer to live in Barra since it is close to work. - Utilities (electric, water) - Cable TV, Internet, home phone - Car monthly payment and gas If there are any other recommendations on additional expenses I should considering when budgeting my move, I would love to hear them. Thank you!
	CNAZ

	IP Logged

MovingSoon Senior Member Joined: 21 January 2007 Location: Brazil Online Status: Online Posts: 1290	Posted: 28 July 2010 at 14:34
	Places in Barra range from 1000-2000 and it goes back to the same thing about location-depends on where you want to live: ocean or not. Maintenance fees can vary a lot depending on the condo. Anywhere from 200-500 month. If the condo includes free bus service, pool, etc, its going to be on the higher side. Cable, internet, and phone can be packaged-usually get a great rate the first six months then it goes up. Depends on the speed and what you want to watch, but generally anywhere from 100-400 monthly. If your condo has bus service that stops close to your work in Barra, that can save you a bunch of money. Condo buses have specific places where they stop and run constantly from your condo to downtown Rio, with lots of stop between. And they are the really nice traveling type buses so you can actually ride in comfort and sleep to and from. Be prepared to spend more on food than in the US... Thats my two cents. (I live in Barra)
	Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways at a high rate of speed, drink in one hand, totally worn out shouting, "Whoa, what a ride"!
	IP Logged

tomjo Senior Member Joined: 29 September 2008 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 495	Posted: 28 July 2010 at 15:34
	It all depends on the Condo as MS just said the monthly fee's rang dramatically depending on what the complex has to offer and the location - some condos have monthly fee's of up to R$ 1000's per Month. In my opinion the first part of Barra is the best part "Jardim Oceanico" One forum member just resonantly rented a place there for his Wife and the prices have gone up there hugely between last year and this. So to rent a nice place in Jardim Oceanico will a garage and balcony close to the sea and supermarkets/bars will come in around R$2500/3000 per month - then you have your T.V/Net = R$300 depending on your phone calls - Gas and Electric R$200 depending on your use - Car I'm not sure but you'll be spending a fair bit on petrol so around R$500 per month say + insurance. You need to make sure your work pay for your insurance on the apartment as I'm guessing you don't have a guarantor - this is the main problem with renting in Rio but I've herd it is easier to get round when renting in Barra. Oh and don't forget your health insurance to - I have yet to get this so not sure on the price.
	I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.
	IP Logged

Bubbles Senior Member Joined: 17 September 2009 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 830	Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:04
	How long are you in Barra for? If over a year it might even be worth looking at buying...for example here's a 1bed for $R260K ($US150K) in Posto 4: http://rio.en.craigslist.org/reo/1860153152.html There's a plethora of apt complexes in Barra so you hopefully could pick up a good deal. Even if you rent you'd have to pick up bills so no savings there..... I rented a 2 bed on the Barra/Recreio border (11km up Av. Americas) for 2 months in 2007 but wouldn't now - it was a little too remote for me. MS - where are you in Barra?
	IP Logged

DUNGA Gringoes.com Guru Joined: 30 March 2006 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 3700	Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:29
	I would guess that overall your month to month living expenses would be 1.4 times what they would be in the US. In addition, leases are for 3 years and furnished places are very rare, unless your company has some arrangement. Appliances, furniture, kitchenware and linen are priced above what you are used to and of generally poorer quality. Clothes are expensive and personally, I find, not too comfortable to wear. But maybe if you are a skinny euro-type ... On your list; Utilities are the best deal, elec being about the same and water a bargain. At the other end cars and fuel can be 2x. The best deals are on rice, beans, meat and bananas. Best Luck!!!
	A Mangueira é a música do Brasil
	IP Logged

tomjo Senior Member Joined: 29 September 2008 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 495	Posted: 28 July 2010 at 19:43
	@Bubbles I looked at an apartment to rent in that building a few years ago - it's pretty skanky but you could make the apartment really nice if you purchased one - if memory serves the condo fee's were very high - over R$700 I think. But grate location - I'm sure you'd make a profit if you bought now did it up and sold it in a few years.
	I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.
	IP Logged

Bubbles Senior Member Joined: 17 September 2009 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 830	Posted: 29 July 2010 at 11:56
	Assuming rent of $R1200 - 1500 a year, that's around $R30,000 over 2 years hence the suggestion of buying....the place should appreciate as well once the Barra metro project kicks in (it's supposed to be completed by 2016). Tomjo - skanky?!
	IP Logged

tomjo Senior Member Joined: 29 September 2008 Location: Brazil Online Status: Offline Posts: 495	Posted: 29 July 2010 at 12:11
	Yeah Went in side that Building looking at an apartment to rent and it had a huge corridor stretching all the way throw - must have been over 20 apartments per floor and quite badly looked after - just nitpicking Bubbles, but it would be a good investment if the condo was not to high Edited by tomjo - 29 July 2010 at 12:12
	I was right in the middle of a f***ing reptile zoo, and somebody was giving booze to these goddamn things. Won't be long now before they tear us to shreds.
	IP Logged

MovingSoon Senior Member Joined: 21 January 2007 Location: Brazil Online Status: Online Posts: 1290	Posted: 29 July 2010 at 13:29
	Bubbles- I'm on Abelardo Bueno, in the HSBC arena/autodromo area...
	Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave with a well preserved body, but to skid in sideways at a high rate of speed, drink in one hand, totally worn out shouting, "Whoa, what a ride"!
	IP Logged