[blahblahblah]

I have lived with these and yes they can be a royal pain. Don’t have one now. But, not all HOAs are in distress. I know of a couple of buildings that the HOAs are in great shape. These are probably the exception, however. And of course even in those places you will still have the rules and board meetings, difficult personalities, etc…

[blahblahblah]

I have lived with these and yes they can be a royal pain. Don’t have one now. But, not all HOAs are in distress. I know of a couple of buildings that the HOAs are in great shape. These are probably the exception, however. And of course even in those places you will still have the rules and board meetings, difficult personalities, etc…

[blahblahblah]

[quote=deadzone]
Your point about the rough areas and being white doesn’t make sense. For one, there are rough areas in any country. What areas ares in specific are you referring to? And being white and sticking out like a sore thumb, how is that different than most parts of LA? Or Detroit? Those are rough places in U.S. and we choose not to live in those areas for obvious reasons. How is Brazil any different?[/quote]

There are 2 big differences. First, as an English-speaking American, you have a couple of huge advantages in rough areas of the US. First, you can “dress down” or look a little grimy and people may not expect that you have any money. Second, you can speak and understand English, so when you are approached you can converse, you can detect trouble quickly, and you can take appropriate action, such as telling someone to f*** off in an appropriately nasty voice if they try to start something. If you were a foreigner, you wouldn’t have this capability and would become an “easy mark.” You would need an expert command of Brazilian Portugese, and in particular, in the Brazilian Portugese slang of the poor to be effective at this.

The second big reason is that, unlike here in the US, skin color is strongly associated with class status in Brazil. If you are a white guy, you will automatically be assumed to be a guy with money even if you’re just a schlub with a few hundred bucks. This fact combined with your lack of ability to speak and understand Brazilian Portugese slang, will quickly identify you as an easy mark. Here in the US, skin color and class status are not linked as strongly in our minds.

That’s not saying you can’t have a great time in some of the cheaper areas! They are a blast! But you are at much greater risk of robbery or even kidnapping. If you visit just once or twice it probably won’t happen to you — but living there is another story. The best option, if you really wanted to live there in one of the cheap areas would be to marry a local that knows the ins and outs, he/she would know what’s what and could keep you out of trouble. Of course you could move to one of the nice areas where you wouldn’t stand out as much, but guess what, those are a lot more expensive.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=deadzone]
Your point about the rough areas and being white doesn’t make sense. For one, there are rough areas in any country. What areas ares in specific are you referring to? And being white and sticking out like a sore thumb, how is that different than most parts of LA? Or Detroit? Those are rough places in U.S. and we choose not to live in those areas for obvious reasons. How is Brazil any different?[/quote]

There are 2 big differences. First, as an English-speaking American, you have a couple of huge advantages in rough areas of the US. First, you can “dress down” or look a little grimy and people may not expect that you have any money. Second, you can speak and understand English, so when you are approached you can converse, you can detect trouble quickly, and you can take appropriate action, such as telling someone to f*** off in an appropriately nasty voice if they try to start something. If you were a foreigner, you wouldn’t have this capability and would become an “easy mark.” You would need an expert command of Brazilian Portugese, and in particular, in the Brazilian Portugese slang of the poor to be effective at this.

The second big reason is that, unlike here in the US, skin color is strongly associated with class status in Brazil. If you are a white guy, you will automatically be assumed to be a guy with money even if you’re just a schlub with a few hundred bucks. This fact combined with your lack of ability to speak and understand Brazilian Portugese slang, will quickly identify you as an easy mark. Here in the US, skin color and class status are not linked as strongly in our minds.

That’s not saying you can’t have a great time in some of the cheaper areas! They are a blast! But you are at much greater risk of robbery or even kidnapping. If you visit just once or twice it probably won’t happen to you — but living there is another story. The best option, if you really wanted to live there in one of the cheap areas would be to marry a local that knows the ins and outs, he/she would know what’s what and could keep you out of trouble. Of course you could move to one of the nice areas where you wouldn’t stand out as much, but guess what, those are a lot more expensive.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=deadzone]
Your point about the rough areas and being white doesn’t make sense. For one, there are rough areas in any country. What areas ares in specific are you referring to? And being white and sticking out like a sore thumb, how is that different than most parts of LA? Or Detroit? Those are rough places in U.S. and we choose not to live in those areas for obvious reasons. How is Brazil any different?[/quote]

There are 2 big differences. First, as an English-speaking American, you have a couple of huge advantages in rough areas of the US. First, you can “dress down” or look a little grimy and people may not expect that you have any money. Second, you can speak and understand English, so when you are approached you can converse, you can detect trouble quickly, and you can take appropriate action, such as telling someone to f*** off in an appropriately nasty voice if they try to start something. If you were a foreigner, you wouldn’t have this capability and would become an “easy mark.” You would need an expert command of Brazilian Portugese, and in particular, in the Brazilian Portugese slang of the poor to be effective at this.

The second big reason is that, unlike here in the US, skin color is strongly associated with class status in Brazil. If you are a white guy, you will automatically be assumed to be a guy with money even if you’re just a schlub with a few hundred bucks. This fact combined with your lack of ability to speak and understand Brazilian Portugese slang, will quickly identify you as an easy mark. Here in the US, skin color and class status are not linked as strongly in our minds.

That’s not saying you can’t have a great time in some of the cheaper areas! They are a blast! But you are at much greater risk of robbery or even kidnapping. If you visit just once or twice it probably won’t happen to you — but living there is another story. The best option, if you really wanted to live there in one of the cheap areas would be to marry a local that knows the ins and outs, he/she would know what’s what and could keep you out of trouble. Of course you could move to one of the nice areas where you wouldn’t stand out as much, but guess what, those are a lot more expensive.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=deadzone]
Your point about the rough areas and being white doesn’t make sense. For one, there are rough areas in any country. What areas ares in specific are you referring to? And being white and sticking out like a sore thumb, how is that different than most parts of LA? Or Detroit? Those are rough places in U.S. and we choose not to live in those areas for obvious reasons. How is Brazil any different?[/quote]

There are 2 big differences. First, as an English-speaking American, you have a couple of huge advantages in rough areas of the US. First, you can “dress down” or look a little grimy and people may not expect that you have any money. Second, you can speak and understand English, so when you are approached you can converse, you can detect trouble quickly, and you can take appropriate action, such as telling someone to f*** off in an appropriately nasty voice if they try to start something. If you were a foreigner, you wouldn’t have this capability and would become an “easy mark.” You would need an expert command of Brazilian Portugese, and in particular, in the Brazilian Portugese slang of the poor to be effective at this.

The second big reason is that, unlike here in the US, skin color is strongly associated with class status in Brazil. If you are a white guy, you will automatically be assumed to be a guy with money even if you’re just a schlub with a few hundred bucks. This fact combined with your lack of ability to speak and understand Brazilian Portugese slang, will quickly identify you as an easy mark. Here in the US, skin color and class status are not linked as strongly in our minds.

That’s not saying you can’t have a great time in some of the cheaper areas! They are a blast! But you are at much greater risk of robbery or even kidnapping. If you visit just once or twice it probably won’t happen to you — but living there is another story. The best option, if you really wanted to live there in one of the cheap areas would be to marry a local that knows the ins and outs, he/she would know what’s what and could keep you out of trouble. Of course you could move to one of the nice areas where you wouldn’t stand out as much, but guess what, those are a lot more expensive.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=deadzone]
Your point about the rough areas and being white doesn’t make sense. For one, there are rough areas in any country. What areas ares in specific are you referring to? And being white and sticking out like a sore thumb, how is that different than most parts of LA? Or Detroit? Those are rough places in U.S. and we choose not to live in those areas for obvious reasons. How is Brazil any different?[/quote]

There are 2 big differences. First, as an English-speaking American, you have a couple of huge advantages in rough areas of the US. First, you can “dress down” or look a little grimy and people may not expect that you have any money. Second, you can speak and understand English, so when you are approached you can converse, you can detect trouble quickly, and you can take appropriate action, such as telling someone to f*** off in an appropriately nasty voice if they try to start something. If you were a foreigner, you wouldn’t have this capability and would become an “easy mark.” You would need an expert command of Brazilian Portugese, and in particular, in the Brazilian Portugese slang of the poor to be effective at this.

The second big reason is that, unlike here in the US, skin color is strongly associated with class status in Brazil. If you are a white guy, you will automatically be assumed to be a guy with money even if you’re just a schlub with a few hundred bucks. This fact combined with your lack of ability to speak and understand Brazilian Portugese slang, will quickly identify you as an easy mark. Here in the US, skin color and class status are not linked as strongly in our minds.

That’s not saying you can’t have a great time in some of the cheaper areas! They are a blast! But you are at much greater risk of robbery or even kidnapping. If you visit just once or twice it probably won’t happen to you — but living there is another story. The best option, if you really wanted to live there in one of the cheap areas would be to marry a local that knows the ins and outs, he/she would know what’s what and could keep you out of trouble. Of course you could move to one of the nice areas where you wouldn’t stand out as much, but guess what, those are a lot more expensive.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=SmellsFeeshy]
Brazil is not without its problems though. The crime rate in cities like Sao Paolo and Rio is very high. While doing research on Rio as a potential vacation destination I was a little concerned by all of the security warnings even at highly populated tourist spots.[/quote]

Many of the people I hear touting Brazil as a great place to live have never been there or if they have have never ventured outside of protected enclaves. I have and let me tell you, it can get pretty rough. That’s not saying it isn’t great! I had an incredible time, the people are amazing and lots of fun. Of course I’d bet that the people in the Ivory Coast are great too but I’m in no hurry to move there.

I remember being driven through lots of areas in BR where my guide would say, “Don’t ever ever come here.” If you are white you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are black, hispanic, or asian (many ethnic Japanese live in Brazil), you might go unnoticed until people realize you can’t speak Portugese and then it’s game on.

Fun place, don’t let me scare you, it’s definitely worth a visit. Living there? Not so sure. Also you would need a visa so you’d have to get married or have a job or something.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=SmellsFeeshy]
Brazil is not without its problems though. The crime rate in cities like Sao Paolo and Rio is very high. While doing research on Rio as a potential vacation destination I was a little concerned by all of the security warnings even at highly populated tourist spots.[/quote]

Many of the people I hear touting Brazil as a great place to live have never been there or if they have have never ventured outside of protected enclaves. I have and let me tell you, it can get pretty rough. That’s not saying it isn’t great! I had an incredible time, the people are amazing and lots of fun. Of course I’d bet that the people in the Ivory Coast are great too but I’m in no hurry to move there.

I remember being driven through lots of areas in BR where my guide would say, “Don’t ever ever come here.” If you are white you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are black, hispanic, or asian (many ethnic Japanese live in Brazil), you might go unnoticed until people realize you can’t speak Portugese and then it’s game on.

Fun place, don’t let me scare you, it’s definitely worth a visit. Living there? Not so sure. Also you would need a visa so you’d have to get married or have a job or something.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=SmellsFeeshy]
Brazil is not without its problems though. The crime rate in cities like Sao Paolo and Rio is very high. While doing research on Rio as a potential vacation destination I was a little concerned by all of the security warnings even at highly populated tourist spots.[/quote]

Many of the people I hear touting Brazil as a great place to live have never been there or if they have have never ventured outside of protected enclaves. I have and let me tell you, it can get pretty rough. That’s not saying it isn’t great! I had an incredible time, the people are amazing and lots of fun. Of course I’d bet that the people in the Ivory Coast are great too but I’m in no hurry to move there.

I remember being driven through lots of areas in BR where my guide would say, “Don’t ever ever come here.” If you are white you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are black, hispanic, or asian (many ethnic Japanese live in Brazil), you might go unnoticed until people realize you can’t speak Portugese and then it’s game on.

Fun place, don’t let me scare you, it’s definitely worth a visit. Living there? Not so sure. Also you would need a visa so you’d have to get married or have a job or something.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=SmellsFeeshy]
Brazil is not without its problems though. The crime rate in cities like Sao Paolo and Rio is very high. While doing research on Rio as a potential vacation destination I was a little concerned by all of the security warnings even at highly populated tourist spots.[/quote]

Many of the people I hear touting Brazil as a great place to live have never been there or if they have have never ventured outside of protected enclaves. I have and let me tell you, it can get pretty rough. That’s not saying it isn’t great! I had an incredible time, the people are amazing and lots of fun. Of course I’d bet that the people in the Ivory Coast are great too but I’m in no hurry to move there.

I remember being driven through lots of areas in BR where my guide would say, “Don’t ever ever come here.” If you are white you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are black, hispanic, or asian (many ethnic Japanese live in Brazil), you might go unnoticed until people realize you can’t speak Portugese and then it’s game on.

Fun place, don’t let me scare you, it’s definitely worth a visit. Living there? Not so sure. Also you would need a visa so you’d have to get married or have a job or something.

[blahblahblah]

[quote=SmellsFeeshy]
Brazil is not without its problems though. The crime rate in cities like Sao Paolo and Rio is very high. While doing research on Rio as a potential vacation destination I was a little concerned by all of the security warnings even at highly populated tourist spots.[/quote]

Many of the people I hear touting Brazil as a great place to live have never been there or if they have have never ventured outside of protected enclaves. I have and let me tell you, it can get pretty rough. That’s not saying it isn’t great! I had an incredible time, the people are amazing and lots of fun. Of course I’d bet that the people in the Ivory Coast are great too but I’m in no hurry to move there.

I remember being driven through lots of areas in BR where my guide would say, “Don’t ever ever come here.” If you are white you are going to stick out like a sore thumb. If you are black, hispanic, or asian (many ethnic Japanese live in Brazil), you might go unnoticed until people realize you can’t speak Portugese and then it’s game on.

Fun place, don’t let me scare you, it’s definitely worth a visit. Living there? Not so sure. Also you would need a visa so you’d have to get married or have a job or something.

[blahblahblah]

We are almost 7 billion now up from just under 2 billion in 1900. The situation is clearly not under control. Unhealthy food, dangerous medical “treatments,” chemicals in the water, radiation, etc… will all do their part to reduce life expectancy and general health. The obesity is a nice benefit because it also serves to limit breeding (fat people don’t have the energy to do as much and have bad self images). Poor diets also reduces people’s strength and mobility, helping keep them docile and easy to control.

If the numbers don’t start coming down quickly enough to curb population growth, some “unexpected” highly contagious diseases will appear soon.

[blahblahblah]

We are almost 7 billion now up from just under 2 billion in 1900. The situation is clearly not under control. Unhealthy food, dangerous medical “treatments,” chemicals in the water, radiation, etc… will all do their part to reduce life expectancy and general health. The obesity is a nice benefit because it also serves to limit breeding (fat people don’t have the energy to do as much and have bad self images). Poor diets also reduces people’s strength and mobility, helping keep them docile and easy to control.

If the numbers don’t start coming down quickly enough to curb population growth, some “unexpected” highly contagious diseases will appear soon.

[blahblahblah]

We are almost 7 billion now up from just under 2 billion in 1900. The situation is clearly not under control. Unhealthy food, dangerous medical “treatments,” chemicals in the water, radiation, etc… will all do their part to reduce life expectancy and general health. The obesity is a nice benefit because it also serves to limit breeding (fat people don’t have the energy to do as much and have bad self images). Poor diets also reduces people’s strength and mobility, helping keep them docile and easy to control.

If the numbers don’t start coming down quickly enough to curb population growth, some “unexpected” highly contagious diseases will appear soon.

[Author]

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