A new client is adding Rio to my Paris/London split. Has anyone ever lived there? It's spectacularly beautiful, but crime? Best places to live? Tips? etc...Cheers...
A new client is adding Rio to my Paris/London split. Has anyone ever lived there? It's spectacularly beautiful, but crime? Best places to live? Tips? etc...Cheers...





My ex spent 4 months there. He lived in or near Ipanema I think...
He didn't seem to perceive any extra street crime levels, at least no more than any major US city. He DID however, wind up with his bank account CLEANED OUT and OVERDRAWN by $1900 because of cc fraud which is apparently rampant down there - last I heard some of the worst in the world. He was using his Visa debit for everyday expenses and best he could figure was someone (likely a waiter) had used one of those magnetic swipe machines to steal and reproduce his card info. In a matter of 2 days his acct was wiped and overdrawn with bogus charges, most of which went to dummy grocery and liquor stores. Large charges too, a few hundred here, a grand or more there - almost 30 bogus charges in all. His card had been in his possession the whole time, only left his person/sight when he paid restaurant bills. He discovered the theft when he tried to withdraw cash at an ATM and had no money. Called the bank to find out he'd been cleaned out in the previous 2 days.
Moral of the story: Carry your cards but don't use them to pay for expenses - withdraw your daily budget in cash and keep your cards on you! Or use American Express travelers checks.
GREAT tip!!! Oh my God... I've never had the problem there yet, but it doesn't surprise me at all.
Hey,
I used to live in Rio, Copacabana...loved it, the culture/lifestyle is really liberal & relaxed. I stayed there for 2 years and never witnessed a single crime...stayed out late on weekends (skateboarding, drinking, etc) until 02:00-03:00am and didnt see anything worse than some harmless homeless people sleeping here and there, hustles by hookers or someone smoking pot whatever. Im not denying that there's a high crime rate in Rio, but it isnt more apparent than in other major cities i know. Now if you decide to roam in the wrong areas, poverished areas/slums or other areas known for criminal activity the odds of running into gang vs. police confrontations are higher. Beware that the local media overly emphasizes crime in their daily broadcasts, i recall watching several programs where atleast 4/5 reports were crime related (literally speaking). The common people also express a distinct attitude towards crime, they may exaggerrate about the dangers of staying out and travelling at night, etc. So it isnt as bad as it sounds..i guess.
My advice to anyone who chooses to visit Rio is to behave as you would in any major city, avoid acting conspicuously or wearing highly valuable items. Be a little cautious as a foreigner (since the common business people tend to think foreigners are wealthy), they may try to ripp you off, Im not saying everyone would, and if they do it wont cost you a fortune. I recommend visiting Rio with the company of a guide or experienced/brazilian friend...it would certainly make life easier when it comes to communication/orientation.
All in all i totally love Rio, the city is very entertaining and the entertainment is very affordable. I recommend this place for people who enjoy a simple life/culture that is very down to earth, with less suffistication and petty principles.
Hope this is helpful,
Triilsk
Last edited by triilsk; 07-19-2006 at 12:44 AM.
I know, totally off topic, but this happens in the US also. Happened to my father-in-law last summer. It is just a little harder to get merchants to accept the fake credit cards in the US.Originally Posted by Bridgette
Promote yourself and earn more money! This is a business that is owned by strippers for strippers. Let's make that money!
I worked with a fantastic dancer from Rio De Janeiro- she came to the US because her dad was very wealthy so the threat of kidnapping was a constant fear for her. She had to have a bodyguard accompany her everywhere. I KNOW this sounds like some crazy crackhead stripper tale, but she was the real deal- she spoke four languages (I heard her chat up people in French & Spanish & of course English & Portugese) & she had two degrees. She just LOVED to drink & party so she was a stripper too. (Miss you, Sage, baby!!!)
My POINT is that if people think you have money you'll look like a target- I read in the snooty Conde Nast travel mag that one should dress down in Rio & don't carry too many valuables. (Uh, haven't you seen "City of God"? Don't mean to scare you...But hey, be warned.)
I have met a couple upper-class "white" Brazilians & they claim the danger is in the "favela." OK so don't go near there....
what do you mean by petty principles.Originally Posted by triilsk
"You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
"I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi
Qui bom! Fala portugues? I want to live in Brazil one day too, maybe in Salvador. See my signature? I might even retire there. Anyway I haven't been there yet, but I have a wealth of tips about Brazil from research over the years. Here's one about driving: The roads aren't as good as US roads and they are very wild drivers who don't often stop at red lights or stop signs. But the cars have a switch where you can change fuel.Originally Posted by Chevalier
"You have demonic genius" -Naomi Wolf
"I very much resent it when people - maybe with good intentions or from a progressive point of view - keep telling me, 'It's their culture' ... It's like saying the culture of Massachusetts is burning witches." -Azar Nafisi
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