Living in São Paulo, Brazil:
Tips for Moving and Visiting

São Paulo is a massive and diverse city. Whomever comes here must be aware of crime, extraordinary traffic and the rapidly changing weather. You can experience windy dry cold, tropical sunny heat and torrential rain all in the same day. Spending 3 hours in traffic isn’t unheard of. Crime is rife, you should always have your wits about you.

Economically speaking, Sao Paulo is considered the wealthiest state in Brazil, having the greatest presence of industry and a vast diversity in productive activities. Its GDP is composed of intense industrial activity, a diverse commerce and service sector, and a highly technological agricultural activity. In terms of population, the capital of Sao Paulo is one of the largest cities in the world and the most urbanized city in Brazil. It is considered the central global city in South America, and it is the center of Brazil’s megalopolis because it integrates a region that involves cities in Rio de Janeiro, as well as the metropolitan regions of Campinas and “Baixada Santista.

The highest point of Sao Paulo is located at the “Serra da Mantiqueira” and is known as Pedra da Mina (Mina’s Rock). Its peak is approximately three thousand meters above sea level. The main river in Sao Paulo is called the Tiete River, which is part of the Parana Basin. Its origin is located in a coastal region that goes towards the interior of the continent until it flows into the Parana River. Through this river, many of the first pioneers of Brazil were able to occupy the Sao Paulo territory.

Sao Paulo has a vast territorial area, which makes it one of the most populated states in South America. Due to its high level of infrastructure, Sao Paulo was nominated the financial center of Brazil because it houses the headquarters of many multinational companies and the leading Brazilian stock exchange known as Bovespa.

São Paulo is an open-air urban art gallery, with works of art such as graffiti, which is one of the most democratic forms of art, being available to all without charge, in practically every corner of the city, which transforms the city, one of the great references of urban art or street art in the world.

It is a big city, so be ready to rely constantly on public transportation. When I first moved here I insisted on walking long walks or taking the subway everyday. It was a good learning experience, now I feel like I know the city better than most people. São Paulo is also a multicultural city, so I recommend going to as many cultural events as you can.

In South America, the city of Sao Paulo is not only more affluent than Buenos Aires (Argentina), it also has a higher GDP than most countries in that region. Its production and income generation is superior to the entire state of Minas Gerais, for example. This is the result of the profound socio-spatial and economic concentration that has marked the development of the Brazilian territory throughout history.

Sao Paulo has more than 109 parks, divided between urban parks and those that are in a protected environmental reserve, which will make you rethink aspects about the title of the largest city in Latin America. São Paulo is the most gastronomic city in Brazil, with more than 15 thousand restaurants of 52 nationalities and 20 thousand bars that are spread all over the city for all different tastes and financial conditions of the population (Eu Te Amo Hoje).

São Paulo is the most populated city of Brazil. It is often considered the business capital of our country, as most of the companies reside here, and having the highest GDP in Brazil. São Paulo has a vast range of cultural activities, from museums to various kinds of gastronomic experiences from different countries. Although it is a city that I enjoy living in, it has many problems related to social inequality and, consequently, public security.

Lots of criminality robberies, almost no security, a dangerous city but very good jobs, a very beautiful city with beautiful sights, the city itself has a lot of pollution many pedestrians and besides that the country has absurd prices on consumers and is each trying to take advantage.