Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay.
Hey HelloFriends, thanks for all the information.
My friends and I (all online poker players) are looking at Natal to possibly move to for six month. In the past we've lived in Playa Del Carmen, Buenos Aires, Medellin and have traveled South America. Brazil and Natal are high on the list for us because of the climate, beaches and women. The wants are:
Live very close to the beach. Hopefully a local thong bikini (top priority, obv) beach. No tourist and plastic chairs please!
Hot local women, who aren't working girls, are approachable, have the latina passion.
Being able to meet locals and feel part of the "community", so being able to do Portuguese classes in a school, or join clubs etc.
The city not being too big and overwhelming so that we get lost and anonymous in it. A walkable neighborhood.
Good food options.
Not ridiculously expensive.
Reliable internet.
Natal seems that it certainly beats out Rio, Sao Pauloa, Fortaleza for those. My question is are there any other cities we should research in the north of Brazil (Joao Pessoa looks like a good option)?
Also about Natal, how difficult would it be to find either 2 2 bedroom apartments (in the same building), a 4 bedroom apartment or a house (close enough to the beach) for 6 months from June until Jan? I know that starts high season and we are gringos who aren't long term renting so in the past it's been difficult. Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks for everything. Sorry for the standard sounding pokerplayer-gringo-expat moving to latin city wants sun, beaches and women question.
Jay,
Sorry I didn't respond earlier. Life has gotten in the way.
Yeah I'd go with Natal or the NE over any other in Brazil.
1. It's closer to Europe. About half the flying time than what you'd use from Rio/SP.
2. It's (a lot) cheaper. Especially housing. Women are women. They have some fine specimens all over you know.
3. Buzzing live scene if you ever want to do some donking around. Regular fixture on the BSOP tour etc.
In Natal you will have zero problems finding a spot right on the beach. Houses or apartments. You will pay slightly more than the locals, but hey, that's life. If you want to stay away from the touristy type places I'd suggest just north of the city, like Genipabu and Redinha. It's not always very safe there, but still you can find some nice places with ok security. Won't find many working girls there either. At least not top pro ones.
South of Natal you will find beautiful places like Tabatinga and Pipa. Pipa would be my choice if I had your criteria, but very bad internet last I was there.
The thing about the ladies there is that it's very tough to approach them unless you speak the language. Very few speak English in the north east. Money and looks will only get you so far. Some of the girls won't expect like cold hard cash as "payment", but a nice meal and cab rides and gifts. They are not hard core hookers, but like wants to a gringo for the convenience.
Another thing to consider is the visa situation. With Brits I don't know at the moment, but other Euros only get 90 days at a time. Then out for another 90 before you renew. Shoot me a PM for a workaround on this.
Like I said, I see no problem in getting a house or apt for this time period. They will be throwing keys at you.
Joao Pessoa is a nice option also. They have a very good poker scene there, slightly better than Natal, but it's a smaller city and not as nice IMO. The airport there has fewer flights also, so it could be that you'd have to go to Natal for travels to Euro or inside South America.
