After Black Friday, I noticed an interest in a lot of americans trying to find some place to live outside the United States. I would suggest Balneário Camboriú and I will explain why.
Balneário Camboriú is a fairly new resort town in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is a very young city with 4 universities and the best night clubs. It is a place great for partying a lot, places like Green Valley -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVdS3A6epno - Warung -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rA8gsIWZX0 - Parador -
http://paradorestaleirohotel.com.br/ - and private Green Valley parties like House Beach,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8-RlYHPr3s
According to the census, the city has only 100 thousand people living here. But there are quite a few surrounding cities, which all come to balneário for work, for partying, which makes this city have about 200 to 300 thousand people on average (this is my personal educated guess). It gets to 1 million people during the summer from december to march (this is by the census).
It is one of the safest cities in Brazil with a very high quality of life. The city is very different from the rest of Brazil. There is no poverty here, no slums, no favelas. There is no violence, there are cops walking on the city everywhere you look.
The beach itself right where the city is, is not the best. If you are looking for a beautiful beach, then you will have to drive 10 minutes to estaleirinho or praia brava, 30 minutes to bombinhas or 1 hour to Florianópolis (the capital of Santa Catarina).
You can rent a top of the line 4-suite apartment for about 5k reais or 3.1k dollars (current exchange rate is about 1 dollar for 1.60 reais. I myself live with another 2 poker players at a 4-suite top of the line apartment, with a gorgeous view of the beach, with a full time maid who cooks, does the dishes, clothes, everything. High speed 30MB internet connection, another 1MB (back-up connection). Cable TV from Sky, there are other providers to choose from as well. Overall, I spend on my regular month 2k reais to pay for my cost of living, and another 2k reais on parties and other luxury spenditures. Total of 4k reais or 2.5k dollars per month. Before I was at this 4 bedroom, which goes for 4k reais (we got a really, really good deal), I was renting a 2-bedroom with for 2k reais. We live in 3 people and the fourth bedroom has become our shared poker office.
There are also 3 private games that I have access to, and could potentially put anyone in these games. The fish love PLO, and this is the only game played in mid-stakes and high stakes live.
A little about the history of this region (South of Brazil). It was mostly german colonies, which explains why there are tons of blonds here, the most beautiful girls you can find in Brazil. Most of the brazilian models are from the south of Brazil, you can check that fact anywhere.
A little bit about me. I am originally from São Paulo (Brazil biggest city). I went to college in the United States and lived there for 5 years. After graduating, I moved back to São Paulo, lived there another 2 years and then found out about this town and moved here about 1 year ago.
If you have any questions or anything feel free to ask.
Felipe (or Phil)