GBN expat secrets - Brazil: 'It's incredible and easier to make friends here than in Europe - but I wouldn't come to retire'
An expat in Brazil spoke to GB News about her latest adventure
Jasmien Cels
Jasmien Cels has lived all over the world. She spent her childhood in Ethiopia, New York and Tokyo, Japan, before spending a decade in London.
Now, she resides in Brazil and is making her way through South America to suss out where she'd like to relocate more long-term.
Jas spoke exclusively to GB News about her latest adventure in Brazil, revealing what makes the South American country so special. She also offered some important words of warning for people thinking of making the move.
While the expat did take a few semesters of Japanese when living in Tokyo, Jas didn't tend to learn new languages when she was living all over the world - until she set her sights on South America.
"Language is not my strong suit," she told GB News, "I'm more science-minded".
"Because I knew I'd have to change schools - and languages - every few years, I never truly invested in the languages. It was maybe a form of rebellion against being forced to move somewhere."
But when Jas made her own decision to move to South America, she was keen to start learning Spanish and Portuguese.
'My list of where to visit in Brazil is just ever expanding - it's such a beautiful country'
Jasmien Cels
She said: "I would 100 per cent recommend that you learn the language if you're moving somewhere. The locals really appreciate that you are making the effort and are trying.
"In Brazil in particular people have been very patient when I try to speak Portuguese - they laugh at me a little bit though."
What really "drew" Jas to Brazil was the sense of community - "just the way people interact with each other on the street and the way they say hello to each other".
"You get to know people's lives," Jas added. "When you're on the beach and the street vendors try and tell you something, you cave in a little bit and then find out more about them."
Brazilians are keen to make connections and meet new people. The expat said: "You're always meeting a lot of people. Everybody's very engaged - sure, it comes with quite a lot of drama at times but you can remove yourself from that.
"I really love the sense of community here. No one's on their phone when they're talking to you. People are invested in your family, asking how your grandmother is doing.
"People are bringing so many new people together. It's just really nice and genuine and authentic."
Because of the nature of the locals, Jas found it very easy to make friends - "much more easy than in Europe".
She said: "People will help you out and give you their contact details quite quickly. There are nomad groups on WhatsApp, Facebook, and a few Slack channels that you can pay to join.
"I've made some amazing friends through this. Dating locally has also helped with meeting people."
Joining Facebook groups seems to be a must-do for those who move abroad. An expat in Spain revealed why social media is essential.
But while Jas is enjoying her time in Brazil, no place is perfect and the expat provided a word of warning to other expats thinking of spending time there.
She explained that people assume Brazil is unsafe because of media reports and general "fear-mongering", claiming that things can get "amplified".
But while "it's not as intimidating as it's portrayed", she admitted that "security is a real concern here".
Jas said: "I still think you need to be highly aware - like, I don't walk with headphones in on the street. I really understand my directions too: if I go for a walk I know where I'm going.
"I'm not getting lost. In London, I love getting lost. Just walking, getting lost, discovering new areas that you wouldn't necessarily just walk into. I don't do that here, which is a shame I feel."
Asked about how safe she feels as a woman living in Brazil, Jas answered: "In Buenos Aires, I felt like no one really looked at me. I felt like people didn't really stare, which was very nice.
"In Brazil, they stare, but they stare at everyone. It's a very highly sexualised country, so I don't feel necessarily intimidated by it.
"Everyone's walking around in a bikini and, so I don't necessarily feel intimidated by it. Otherwise, you're just highly hyper-aware, you're not waving your phone around."
Jas recently fell victim to a pick-pocked attempt. She said: "I had one instance - actually a couple of days ago - where a motorcyclist doing a food delivery tried to take my phone. Luckily, I reacted fast enough. And I'm fine. It was still a startling experience, but I'm fine.
"You just need to be hyper-aware and stick to the beaten track in a way."
But despite needing to keep her wits about her, Jas can't speak highly enough of beautiful Brazil.
As for whether she would recommend it to Britons looking for their next adventure, Jas said: "I love it and I'm very happy here. And the longer I stay, the more I discover where I need to go and visit.
"My list of where to visit in Brazil is just ever expanding - it's such a beautiful country.
"I think there are a lot of amazing things here and there's a lot of potential as well, a lot of growth potential, so I do recommend it.
"I don't think it's for a first-time traveller - I think there are easier places for first-time travellers or first-time movers, but in general I can't stop raving about Brazil.
"I think Brazil is very special in the sense that it has its own very strong culture. I think other South American countries share more of the different types of music and dances. You can do salsa and bachata in all the other South American Latin countries, whereas I feel like Brazil is special because it has a strong culture of its own that's not shared across the other countries. It's the only place you can really find samba.
"So I think experiencing that is a must, like going to different gigs, taking a samba class, for example, and really immersing yourself into that very unique culture."
The beaches are a must-see too. Jas said: "They are just stunning. I've had a few moments on the beach, in the water, looking back at the shore and it just being jungle. And I was like, 'Wow, I'm in Brazil'.
"It's incredible and just unreal having beautiful birds just flying over the canopy of the jungle."
The beach is best enjoyed in excellent weather and luckily, Brazil has that in spades.
While the rainy season has already started, Jas revealed that "there hasn't been a day where I haven't seen a blue sky rather than a grey sky".
Jas believes that Brazil is a country for the young though, so wouldn't necessarily recommend it for expats in their 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond.
She said: "'Putting myself in the shoes of a retiree. I would probably recommend Mexico, just because you have better access to healthcare, and potentially the language barrier is less of an issue. Security will be less of an issue too - obviously, depending on where you go in Mexico.
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Brazil is 'perfect for someone who wants to have easy access to the outdoors'
Jasmien Cels
"I found Buenos Aires to be an amazing city. I wouldn't mind retiring there as well. I don't know if I would consider Brazil as a retirement home unless I really set my roots here. I'd definitely say it's more of a young vibe."
Jas offered some advice for expats thinking of relocating to South America. She said: "Some areas are easier [to move to] than others. Mexico City and Buenos Aires have very large international communities, particularly with women.
"I think starting in places you know have large international communities could be very helpful."
Because Brazil is not the most "internationally touristy place", learning the language is important.
"Prior experience and prior knowledge will benefit you more," she warned. "If you can understand when you're kind of getting hassled, you don't end up in more vulnerable positions."
"I don't want to live somewhere where I feel like I'm on edge all the time, [so it's important to] know how to interact in places that are not necessarily the safest or where you can get hustled a little bit.
"I wouldn't want to live somewhere where I feel on edge. I wouldn't feel at home. I wouldn't feel necessarily integrated."
As for what type of person would enjoy life in Brazil, aside from being young, well-travelled and reasonably proficient in Brazilian Portuguese, Jas said it's "perfect for someone who wants to have easy access to the outdoors".
She said: "You have the big city life, but you also have access to the beach, so you can go surfing, you can go diving.
"You can take a bus for a few hours and be in a colonial town in the middle of the Amazon or the middle of the jungle, and it's becoming more and more important that I have access to that. For me, I don't think Europe has that true nature anymore.
"But I still have access to the big city, so I can still go to the nice restaurants, go to cultural events, go to museums, meet a lot of people, and be lost in a sea of a million people."
Offering some advice for Britons thinking of moving anywhere - not just Brazil - Jas said: "Spend a decent amount of time [researching] before you make this grand effort and spend potentially thousands of pounds moving everything over.
"Obviously as a kid, I didn't have a choice and it was determined by my parent's work. But right now, I'm putting in a lot of effort to spend a decent amount of time - at least one month - in a place before I say I can truly see myself there.
"You need to get over the honeymoon phase of being in a place where everything is new and exciting and you have rose-tinted lenses on where everything's incredible and amazing - because it does wear off.
"I feel like from moving everywhere, it's at that six-month mark when things get tough. You miss your home and miss your friends and family, so make sure you spend enough time somewhere before you say you can really see yourself there long-term."
Moving to Brazil
What you need to know
Global Citizens Solutions said: "With its warm climate, affordable living expenses, and promising real estate market, Brazil has become one of the world's premier choices for foreign retirees.
"The requirements for retiring in Brazil include meeting the requirement age criteria, demonstrating a steady source of monthly income, and navigating the visa application process; however, the steps involved are not as challenging as many foreign retirees might expect."
The UK Government offers guidance on how Britons can go about living in Brazil. It is essential that those considering the move consult the information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The FCDO advised: "If you are travelling to Brazil for any purpose other than tourism, you must contact the Brazilian Consulate in London prior to your travel to check what type of visa is required upon arrival in the country.
"When applying for residency in Brazil you might be asked to obtain a certificate from the Embassy with information about criminal records which might be held about you. The British Embassy/Consulates cannot issue any type of certificate in relation to personal information which might be held about you in the UK.
"You should contact the following UK-based agencies for advice on how to apply for this type of information: Disclosure and Barring Service, Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office (ACRO), Metropolitan Police, Disclosure Scotland and Northern Ireland Direct.
"Once you have obtained the certificate you need to get it legalised by the Legalisation Office in the UK and translated by an official/sworn translator before submitting it to the Brazilian authorities.
"If you have lived or been living in Brazil and need a Certificate of Criminal Records from the local authorities, you should submit your request to the Brazilian Federal Police."
The FCDO also provides essential information on accommodation and buying property, and driving in Brazil.
Consult the FCDO for crucial information on visas, Foreigner Identity Card and Tax Payer Registry (CPF), passports and travel, healthcare, working and studying in Brazil, taxes and money matters, voting, births, deaths, marriage and civil partnership, and who to call in case of an emergency.
Areas in Brazil where FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Amazonas State
"FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the following river areas towards the west of Amazonas State, where Brazil shares borders with Colombia, Peru and Venezuela:
- along the Amazonas (Amazon) River and its tributaries west of the town of Codajás and east of the town of Belém do Solimões in Amazonas State
- along any part of the Itaquaí River in Amazonas State
- along any part of the Japurá River or its tributaries in Amazonas State
- along the Rio Negro (Black River) and its tributaries north or west of the town of Barcelos in Amazonas State
Most popular places for expats
- São Paulo
- Rio de Janeiro
- Salvador
- Florianopolis
- Porto Alegre
- Brasilia
Why Britons choose to live in Brazil
- Incredible landscapes and natural beauty
- Laid-back lifestyle
- Rich culture
- Stunning beaches
- Delicious traditional cuisine
- Consideringly cheaper than the UK
- Warm, friendly locals
- Residency by investment
- Free public healthcare
- Excellent climate
- Festivals
- Great public bus system
Possible pitfalls
- Language barrier
- High crime rates in some areas
- Political instability
- Dense populations in major cities leading to crowding
- Pollution
- Time-consuming beaurocracy
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