Your Expat Community in São Paulo

Embark on a New Life in São Paulo

As a sprawling mega-city with 11 million inhabitants and almost 20 million in the greater metropolitan area, São Paulo has all the amenities, energy, and demands you would expect to find in a busy metropolis. In addition, as with every big city around the world, São Paulo is crowded, noisy, and polluted, which could be overwhelming and challenging for expats moving there. Likewise, social inequality, traffic jams, poverty, and high crime rates are some of the challenges that this beautiful city has to fight continuously. However, with InterNations you can leave the hustle and bustle behind and find outdoor pursuits to enjoy such as hiking and cycling in the nearby mountains, rainforests, and beach resorts of Paulista. Or, if you're looking for partying and nightlife, São Paulo is also the right place for you. São Paulo offers unlimited leisure and entertainment options in terms of dining, samba dancing clubs and bars, as well as cultural attractions such as museums, art galleries, and gorgeous parks among others. São Paulo's major sectors include service and technology, IT, telecommunications, commerce, and finance, where competition is high and expats need the right experience and skills. Other significant employers include the automotive industry, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Thus, due to its huge industry, this Brazilian city attracts lots of expats from all over world every year. Because of this and its historic background, São Paulo is tremendously ethnically diverse, which will make it easier for you to settle in and feel at home. The most-spoken language in Brazil is Portuguese, with different variations and accents when compared to the Portuguese spoken in Portugal. In terms of business, being able to speak the language is fundamental; therefore if you're planning to move there, begin with a language course as soon as possible. English will be fine for a couple of days while you settle in but it won't work forever. On the other hand, expats should keep São Paulo's high cost of living in mind when negotiating their salaries. Accommodation is the most important and expensive factor along with food, insurance, and other expenses. São Paulo has been ranked frequently as the most expensive city in Latin America to live in. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that expats moving to São Paulo should acquire an international or a private health insurance plan for themselves and their families, as the free, public health insurance is not known for its high quality standards. Expats can rest assured that the medical care and treatments offered at the private hospitals are very modern and of excellent quality.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Riyadh or Dakar, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Meet Other Expats at InterNations Events in São Paulo and Grow Your Network

Relocating to a new city is always easier when you know you have supportive friends, which is why we organize regular social events where expats can meet up and make new friends and contacts in São Paulo. Our members hail from all over the world and are some of the most fascinating global minds you will ever meet. Don't forget to also discover new hobbies and interests when you join one of our InterNations Groups dedicated to karaoke, photography, hiking, and more. If you don't see your favorite hobby represented among our offering of groups, why not start your own? With InterNations, you can settle into life abroad and build up a network of friends and contacts in no time.