Brazil is an expensive country
The supermarket bills in Italy and São Paulo are pretty much the same. To be honest, it is not only the supermarket bills
We're almost at Christmas, and our energy has ended. I would be immensely grateful if there are any readers of the sentences below.
I'm reaching the end of my first nomadic year with many discoveries. But there's one I'd like to share today: Brazil is an expensive country.
I spent 3 out of 12 months of 2023 outside Brazil—one in Budapest, one in Buenos Aires, and one in Rome.
Budapest was chosen, among other reasons, for being one of the cheapest capitals in Europe. They don't even use the euro there, but the Hungarian forint. Indeed, the prices corresponded to expectations. My wallet didn't feel much of a difference.
I already knew Buenos Aires and strongly desired to return to South America's capital that I consider the most charming. Argentina's economic and social crisis has deteriorated, so the Brazilian currency is valued there.
In other words, I chose Budapest and Buenos Aires because they were pretty viable for my budget. Nomadic life is expensive. It's necessary to save whenever possible.
I had different expectations in Italy, the eighth largest economy in the world. Although the cost of living isn't like that of London, I obviously expected to spend more than I do in Brazil. My surprise was that it didn't happen.
On the second day in Rome, I went to the market to buy essential items for the week. The bill reached 18 euros, or 96 BRL, at the current exchange rate. The value of the purchase caught my attention so much that I called my mother and asked her to get the same products from a supermarket in Avaré, my hometown in Brazil. The list was:
Clear Men Shampoo 200 ml
Nivea Deodorant 150 ml
A bunch of 3 silver bananas
Two apples
A loaf of sandwich bread
Large grape jelly
One semi-skimmed milk 1L
Two bottles of 1.5L water
To my amazement, that came to 89 BRL, almost the same value as the supermarket in Italy. And my mother lives in Avaré, a city of 90 thousand inhabitants in the interior. In São Paulo, this purchase would likely be even more expensive.
I started comparing everything. And it became worse for Brazil. I was going to a restaurant-pizzeria near my Airbnb every day. I paid 7 to 9 euros (37 to 48 BRL) for a well-served pasta, risotto, or meat dish.
In São Paulo, having lunch for less than 30/40 BRL is increasingly difficult, even in less sophisticated restaurants. So, I practically spent the same.
The wines in Italy are excellent and cheap, so it would be unfair to compare them to Brazil. Let's talk about beer. Paying 3 euros (15 BRL) for a 330 ml bottle at a bar was common. In Brazil, this value varies depending on the region, but you can find it from 10 to 18 BRL. Again, it's very similar.
Near where I was, there was a famous party among Italians, with few tourists —entrance: 5 euros, or 25 BRL. A party in São Paulo today hardly ever has the first batch of tickets for less than 30 BRL.
Ultimately, I spent 1,000 euros (5,300 BRL) in my month in Rome (excluding accommodation), similar to my Brazil's cost of living.
In summary, we're paying a lot in Brazil for a terrible cost-benefit ratio. In Budapest, Buenos Aires, and Rome, there's safety on the streets that isn't found in any Brazilian capital. The lack of security in Brazil generates less walkable cities, with less life in the squares, in a cascade effect that makes cities even less secure. Not to mention insufficient public transportation and inadequate services...
Of course, there are other factors involved in traveling to another country, like airfare and accommodation, which will make the total cost more expensive.
But you can find ways to save, like a good promotion on airfare and shared accommodation.
Also, consider that you're a nomad living in that place, not a tourist. Therefore, try to stay in a neighborhood with local life and less touristy, and don't spend eagerly on paid tours.
And, of course, this calculation won't work everywhere. In New York and London, having the life I'm having while spending the same is impossible. But there are enough places in the world where the cost of living isn't a problem, especially if you live in Brazil, an expensive country.
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