Working internationally I had the great fortune to be assigned to a project in southern Brazil where I met a young lady from Minas Gerais.  The project was over too soon, I did not want to leave Brazil but that’s life in a 100 hr work week, little sleep, bad food and plenty of stress. 

At the consulate in Rio she was denied a US tourist visa even though I came down for the interview with her and had a letter from my employer.  It became clear we had to marry in order to get passports, visas, etc so we could travel as a family.  It’s not too complex but not that simple either, anyone needing information on this process feel free to email me.

Next thing you know I am married in Brazil with baby to follow less than two months later.  Two nights in the hospital for the birth cost $333 US, or less than one months [employer subsidized] health insurance premium in the US. 

We now live in a middle-class suburb west of central Belo Horizonte called Contagem.  We purchased a new two level penthouse and furnished it for less than $50,000 US. 

We have a GREAT view.  Our maid is here 5 or 6 days a week, costs $100/month US plus lunch and bus fare.  Unlimited in home internet access costs about $5 US/month.

The streets are cleaned daily in our bairro so the general Belo Horizonte trashiness is not too bad here.  For city living this is a good place…our core cost of living for a family of 3 is about $6,000 US per year.

There is night life if you want it…I’m told there are about 6 available women for every 1 available man…there do seem to be lots of pretty women here!  People are generally very friendly and relaxed, I’ve never felt threatened or unwelcome.  My Portuguese is now good enough I can make small talk about town.

Local food very good and is called “Mineira,” not unlike US country cooking.  My favorite local dish is chicken with okra.  Plenty of local cheeses, fruit, veggies, and liquor.  Local cigarettes are rolled in corn husk, no filters.  All you can eat barbeque (churrasco) is common and good.  My favorite meat here is pork, they are raised on a high fruit diet and the meat is delicious!  I have never had health problems with food in Brazil.

Speaking of health, there is a Yellow Fever Alert at our International Airport, you should get vaccinated for it if you plan on coming here.  There are a few other recommended vaccinations, see your travel clinic.  I’ve heard of one case of dengue in the past year.  City Sanitation actively attempts to eradicate dengue altogether.

A car is not required though they can be rented ranging from $300 to $700 per month.  We rented one to visit the local National Parks.  Our favorite is Serra do Cipo, about 2 hrs by car (there are 3 others that can be reached in about 6 hours including Serra de Canastra which has already been featured in “Escape from America” Magazine). 

There is an international airport about an hour from down town Belo Horizonte (Confins - CNF).  American Air flies in and out once a day.

There is a regional airport in town (Pampulha) , you can hop over to Rio de Janeiro and see your US consulate for about $65 US one way.  If you want to drive to Rio, I’m told it’s about 6 hours.

All of our Brazil Federal and State documents have taken care of right here in Belo Horizonte including legal translations, no plane tickets needed. Rio de Janiero is a great place to visit but Belo Horizonte is a better place live if you are not an ocean fan.