London or Rio de Janeiro

[danchez]

OK, so my significant other has an opportunity to take a job abroad. Which one would you go to and why?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

I chose London because there is so much more to do within a 2 hr plane ride and the actual cost of living is higher in Rio than London, the only down is that fewer people go to Rio so you would stand out more. BTW you really need to know how to speak portugese to communicate with the locals, they are not a spanish speaking nation that much while in London you just need to watch PBS a few weekends to catch some of the accents.

[Houston-X]

just my opinion, but I dont like the hot humid weather, so its London for me... but I'm no weather man.

[ronocnikral]

london is boring and safe. therefore, i voted for rio. of all the places in the world, London is damn near the bottom.

[danchez]

Originally Posted by Houston-X

just my opinion, but I dont like the hot humid weather, so its London for me... but I'm no weather man.

ummm, where do you live???

[Houston-X]

LOL!!! Good point, not by my choice, my wife didnt want to move away from her family. good point though ;)

[jeffclow]

I have been to both and the people are much more alive in Rio - and the food is MUCH better.

[camera shy]

Never been to Rio but been to London a couple of time. From London it's a short flight to Italy, France, etc. From Rio it's a short flight to nowhere.
In London they speak English. In Rio they speak Portugese. Which language do YOU speak?

[studiocygnet]

Actually folks, it's Portuguese. And Rio is nearer to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and all the South and Central America countries, as well as closer to Texas. But really, do you like the South American lifestyle, or the Northern European culture? Do you like dancing to samba and Carnival, or maybe you prefer folk ballads and high tea? There is such a difference, I'd go with what you gravitate toward culturally.

[danchez]

Originally Posted by jeffclow

I have been to both and the people are much more alive in Rio - and the food is MUCH better.

Hell yeah!!!

Originally Posted by camera shy

Never been to Rio but been to London a couple of time. From London it's a short flight to Italy, France, etc. From Rio it's a short flight to nowhere.
In London they speak English. In Rio they speak Portugese. Which language do YOU speak?

saying this in my best foreign accent voice... "ze international language of love..." ha ha ha

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

Actually folks, it's Portuguese. And Rio is nearer to Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and all the South and Central America countries, as well as closer to Texas. But really, do you like the South American lifestyle, or the Northern European culture? Do you like dancing to samba and Carnival, or maybe you prefer folk ballads and high tea? There is such a difference, I'd go with what you gravitate toward culturally.

I don't think anyone said anything different.....

cultural gravitation.... Carnival, good food and great beaches!!!!

[ronocnikral]

what Tom was onto...

well, i think in the couple of posts here, we have found out that it depends on what kind of personality one has.

Just b/c you don't speak a language, doesn't mean you can't live in that country. I have friends from mexico, still don't speak english. I speak minimal spanish. yet, we still have fun. immersion is the best way to learn. i've survived thailand (rural), korea and japan knowing practically nothing of their language. half the fun for me is learning.

Just b/c one location is closer than the other to what other people like, doesn't mean it's suitable for someone else. To me, Europe is boring (yes, i'm going to France this summer). There are interesting locations where ever you go. I'd rather do something different. Others would rather do something safe. Neither is wrong.

PS, flight times from Houston to London are an hour shorter then Houston to Rio. London back to Houston is the same as the Rio flight (either way). i realize not everyone lives in houston, just posting for reference.

[jeffclow]

The Brazilians seem to live life to the fullest while the vast majority of the Londoners seem to endure.

I spent two weeks in each place and given a choice, I wouldn't hesitate to return to Rio. The people are much more friendly, the vibe in the area and the city is much more upbeat, and the food is outstanding all over the city. The food in London is really pedestrian - bland and overcooked no matter whether you are in a pub or a five star restaurant. And I was on an expense account, so I ate at the best places in both cities.

However, two other considerations - crime and language - have to come into play. Rio is much more dangerous and has been pointed out many times in this thread, they don't speak English as the primary language.

Where would you have a lot more fun? Rio.

Where would you feel safer? London.

[studiocygnet]

Yep, if you choose Rio, and you want to walk around with a camera, you've got to make it look like a pos. Duct tape and no big lens, a point and shoot is even a target if it says Nikon or Canon on it.

[L Stegall]

While I haven't been to Rio, I have been to Argentina and absolutely loved it and would move there in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity. I found Buenos Aires very European in feel architecturally. It was lively and vibrant and we met wonderful people. There is plenty to explore in Brazil as well and, while it may be a longer flight than hopping from England to France, you could also explore Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and more, which I think would be very cool. It would truly be a change in culture and exciting. I do think that crime is more an issue in Brazil than probably London (I haven't been to England in years, but spent 6 weeks there as a student), but to me, that is the only serious negative (although the language barrier in Brazil would be more of a challenge obviously than England). I honestly don't know how they compare cost wise, although I'd always read London was one of the most expensive cities on earth. Not sure where Rio stacks up in terms of housing and daily cost of living. We found Argentina an incredible bargain.

[ronocnikral]

not to sway you....(i think i may have posted this before)

Rio-de-Janeiro, Brazil. Helicopter flight. Aerial photography by Oleg Gaponyuk - AIRPANO.RU