Moving to Brasilia- mistake?

[bella6363]

Hello, I am an American female in my late 20's. I just signed a contract to work in Brasilia for a number of years and am now thinking I could have made a wrong decision... I was wondering if anyone who lives in Brasilia can help me out with some information.

1. I will be living in the suburbs of Brasilia and will have no car and a very bad sense of direction!! It is important that I make friends and have an active social life. I am planning on learning as much Portoguese as I can. However, how do I make friends when there is not a lively downtown area? I love hiking and being outdoors but heard you need a car to get to these places. I don't want to be lonely sitting in my apartment alone because I can't meet people and don't have a car. Do Brazilians typically make friends with expats?

2. At this stage of my life, I would like to be in a serious relationship. Obviously, that is easier with someone from my home country, however the nature of my work is international so I was hoping to find someone there. Are relationships between Brasilians and expats common and would it be easy to find someone to date here? The city seems so closed.

So far from what I have read on the internet, some things about Brasilia seem pretty dismal. I am looking to have some fun and an active life and was not aware of all the negative things I have been hearing but am hoping that it's a little brighter than it has appeared for the sake of my contract...

Thanks so much for any input.

[m472632]

I lived in Brasilia for 12 years. It´s a very different place with brasilians in. I mean there´s no place on earth with this kind of architecture and urban planning. It affects everything. first of all you can use a bike for leisure or shopping around. you can´t get to work on it. the transit is dangerous, the distances are huge, the climate is offen dry and hot. Learning Portuguese is mandatory, most brasilians, even the well-to-do ones, don´t speak any english. Once you brake the language barrier though, you will be surrounded by a generally lovely, dependable, generous people, it is up to you to make the best of it. 20 yo is a great time to live in Brazil and Brasilia. The same goes to your love life, don´t think brasilians are so much different as their americans counterparts. Please fell free to ask some more if you need, enjoy your stay.