Recent Inquiries & Resposes: 1

I've been getting more and more emails from people coming to Rio. Which I figure is good because a lot of people have just LEFT US! We should be recruiting!

I figure if one person asks a question, the answer may be beneficial to others too. Since I am heading out on holidays I figured I would use some of these as easy blog posts over the next couple of weeks (sorry, I am getting worse with the upkeep of this blog by the day!

Question 1:

Now you are a mum, do you feel safe going about your daily business with your baby? We have an 18 month old, and that is my one concern. I’d be grateful if you could give me any insight into this.

My Response:

There is a baby & toddler group here in Rio that is organized through the INC (though you don't need to be a member!).

I feel pretty safe going about daily business with my baby, on foot, within Ipanema and Leblon. We get out everyday and so far have done so without incident. I do not like to travel with her in a car as carjackings are frequent, so I avoid this whenever possible. I do not drive with her alone under any circumstances, and someone is always in the back seat with her in case there is a need to get out of the car in a hurry. Enough said...

Something I think would be more challenging for you is that your child is mobile... traffic is crazy here and I already dread taking her out in the streets when one step (or slip) in the wrong direction could be very bad! You will sure have to be careful!

Comments

[Ray Adkins]

Sorry, but it does sound like Badga or Kabul with the car jackings and ready to scape from the back seat at any moment!
Am I wrong?

[Stephanie]

No, it's not really like that. I have been driving here in Zona Sul for 5 years now and, thankfully, have never had any incident, nor have seen any incident. Things are calm and fine. I do avoid driving at night, just because it is more complicated and if you want to drink...well, best to take a taxi. I think perhaps if you venture into the suburbs or areas unknown, OR known questionable areas, you do take a risk...but for me, just sticking nearby doing the things I need to do, using the car with my son has been just fine. I would say, living here without a car has more benefits because it is expensive to have a car and also it is a pain to park and sometimes traffic can really be a pain...it is usually easier to walk or go by taxi in general. I feel safer here than I did in Los Angeles (zona sul that is).

[Daily Rio Life]

There have been a number of events recently, which have me creeped out! I do know of people who have been carjacked and others on whom attempts have been made, and others still who have witnessed them happening. In my mind the risk is worth considering when we go anywhere by car.

[Stephanie]

Best to go with what you know and follow your instincts. I can't believe you know so many people who had these experiences here. I only know one person who was carjacked here several years ago and it was in Santa Teresa at night, she wasn't hurt, they just took her car. The same thing happened to me in Los Angeles in a *safe* neighborhood. Unfortunately these things happen. I guess, just be aware and be careful.

[Ty]

I curious about housing. I'm an American and any article I come across regarding locations for renting an apartment (vacation rental for only 3 or 6 months) they always suggest Ipanema or Copacabana. Yet I see they have restored the beautiful Hotel Santa Teresa and other guesthouse in Santa Teresa. Are there any other areas in the city that are worth looking into for a vacation rental? Are there any other areas with beautifully restored architecture such as Santa Teresa but maybe not so out of the way? Or are the more touristy areas the easiest and safest? Thanks to anyone with info!

[Daily Rio Life]

Stephanie - that is great that you have not encountered anything of the sort!

Ty - Santa Teresa is really nice, just a bit more sketchy at night! Some of the architecture is cool in Flamengo/Botafogo as well.