Young family needs to choose Campinas vs Sao Paulo

I currently live in Sao Paulo and would not rec0ommend it for any family.  I have lived in Campinas some years ago, near Unicamp, in Barao Geraldo, and consider living there much better than in Sao Paulo; however, living near Unicamp will require you to have a vehicle, as it is quite far from any large grocery stores, and public transportation is not great in the area.
On the other hand, bear in mind that I am writing based on experience from many year ago, and things could have changed.

In this region of Campinas I advise the city of Indaiatuba, this 20km of campinas has excellent schools, nurseries, restaurants a major ecological park of Latin America with 7 km city with excellent quality of life and security 99% very different from São Paulo or Campinas

in terms of lease in the city of indaiatuba a good apartment with pool and gym and next to the ecological park for about R $ 1.600,00 (real) rent + condo and iptu Park Mail building already, a small house in condominium can turn in approximately R $ 2,500.00 (two thousand and five hundred reais

Thank you, Ron and iesdras! I appreciate your input

you are welcome.

I lived in Sao Paulo  from 1984-1995 and our two children were born there in the first 3 years. We enjoyed the life but did have the support of my wife´s family who live there and in any case we decided to flee the big (or rather HUGE) metropolis to a town on the outskirts (Embu das Artes). Then we spent too much of our lives in traffic !

I don´t know Campinas but did have dinner last week with someone who chose to live there with his second wife about 15 years ago, even though his business is here in Rio (her roots were too deep in Campinas apparently !).  He was incredibly enthusiastic about the quality of life there, everything is close, the city is clean and well organised and he brought up two children there who are now in their early teens.

I didnt ask him about the cost of living but I would imagine R$2500 per month should work for a reasonable apartment in a reasonable area. Be sure to clarify whether condominium charges are included (usually they are not and can be in the range of R$500 to R$1000 per month to cover cost of 24 hour porter service and elevator costs, pool maintenance etc).

good luck with your move!

Hi

firstly  you WILL need a car in Campinas , it's pretty much essential, we found this out the hard way....SP you will be able to get by without and use the metro

Brazil is really hot and just walking 1 hundred meters to a bus stop in the 40 C humidity can exhaust you and leave you drenched with sweat...not to mention safety- especially in Campinas, which is a very dangerous city .....I know as my wife and her whole family are from there.

Honestly I think SP is a better choice, Campinas is one of the most boring places I've ever been, my wife is always saying how you can never go to free events there in the parks and stuff as they are over run with dodgy people and my uncle was telling me how everyone is too scared to go out on the street after dark , and he lives in one of the best areas!

The nicer parts of São Paulo in the better areas are much more lively and safe and the metro system is great for getting around the main areas.

If you can afford, try Valinhos ou Vinhedo. They are close enough to Campinas, and  on the way to Sâo Paulo, where you can getaway on weekens. 

Loads of gated communities out there .

No I do not have listings there.   

There are excelent neighborhoods in Campinas, thought.