Considering Moving to Brazil in My 80s

Hello Jim, welcome on board !

You did the right thing by posting your questions on the forum. The Brazil forum community is very helpful and I am sure will guide you.

Have you read the Living in Brazil guide for expats ?

Since you posted your thread on the Porto Alegre forum, can you please confirm that you would like to move there with your family ?

All the best

Bhavna

Jim,

That's just awesome that your family-friends have invited you. It is true that some, not all, Brazilians do their utmost to care for others who can no longer get along on their own. But there are just so many questions that come to mind about your move, starting with language (whether you speak Portuguese) and continuing to questions of healthcare coverage (your Medicare doesn't apply here) and then portability of your income here to Brazil. Mind you, there are ways to deal with all of these things but the real question is if it isn't really what you imagine, the effort to return, well it could be complicated.

I came to stay in 2009 but already had 28 years of regular experience coming to Brazil AND a family to welcome and help me and I still faced many frustrating challenges. If you have solid background in questions of Brazilian life in Brazil you have a shot at making it work. Without that background I suggest caution.

Message me directly if you'd like to chat about your thoughts.

In the nordeste,

MattB (from Wisconsin)

Could Jim get a nomad visa so he could get a SUS card? And then renew the visa every year? Just a thought, I know nothing about nomad visas.

@alan279 Looks like a digital nomad visa requires travel insurance, so that may not work for Jim.

Oi gente,
I've been on this site now for a few years, and, truthfully, have participated very much....even though I enjoy reading many of the posts. Now, I have a problem/question, and would appreciate any responses and suggestions.
I'm in my mid-80's, currently living in a trailer park on US social security. I'm more or less healthy. My children's offer to "take care" of me as I got older, really didn't work out that well. Frankly, I'm not worth the effort. During a recent trip to Brasil, a family that I have known for years told me to just move down and live with them until the end of my days.

I read all of the rules and obligation I'd face in getting a resident visa, and it's, overwhelming to consider. The family in Brasil told me that they are not really concerned with any legal paperwork, and that they would love to have me stay with them. I'm very tempted to do so, especially since my children do not really care any more.

But, is this possible to do? I do not have any income other than social security, and I cannot consider going into a "home" here in the US. In truth, I just don't know what to do.

Obrigado!

Jim
-@chefjim

For as long as  it is understood you are not their meal ticket.  If you were being short changed with your relatives, what is not to say you will get the short end of the stick with total strangers.

Besides, you have to realize floating exchange rates, and a dollar drop can have a severe negative impact on your buying power with a drop of a hat. 

And at your age, learning a new language can be quite daunting.

Now, if you are to move to Brazil, despite my forewarnings, at your age, proximity to decent public health care is a must.

Places in the South, Sao Paulo hinterlands, or Minas Gerais should be on your target list.  And relatively safe places...

A recent list was posted on youtube,, with some safe cities

Run by me your targeted destination you are being acomodated , and I will tell you what I know about it.