mberigan
American expat in Brazil
Forum posts
401
About me
American
Lives in Campina Grande, Paraiba
Speaks Portuguese, English
Registration: 21 January 2020
About
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
Campina Grande, Paraiba, Brazil
Madison, Wisconsin, USA
Activity
Itajai, Santa Catarina by Debs27
Hello allI'm looking for any groups in itajai or Balneário Camboriu for expats to share.I'm going to be moving with my 2 girls in January and am going to need to purchase lots of household items (would be great to find good quality second ...
@Debs27 Where I live (northeast) it is not usual to find second hand anything. I think it is mostly because people pass along unused goods to family or people in need..... or just hang on to things until they are beyond repair. If you shop around ... Read More
Most common payment methods in Brazil by Cheryl
Hello everyone, Moving to Brazil, even simple things like paying for groceries or a coffee can feel different. In order to help fellow expats and soon-to-be expats better prepare for their daily transactions, we invite you to share your insights ...
@hagece8690Nice response.I'd only add that (location dependent) "bargaining" is a tradition where I live but it is rapidly vanishing. Still, one should always try. Minimally, act as if you're going to charge your purchase for the best price you can ... Read More
Moving to João Pessoa This Winter Looking to Connect by Adam Moulton
I’m an American planning to move to João Pessoa this winter and stay for at least a few months. I’m currently learning Portuguese and would love to connect with people who already live there, both expats and locals.I’m ...
@Adam MoultonIs this a permanent move?Welcome to the nordeste!mberigan Read More
João Pessoa by mikewelke
Hello everybody just wondering if there's any expats living in JP like I am? Hopefully I will get some results. I am from the US my name is Mike and I'm married to a Brazilian woman
@Sara.siva0909@mikewelkeWekcome to Paraíba! mberigan in Campina and the interior Read More
Word(s) of the day by alexanderstephenlange
Queijo no queixo faz uma queixa!Please add to this thread, friends.
@CariocaNY I also want to point out that many people think that "jeitinho" (ele deu um jeitinho) is the same as "gambiarra" (ele fez uma gambiarra). People like to think of them both as some kind of adapted "skunkworks" - an agile and talented ... Read More
Having trouble with credit card and debit card working by NewBrazil
Just when yesterday and today to my local supermarket to buy groceries. When I tried to pay with my international credit card it didn’t work. Called my bank they said everything thing should work. In the same store tryed to use my ...
@hagece8690 I'm confused by this observation of CC being more secure than PIX or debit. I know of a numner of times when somebody's dards/phone got ripped off and the thieves make a huge effort at small (under R$100 CC charges before the bank ... Read More
Noisy Brazil? by alexanderstephenlange
The other day, speaking with a native, she said: Brasil é muito barulhento, né?! (She had lived in Germany for a long while... .)In my area, so far, it's really noisy only when something big is happening, like the Copa and other ...
LOL! There are "good" noises and "bad" noises.I kinda like the pamonha guy. We live among corn people; Xerem, canjica, cozido ou assado, munguzá and bolo de fubá!!.... but I agree that the roaming loudspeaker advertising, usually done ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@alexanderstephenlange Tell the truth alexsanderstephanlange!!! WHO in California is R-E-A-L-L-Y from California?? LOL! ?? 😎But I identify with your feelings. Once I've told the person that I'm "estadunidense" I rectify that by adding that ... Read More
Starlink use in Brazil by Boondog
@abthree Thank you for responding. Yes, I bought a home in Casemiro de Abreu in the state of Rio they should be moving there sometime September October. Do you have any experience with Starlink in rural areas?Thanks again for your input. Regards. ...
@Boondog Hi there! I will do A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G to NOT use anything by Elon Musk just as I do my best (not always possible) to stay away from funding Bezos. I do my best to support my local community in every way possible.That said - I have a rural ... Read More
Word(s) of the day by alexanderstephenlange
Queijo no queixo faz uma queixa!Please add to this thread, friends.
@alexanderstephenlangeThe champion paraibano of the topic is Jessier Quirino, originally from Campina Grande but lives in Itabaiana.Here's his 11 page list of northeastern (mostly RN, PB & PB) ... Read More
Assimilation: when is enough enough? by alexanderstephenlange
TL; DR some thoughts on plugging in (or not) to the culture/society. All comments welcome! How important to you is assimilation into Brazilian society? Do you even find yourself contemplating it? Is it self-imposed or something unconscious you don't ...
@Pablo888 Brazil has so many different ethnicities and immigrant groups that I find it hard to believe you don't at least look somewhat like a Brazilian. Makes me want to ask you to post a picture. > [snip] [snip] - @alexanderstephenlangeWhich ... Read More
New members of the Brazil forum, introduce yourselves here - 2026 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Brazil forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
@alexanderstephenlangeBem vindo and glad to hear of your return! mberigan Read More
Looking for experiences in Rural areas with HughesNet by mberigan
Hi!I have a home in a rural area unserved by telephone services but that does have Internet. Initially, the area started with radio Internet and that helped people with communication and basic Internet services. Streaming works OK and generally ...
I'm sticking with a radio connection until I figure out a few other things. I'll send you a note. Read More
My Debit card is stuck in Customs by NewBrazil
Has anyone experience with having a debit card or credit card replacement sent from the USA. Right now my replacement debit card they are saying. Your package has been delayed due to a Government Agency hold. It showed it passed thru the scan the ...
@Peter Itamaraca, @NewBrazilHere's an additional trick to add to Peter's.... have the trusted recipient friend send you images (obviously using end-to-end encryption like with Whatsapp - you might not even need images) and add the card to your ... Read More
With fuel prices soaring, how are you getting around in Brazil? by Veedushi
Hello everyone!In many countries, transportation costs are becoming a real challenge for expats. Some are completely changing their habits: using public transport more often, carpooling, switching to scooters… or cycling.In Denmark, for ...
@Kurterino "...I would only use pure gasoline..." There really isn't any pure gasoline here in Brazil. It seems that even the high grade called "aditivado" or "grid" is about 30% anhydrous ethanol and I don't know how well STA-BIL deals with the ... Read More