Originally posted by sven Sure it can he justified. The copa will be here, we'll have olimpics here. Besides, it's Rio, Zona Sul. Prices will go up now Rio is world heritage. You should be proud to be allowed to spend 2k for a shoe box that doesn't fit a bed and a table!

Seriously, I think (thanks to gRobo) most Brazilians dream of living in Rio's Sul. I honestly don't believe there is an American equivelant. While I think that Rio, in general, is suffering a huge real estate bubble and massive inflation, I am starting to honestly believe that property in the "famous" Z. Sul (Ipanema - Copa - Leblon and maybe even Urca, Gavea, Jardim Botanico e Lagoa) won't see a huge fall in the future. Plenty of Brazilians from around the country and abroad will always dream of returning and living in these "exclusive" areas. I doubt it'll change much.

Overall, I agree with the sarcasm, but I think that Globo, in terms of Brazlian culture and tradition, outweighs logica, when determining fashion and living arrangements.

If you aren't willing to suck it up and pay the current prices, you probably won't be willing to live here in the future as well.

Ipanema and Leblon are very nice places, comparable to Miami or LA. I wasn't that impressed with the rest of Zona Sul, including Copacabana.

I hate to talk bad about Rio because the people are so nice, gorgeous women, but it really sucks paying 20 bucks to get a few pounds of laundry done. I came here very excited but I've decided to explore other parts of Brazil because I can't justify paying these prices, and I don't understand why the locals haven't started an Egypt style revolution either.

Originally posted by pyth0n Ipanema and Leblon are very nice places, comparable to Miami or LA. I wasn't that impressed with the rest of Zona Sul, including Copacabana. I hate to talk bad about Rio because the people are so nice, gorgeous women, but it really sucks paying 20 bucks to get a few pounds of laundry done. I came here very excited but I've decided to explore other parts of Brazil because I can't justify paying these prices, and I don't understand why the locals haven't started an Egypt style revolution either.

Connection Rio hostels have self serve laundry for R$6 wash and R$6 to dry ... better than any of the laundry mats.