the main thing for me is I dont have to work in these countries,I make enough to live off my recording royalties so I won't be applying for a work visa in any of the countries.

I've heard alot of good things about the NE & do like what I hear a lot,the beaches,weather,ladies,cost of living etc...but looking for real estate online isn't easy as some the local estate agents may not have websites setup.

Another thing about the visa in Brazil,can you leave the country for a day & get your visa renewed for another 6months?

A lot of guys do this in Thailand every 3/6months & thats how they get around the system. Is that possible out in Brasil?

Regarding the tourist visa I had stayed for 6 months then went to Argentina and Chile then came back. Even when I got my passport and entry card stolen and had to go to the federal police they were not concened that I had been in Brazil for more than 6 months this year.

My 3 month visa is about to expire again and I asked the federal police if I could have an extension. Then said no and advised to go and come back. When I asked about only being here in 6 months in any 12 twelve they said it was the law, you could be refused entry to the country depending on who was on the passport control, but they have never heard of it happening.

I think they are happy for you to spend your money here and leaving the country and returning is an indication that you have money to spend. OK I will change my mind next month when I get refused entry

Russell, regarding the fine, I would be 'happy' to be several hundred Reais to stay a long time here. It is going to cost me several hundred Reais to leave and return anyway. I would like to know if it caused any problems when you returned to the country, or did you return having a permanent visa ?

Colin,

Brazil is a great place to be.

Not sure it will get rid of your stress, lol, just a different type of stress . It is certainly much cheaper than Europe especially accomodation both to rent or buy. The North East is much cheaper and much poorer area. It has some big towns like Natal, which seems like it has reasonable infrastucture but i have only visited it and not lived there, which is always a BIG difference.

Many things here are more expensive or the same in Europe so don't expect everything to be cheaper. Your  computer/ music eqipment would be more expensive.

Captain Bill on this site has a wealth of information on the North East and I believe his wife is in real estate so look him up, he is very helpful. Thomson have recently introduced holidays and charter flights to  Natal, which are much cheaper and less flying time then to Sao Paulo. ( I think just UK winter time)

Florianopolis  in the south (population 320, 000) is meant to be a place that has a city infrastructure and beautiful beaches, although I have never been.

In many ways Brazil is modern but it is still maybe 30 years behind europe  in some respects and having to deal with goverment officials is very slow.

Bring plently of suncream, tea and an open mind and you will have a great time.

There are many articles on here of people praising and hating Brazil. It depends on your attitude but many love it here.

Cheers for that.

I have been there briefly before & know I would love to live there I just have to get over the fear of moving somewhere 'foreign' & new to me but I know once settled I'd love it.

I've heard someone mention that you can appl y for a permanent resident visa if you have 50k US Dollars to invest,is that still available?

I'm not loaded or anything like that but if Brazil was for me & I could get a permanent visa somehow then that could solve ALOT of any future hassles & of course I could raise a family there in later years.