[floridamedellin]

I have been watching the dollar strengthen the past year and am particularly excited about two currencies. The Euro and the Brazilian Real.

Looking at Rio de Janeiro real estate has always been depressing. In Ipanema you could pick up 400 square feet with a shower you cant turn around in for 500k. This has changed recently. Now you can get that same apartment for 250k. Upgrade to a 2 bedroom 800 sq. feet you can get in around 350-400 USD. Not all that bad considering its a world class beach city. To ask the question....is Rio the best beach city in the world?

For those who think so why? Why not? Whats the situation with the Women? Last time I was there was 2012 and I met two nice Women but it didn't seem particularly easy.

Any other opinions on what is the best beach city in the world?

[Orson]

Wouldn't the "Best Beach Cities in The World" list have to have places like Honolulu, Miami, Capetown, Brisbane, along with Rio, on it?

Maybe Barcelona, Montevideo (Carrasco), and Sydney? Something (from an impressively long list) from Mexico, too? - unless you define "Beach Cities" eligibles as around a million people or larger.

Ideas, mates?

[Dantes]

(03-13-2015 07:28 PM)floridamedellin Wrote:  

I have been watching the dollar strengthen the past year and am particularly excited about two currencies. The Euro and the Brazilian Real.

Looking at Rio de Janeiro real estate has always been depressing. In Ipanema you could pick up 400 square feet with a shower you cant turn around in for 500k. This has changed recently. Now you can get that same apartment for 250k. Upgrade to a 2 bedroom 800 sq. feet you can get in around 350-400 USD. Not all that bad considering its a world class beach city. To ask the question....is Rio the best beach city in the world?

For those who think so why? Why not? Whats the situation with the Women? Last time I was there was 2012 and I met two nice Women but it didn't seem particularly easy.

Any other opinions on what is the best beach city in the world?

Rio is one of my favorite cities and if you factor in girls, I would say it is the best beach city that I have been to. I had a chance to buy in 2005 in Copa and would have made good money. I have not been following real estate there recently. Are you saying you can buy an apartment for 250 k dollars in Ipanema now?

[floridamedellin]

(03-15-2015 08:50 AM)Orson Wrote:  

Wouldn't the "Best Beach Cities in The World" list have to have places like Honolulu, Miami, Capetown, Brisbane, along with Rio, on it?

Maybe Barcelona, Montevideo (Carrasco), and Sydney? Something (from an impressively long list) from Mexico, too? - unless you define "Beach Cities" eligibles as around a million people or larger.

Ideas, mates?

Hey Orson of the cities you mentioned I have spent time in Miami and Barcelona. I lived in Mexico for a year when I was 18 and traveled the west coast of Mexico by car so I know most of the beaches on that coast.

Barcelona while a great city has a couple unforgivable problems IMO. First the Catalanas are real conservative, quiet, depressed, whatever you want to call it. I have never been to a place with more boring people. My first week in Barcelona I was ready to buy. The prices are excellent for real estate, the city clean and safe, great architecture, excellent choice of restaurants and places to wine and dine. it checked every box I was looking for. Second week there I was thinking the people were the biggest depressives I have ever met. They make the Ecuadorians seem down right lively.

Miami is a fun city with a great beach. I really cant fault it much besides maybe its a little spread out and the summers are 90 plus most days.

Mexico I think has a lot to offer as far as beach cities. Acapulco from what I remember had a great beach, excellent food and beautiful Women. Living there sounds a little schetchy. Nearing 100 murders per 100k people seems too high for me to feel comfortable. In comparison Medellin where I live 6 months a year is around 35 per 100k and you still have to be vigilant here.

I guess to make a beach city the best would be weather, women, prices, good transportation, clean beach, surfing, great food, friendly people

[floridamedellin]

(03-15-2015 09:12 AM)Dantes Wrote:  

(03-13-2015 07:28 PM)floridamedellin Wrote:  

I have been watching the dollar strengthen the past year and am particularly excited about two currencies. The Euro and the Brazilian Real.

Looking at Rio de Janeiro real estate has always been depressing. In Ipanema you could pick up 400 square feet with a shower you cant turn around in for 500k. This has changed recently. Now you can get that same apartment for 250k. Upgrade to a 2 bedroom 800 sq. feet you can get in around 350-400 USD. Not all that bad considering its a world class beach city. To ask the question....is Rio the best beach city in the world?

For those who think so why? Why not? Whats the situation with the Women? Last time I was there was 2012 and I met two nice Women but it didn't seem particularly easy.

Any other opinions on what is the best beach city in the world?

Rio is one of my favorite cities and if you factor in girls, I would say it is the best beach city that I have been to. I had a chance to buy in 2005 in Copa and would have made good money. I have not been following real estate there recently. Are you saying you can buy an apartment for 250 k dollars in Ipanema now?

Yeah looks like something pretty basic in Ipanema you can pick up for around 800k Brazilian Real. Exhange rate is 3.25 to 1 right now.

What pricing were you looking at in Copa at the time? You can buy cheap in Copa but the areas can be a little rough around the edges.

I want to live in a beach city 4 month a year so I could probably get away with buying a 1 bed 40 sq meters and renovating the bathrooms and kitchen and rent it out as a vacation rental 8 months a year. Im thinking with the strength of the dollar now seems like the time to pull the trigger.

What stopped you from buying in 2005?

[Dantes]

It's been ten years but I believe the apartment on copa was going for 80k, three blocks from posto 5. I also looked at a two bedroom in ipanema for about 180 k.

Big mistake not buying. I got gun shy.

[floridamedellin]

(03-15-2015 01:36 PM)Dantes Wrote:  

It's been ten years but I believe the apartment on copa was going for 80k, three blocks from posto 5. I also looked at a two bedroom in ipanema for about 180 k.

Big mistake not buying. I got gun shy.

Looks like 80k is the lowest end in Copa right now and 180k would be the most basic apartment in Ipanema now. Im concentrating on the area and a view....everything else i will compromise on.

[Adrenaline]

(03-15-2015 08:50 AM)Orson Wrote:  

Wouldn't the "Best Beach Cities in The World" list have to have places like Honolulu, Miami, Capetown, Brisbane, along with Rio, on it?

Maybe Barcelona, Montevideo (Carrasco), and Sydney? Something (from an impressively long list) from Mexico, too? - unless you define "Beach Cities" eligibles as around a million people or larger.

Ideas, mates?

Brisbane doesn't have any beaches so count that one out.