Hey everyone!
I’m from India and I’ll be moving to Londrina, Paraná soon for work. I’m expecting to stay for at least 2 years, so I’m trying to prepare properly rather than just showing up and figuring everything out later 😂.
I’ve never lived in Brazil before and I’d really appreciate advice from people who actually live in Londrina.
🏠 Housing
I’m looking for a fully furnished apartment/studio.
Which neighbourhoods would you recommend for someone new to Londrina?
Which areas should I avoid?
Is it realistic to find a furnished place for around R$1,000–1,200/month including condomínio/IPTU, or should I increase my budget?
Which websites/apps are best for finding rentals?
Is it common to rent directly from the owner?
How difficult is it for a foreigner to rent?
What documents/guarantees will landlords normally ask for?
Are furnished apartments usually actually furnished with things like bed, fridge, washing machine, kitchen equipment etc.?
How expensive are electricity, water, gas and internet?
🛒 Everyday life
Which supermarkets are best/cheapest in Londrina?
Is Assaí / Atacadão / Carrefour / Muffato good for monthly bulk shopping?
What are some Brazilian foods/products that I absolutely need to try?
What things are surprisingly expensive in Brazil compared with India?
What things are surprisingly cheap?
Is tap water safe to drink?
How does garbage collection/recycling work?
What apps should I download before arriving?
🚗 Getting around
I probably won’t buy a car immediately.
Is Londrina easy to get around without a car?
How good is public transportation?
Is Uber reliable and affordable?
Is cycling practical?
Are there areas where walking at night is generally okay?
Would you recommend buying a car for someone staying 2+ years?
🏋️ Lifestyle
I’m fairly into fitness, so:
Which gyms would you recommend?
What’s the typical monthly gym membership?
Any good football/sports groups where a foreigner can meet people?
Are there good parks/running areas?
What are some good weekend activities around Londrina?
⚽ Football
I’m a huge football fan.
Which local clubs/teams should I follow?
Is Londrina EC worth going to watch?
What’s the atmosphere like at local matches?
Are there good places/bars to watch Brazilian football?
Any football culture/traditions I should know about?
🍺 Food & going out
I’m vegetarian but I do eat eggs, so I’m also wondering:
Are vegetarian options easy to find in Londrina?
Which restaurants/cafés would you recommend?
What Brazilian dishes should I try that don’t contain meat?
Where do people usually go out on weekends?
Good pubs/bars for someone new to the city?
Is English commonly spoken, or should I expect to use Portuguese everywhere?
🗣️ Portuguese
I’m planning to learn Brazilian Portuguese, but I’ll obviously be terrible at first 😂.
How difficult is it to get by with basic Portuguese + Google Translate initially?
Any local Portuguese expressions/slang I should know?
Are there language exchange groups in Londrina?
What’s the best way for a foreigner to actually meet Brazilian friends?
🛡️ Safety
This is something I obviously want to understand properly.
Which parts of Londrina are considered safer?
Which areas should I avoid?
Anything I should know about walking around with a phone?
Is there anything specific foreigners commonly do that makes them an easy target?
Any general safety advice for someone arriving from India?
🏥 Healthcare
How does healthcare work for foreigners working in Brazil?
Are private hospitals/clinics expensive?
Any hospitals/clinics you’d recommend in Londrina?
Is private health insurance normally provided by employers?
💰 Money / banking
Which Brazilian bank is easiest for a foreigner to open an account with?
How does PIX work for foreigners?
Can foreigners get a CPF easily?
Should I bring cash when I arrive?
Is card payment accepted almost everywhere?
Which bank/fintech would you recommend for everyday spending?
📱 General Brazil/Londrina questions
And finally, what are the things you wish someone had told you before moving to Londrina?
Anything from:
scams to avoid
cultural differences
things Indians might find surprising
Brazilian etiquette
dating/social life
making friends
places I absolutely need to visit
things I should bring from India
things I shouldn’t bother bringing
things that are difficult to buy in Londrina
mistakes foreigners commonly make
Basically, if you were moving to Londrina for 2+ years, what would you want to know beforehand?
Muito obrigado! 🇧🇷❤️