One's employer can act as guarantor. Rio De Janiero People say Rio used to be much nicer, but it is still spectacular with its hills that thrust almost straight up from the water, its beaches and high-rises. It's a crowded city, with 7 million Cariocas, and about a third live in the favelas that cover many of the hillsides. Rio epitomizes the Brazilian lust for life. A Mecca for tourists, it's not a bad place to work either.
Public transportation is efficient, and traffic keeps moving although pockets of pollution exist.
Also, summer weather is hot and humid. Also Livraria Siciliana, a chain with several branches. Some of the bookstores in Ipanema also have cafes. Most middle class housing is in the zona sul , which is separated from the zona norte by the mountains called Serra da Carioca. Ipanema and Leblon and the Avenida Oswaldo Cruz area of Flamengo are among the desirable areas.