I'm a Black Expat AMA

[Apollo Creed]

because I´m in South America my youtube is different I saw a Youtube news show about Sao Paulo being the kidnapping capital of South America.

I´m sure that doesn´t happen in the upscale areas but even in Colombia where a kid of a kingpin was kidnapped it´s not common but if you are kidnapped in Colombia you´d be way better off paying the ransom because the cops and the special anti kidnapping taskforce ain´t gonna save you.

Is it that bad in SP?

The only "bad" part of SP you'd maybe ever end up in is Centro and that shyt is more so just a bunch of junkies and phone theft. You live a square life so there isn't a reason anyone would care about you. Colombia is a Narco state, Brazil isn't, SP has REAL money (I think most billionaires in South America and the most helicopters traveling int heir air space in the world because rich people use it to move around due to traffic) so you honestly wouldn't be important enough etheir for that to happen.

Brazil is a polarizing place where you love it or you hate it, and "we" pretty much blend in which is good and bad lol.

 

[Wiseborn]

The only "bad" part of SP you'd maybe ever end up in is Centro and that shyt is more so just a bunch of junkies and phone theft. You live a square life so there isn't a reason anyone would care about you. Colombia is a Narco state, Brazil isn't, SP has REAL money (I think most billionaires in South America and the most helicopters traveling int heir air space in the world because rich people use it to move around due to traffic) so you honestly wouldn't be important enough etheir for that to happen.

Brazil is a polarizing place where you love it or you hate it, and "we" pretty much blend in which is good and bad lol.

That seems to be the case all over south america they basically creating a ¨Hamsterdam¨ In the Centro areas That´s the case in Bogota, Medellin and Cali. I had a buddy come down expecting to see coke all over the place and that shyt is in the hood and in Centro stay out of those places and your gucci.

 

[Mike809]

How do you deal with the Power cuts in the DR?

I was in Naco in Santo Domingo...and the apartment I was staying at...the tower had it's own back-up generator but the electricity would rarely go out in that area anyways .

 

[Apollo Creed]

That seems to be the case all over south america they basically creating a ¨Hamsterdam¨ In the Centro areas That´s the case in Bogota, Medellin and Cali. I had a buddy come down expecting to see coke all over the place and that shyt is in the hood and in Centro stay out of those places and your gucci.

SP kinda has some gentrification going on in their Centro compared the most Centros in Colombian cities you really have no reason to be there besides the Museum or some shyt lol

 

[Wiseborn]

I was in Naco in Santo Domingo...and the apartment I was staying at...the tower had it's own back-up generator but the electricity would rarely go out in that area anyways .

yeah I used to knock around in Naco and Piantini

 

[Wiseborn]

what“s in my travel bag

I carry an old but reliable Nitecore P20ix Flashlight. Colombia doesn“t have Blackouts like that but having a flashlight come in handy if you get one makes sure it has a strobe (flashing lights) feature for signaling and blinding an attacker also it should have a rechargable USB cord so you can charge it anywhere

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Another thing in countries with power issues is you want a piece of paper with inportant numbers on it in case you lose or are robbed of your phone and wallet.

 

[Wiseborn]

too good not to share.

 

[Wiseborn]

Money sending apps.

If you have to send money to yourself or to pay for something big overseas then Moneygram is better than Western Union

Wise charges a Fee but it has a better excahnge rate than you get from Remitly or Revolut.

Things change and not all apps work it all countries so use Monito.com to jusge your exact situation

https://www.monito.com/

 

[Wiseborn]

Money saving hacks. Most people sign up for shyt they don´t use. I suggest getting either a prepaid credit card or a debit card solely for random things that you signed up for. That way if Netflix Hulu Prime and Peacock costs too much and you want to downgrade You can see it better if your put it on one designated card Then you can decide on want you really need vs shyt that you can get rid of.

 

[Wiseborn]

What´s in my wallet (this card aint there yet but I´m apply for it when I get back to the states The Capital One Savor rewards cash Back card. Up to 8% cash back on all purchases. No annual fee and no foriegn transaction fees.

 

[Wiseborn]

Dollar app.

The Dollar app works like Cash app in the states but better because you can transfer money to yourself ( they have a physical card) and get cash from an ATM at competitive fees. A schwab card is better because you only have to pay ATM fees but one advantage of the Dollar app is that you can not only transfer money to other people with the Dollar app but you can use it as a credit card.

Even if you buy things on Mercado Libre ( usually better prices than Amazon) They don´t always take creditcards especially Mastercards. Again you can and should get a good international fee free card like the Capital One Savor rewards card but the dollar app is good in a pinch and remember two cards is better than one.

 

[Wiseborn]

Traditional IRA´s can set you up for a Tax bomb.

Better for most to pay as you go with taxes then to let the government take what they want when you retire. If you expect to have more money at 60 than you have now consider a Roth

 

[Wiseborn]

foreign business advice.

Rule number 1 DON´T.... The end.

But if you do you´d better understand the business in and out Know yourself, Know you´re suppliers and know your market and customers. Usually in Expat run businesses Your client base will be other expats and they´ll be supporting you so you´ll have to use sweat equity and you´ll have to be very popular with expats to make a business work.

You also need to know the laws and how businesses work in your market.

Finally if you´re starting or buying a business actually own the business. meaning own the means of production meaning If you open a coffee shop own the building because if it fails you can always sell the building If you just own the business rent payments will eat into your profits.

 

[Wiseborn]

Home buying advice

 

[Wiseborn]

Home security tips

I have a friend who prefers a Power over Ethernet system as if your lights go out your wi fi goes out too

so he reccomends this the Lorex 4k wired dome security camera

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