Itabira, Brazil

Living in Itabira means settling in a small industrial city with a strong mining backbone. The air quality can be rough due to decades of iron ore extraction, so if you’re sensitive to pollution, this isn’t the place for you. The city’s connection to poet Carlos Drummond de Andrade gives it a cultural edge, but don’t expect a bustling arts scene—this is a working-class town first.

Itabira’s proximity to Belo Horizonte (110 km) makes it a decent base for occasional city escapes, but daily life here revolves around mining and regional commerce. The elevation peaks at Alto da Mutuca, offering cooler temperatures, but the city’s infrastructure feels dated. It’s a practical choice for those tied to the mining industry, but retirees and digital nomads might find it too isolated and lacking in amenities.