Santos, Brazil

Living in Santos means dealing with a city that’s both practical and quirky. Officially named Municipality of Estância Balneária de Santos, it’s a coastal city in São Paulo state, mostly on the island of São Vicente. The beachfront garden here holds a Guinness World Record, stretching over 5 kilometers, but don’t expect pristine beaches — this is a working port city first.

Santos is affordable, with one-bedroom rents in the city center hovering around $390, but the cost savings come with trade-offs. The port brings noise and traffic, and while the Coffee Museum and Pelé’s football memorial are nice touches, daily life here feels more functional than glamorous. The weather is humid year-round, and the city’s layout can feel disjointed due to its island geography.

This city works best for budget-conscious expats who don’t mind a gritty edge and want proximity to São Paulo without its chaos. It’s not for those seeking luxury or a picture-perfect beach town.