I get why people move to Dubai. It makes sense for a lot of people, and I’m not here to trash anyone’s choices. This is just my personal reasoning for why Brazil — and more specifically Florianópolis — made far more sense for me and my family.
For us, the decision came down to a few things: safety, culture, language, cost of living, climate, and whether the place felt like somewhere we could actually build a real life. On those criteria, Brazil won.
A personal connection to Latin America
The first thing is that we already had a genuine connection to Latin America. My wife is Colombian, so moving somewhere in this part of the world made sense from the start.
That mattered to us more than people probably realise. We didn’t just want to move abroad for the sake of it. We wanted to live somewhere that felt connected to who we are, where the culture felt familiar in some ways and meaningful in others.
Brazil wasn’t chosen because it was “Brazil” in some abstract sense. It was chosen because Florianópolis happened to fit the life we wanted.
Safety in the real world
Safety was a major factor for us, but it had to be looked at properly. A lot of people talk about Brazil as if it’s one single experience, but that’s not how it works. Where you live matters.
Florianópolis feels relatively safe, and that was one of the biggest reasons we chose it. I’m not pretending it’s Dubai-level safe, because it isn’t. But it is possible to live in parts of Latin America that are perfectly manageable and feel comfortable day to day.
That’s why I never liked the idea of making a decision based on headlines alone. Some cities in Latin America are risky, but some are not. The same is true almost everywhere. You have to look at the actual neighbourhood, the local context, and the reality on the ground.
Culture and authenticity
Another big reason I preferred Brazil was culture. I wanted somewhere that felt alive, rooted, and real.
Dubai, to me, has always felt sterile. It’s a city built around affluence, luxury, and showing off wealth. That may appeal to some people, but it’s the opposite of what I want from life. I prefer something humbler, more grounded, and more connected to nature and local identity.
Brazil gives me that. Around here I’m surrounded by greenery, beaches, mountains, and a more natural way of living. That matters to me far more than shopping malls, indoor ski slopes, or artificial luxury.
Language matters
I also wanted to live somewhere where I’d actually have to learn and use the local language.
In Brazil, that means Portuguese. And honestly, I think that’s a gift. After a year here, I feel more confident speaking Portuguese than I ever expected to. That only happened because I had no choice but to use it.
Dubai is different. English is the common language for most expats, which makes day-to-day life easier, but it also means you can live there for years without really integrating. You can stay in a bubble and never properly engage with the local culture.
That wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to expand my horizons, not shrink them.
Cost of living and schooling
Brazil also wins very clearly on cost of living.
Even in Florianópolis, which is one of the more expensive cities in Brazil, life is still dramatically cheaper than the UK, North America, or Dubai. That applies across the basics: housing, food, entertainment, and daily living.
Schooling is a big example. We pay around $300 to $400 per month per child here, which is far more manageable than what you’d likely face in Dubai. Housing is also much more expensive there, and so is food, especially because so much has to be imported.
Here, Brazil produces a lot of its own food. There’s a stronger local supply chain, cheaper labour, and generally a much lower cost base. That means your money goes further in a very real way.
Climate and natural surroundings
One of the biggest things I could not deal with in Dubai is the heat.
I know people adapt to it, and I’m sure plenty of people do well there, but I don’t want to spend my life moving from one air-conditioned room to another just to avoid oppressive desert heat. That doesn’t feel like a good life to me.
In the south of Brazil, the climate is much more varied. You get warm periods, cooler periods, and a much more comfortable balance overall. And because the environment changes, it never feels monotonous.
That’s important to me. I want beaches, forests, mountains, wildlife, and proper outdoor life. I don’t want to live in a place that feels like a giant shopping centre dropped into the desert.
Lifestyle and values
At a deeper level, this was also about the kind of culture I want my kids to grow up around.
I don’t like the idea of raising children in an environment where status and wealth are constantly on display. Dubai can become a place where everyone is measuring themselves against everyone else — the car you drive, the house you live in, the brands you wear, the money you make.
That doesn’t appeal to me at all.
I’d rather my family grow up around nature, movement, sport, and a more balanced way of life. Beach days, trekking, surfing, outdoor routines, and genuine local culture matter more to me than material competition.
Freedom and social norms
Another reason Brazil felt better is that it gives you more room to live normally.
Dubai has a reputation for being restrictive in ways that don’t fit my values. I understand why some people prefer stricter social rules, but I don’t want to live somewhere where you have to constantly worry about what you can say, how you behave in public, or whether you’re crossing invisible lines.
In South America, things feel more relaxed. The social atmosphere is more open, the nightlife is more natural, and personal freedom feels less constrained.
That doesn’t mean anything goes. It just means the balance feels healthier to me.
Healthcare and practical life
Healthcare costs were another factor.
In Brazil, you can get good-quality private healthcare for a fraction of what it would cost in Dubai. You can also get routine tests and services done without paying absurd amounts. For a family, that makes a difference.
There’s also the broader question of how easy it is to build a normal life. In Brazil, the whole setup feels more human. Property is more affordable, rent is more manageable, and you don’t need an extreme income just to maintain a decent standard of living.
That reduces pressure. And reducing pressure is underrated.
Long-term thinking
I also think about the long term.
Dubai is stable in one sense, but it’s not the kind of place I’d want my children to grow up in forever. I can imagine living there for a few years, maybe even longer if your circumstances suit it. But for me, it doesn’t feel like a place to build a deeply rooted family life.
Brazil feels more like a place where you can actually settle into a rhythm. You can create routines, join a community, explore the country, and stay connected to nature and culture while still living a practical, modern life.
That’s the life I wanted.
Final thoughts
Final Verdict
If your priorities are:
✓ Luxury
✓ Safety
✓ Fast career growth
Dubai may be the better choice.
If your priorities are:
✓ Nature
✓ Family life
✓ Culture
✓ Lower living costs
Brazil may be a better fit.
For my family, Brazil was the clear winner
