Fortaleza Travel Forum

Hello again,

Would anyone be able to tell me a good area to rent in? I would like something low end, but not a dump. Safe, clean, and affordable. A bachelor would be ideal for just getting started in the city.

I don't know where the English schools are, so it's impossible to exactly identify where I should live to be near work, so I'm just wondering about a decent area that is more or less central, etc.

Also I am wondering what I should expect to pay for an apartment. Just a range would be helpful. Am I looking at say between 500 and 800 dollars, or between 200 and 400 for example?

Another question is the kind of lease generally required in Fortaleza. And also since I won't have a work visa, does that create any obstacles?

Any help will be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Craig (my real name)

Thanks for the info Martin. I'll send you real estate clients if you send me Structural Integration and Craniosacral Therapy clients. I'm glad to be getting networking invites already.

I'll be the only person in the city practicing these two therapeutic diciplines which are highly sought after in the U.S. and Canada.

Cheers,
Craig

The best areas to be looking at are, Meireles, Aldeota and Iracema. These are central (Meirales and Iracema are at the beach and Aldeota is just behind Meireles), safe and the nicest suburbs for apartments.

Aldeota is one of the main shopping areas, with a nice small mall (it has a cinema, and good news is the movies are in English with Portugese subtitles), lots of Boutique and high end shops, there's even an Apple store.

Meireles is where the main beach drag of Biera Mar is and where most of the main 4 and 5 star hotels are. The beach promenade here comes alive at night with the market (mainly tourist stuff), joggers and walkers etc. (think Venice beach).

Iracema is right next to Meireles on the beach, but it's quiter and perhaps a little seedier/earthier. The Pont Inglais (a Victorian style Pier) is here, as is the Art and Culture centre.

These are the best parts of central Fortaleza and are where I'd recommend. Apartments are all high rises and will have been built within the last 10-15 years. As for prices well take your pick. It's possible to rent an apartment for as little as $200... per month! Obviously that's going to be pretty tiny and very basic. For somewhere resonable about $4-500 per month will do the job, and upward for more luxury and a better view.

It's probably best to get there first and contact a local agent than trying to find stuff online. Most of it is in Portugese, great if you speak language, and that which is in English is maily holiday rentals so double the prices. Check into central hotel (in one of these 3 areas) and cruise the shops, you'll find loads of agents and go from there. The choice is huge!