[VolandoVengoVolandoVoy]

So, I've decided to move to Brazil for a while (6 months to a year, maybe more depending on how things go), starting sometime in late July or the middle of August. I was initially going to do a scouting trip, but I'll figure things out once I get there. I've narrowed my list down to 7 possible locations.
My primary purpose at first is to get fluent in Portuguese, so I'm planning on picking a place and spending the first 3 months intensively studying and immersing myself, and then possibly moving somewhere else. I'm not sure whether I will do a language school or hire a private tutor for an hour or two a day and self study the rest of the time. I'm leaning towards the latter.
Secondary goals, besides the usual (weight lifting and pussy), include learning a new skill like dancing, capoeira, or surfing, and also pursuing my photography hobby.
My possible choices include Rio, Florianopolis, Porto Alegre, Recife, Joao Pessoa, Natal, and Sao Luis. I have only ever been to Rio out of these places, and would really appreciate some input from forum members who have been to the other places. I know the time of year will effect what sort of experience I have in the south.
My budget is 2-3,000 month, although the closer to 2 the better. At some point this Fall I will be coming into some money, but I don't know exactly when, and until then my savings have to last.
Also, if anyone has recent experience with Brazilian customs that would be good. I am about to start self prescribed TRT, and have about 50 amps of pharmaceutical test in its original sealed packaging that I got over the internet from a Polish supplier. I am wondering if they will notice or care that I have it in my luggage. Each 5 amp sealed package is about the size of a passport but 3 or 4 times as thick. I also have syringes and needles I would like to bring but may leave behind if those will cause issues.

[Stakes Is High]

Hey man,

I live in Florianópolis, been here for 1 year.

$2000 will be enough to live nicely. The further south, the prettier and harder to lay to girls become. Money wont go as far in the south.

Floripa is desolate from now until October. Ridiculous from November to February.

Let me know if I can help you out

[champ]

I've never been to any of the cities you listed in the North East outside of Recife, but I've been to the rest.

I would choose Rio, but I'm biased towards tier 1 cities (against the convential wisdom of RVF) because I like having access to all the amenities that a tier 1 city offers. The downsides of Rio are it's the most expensive, but you'll get by at $2k per month as long as you eat most of your meals at home and don't party more than 2-3x per week, and the carioca accent is ugliest in all of Brazil so make sure you're português teacher is not a local.

Floripa is great but logistics are a bitch if you don't have a car and it will be dead the first 3 months you are there.

Porto Alegre has good bbq and beautiful women, but other than that I found the city rather dull.

Generalizing about the NE your dollar will go farther, the women will be easier (and uglier), and the cities will be backwards shitholes outside of a few nice spots.