I have a friend looking for an apartment in Rio for a year lease. He is looking for something nice, clean, in a safe area and fully furnished and not expensive. Any suggestions?

I have a friend looking for an apartment in Rio for a year lease. He is looking for something nice, clean, in a safe area and fully furnished and not expensive. Any suggestions?

Oz, when I was there last week, the news was that real estate had gone up 15 - 20% in the previous week due to the Olympics announcement! Don't know if this is a temporay bubble or not, but he may have a hard time finding something not expensive in a "safe" area like Ipanema.

The locals were also laughing about Rio being able to get the infrastructure completed in time for the Olympics, as there are 4 different venues spread across the city and right now the largest highway is 3 lanes each way and like a parking lot 1/2 the time! The tunnels going into Rio can't be enlarged and the one major highway leading from the city to the airport is raised for over a mile in one part and again no way to widen it. Rumor is that there will be Cruise ships anchored to provide additional hotel rooms needed.