Sorocaba Housing: Rent or Buy? A Chaotic Take from a Budget Student

so i moved to sorocaba last semester and lemme tell you, the housing market here is wild. one day you're scrolling through zillow at 2am, the next you're questioning every life choice. sorocaba isn't exactly sao paulo, but it's got its own rhythm. rents are climbing, but still way cheaper than the big city. buying? well, that's a whole other story.

*renting in sorocaba
- average 1-bedroom: r$1,200/month
- average 3-bedroom: r$2,500/month
- safety score: 7/10 (according to numbeo)

i live in a tiny studio near ufs carapicuiba campus. it's not glamorous, but it's close to everything. the trick is finding places before they hit the big listing sites. local facebook groups are gold.

buying in sorocaba
- median home price: r$350,000
- mortgage rates: ~10% (ouch)
- job market: steady in manufacturing, tech is growing

overheard at a boteco: "if you're not from here, don't even think about buying until you've lived through a rainy season. flooding is real."

weather & neighbors
right now it's hot as hell, like 32°c and humid. you'll sweat through your shirt just walking to the padaria. but hey, at least it's not snowing. sao paulo and campinas are just a short drive away if you need a weekend escape.

drunk advice from a local
"rent first, then decide. sorocaba looks chill, but wait until you've seen it during carnival traffic. also, avoid anything near av. eng. luiz charles bergmann after 6pm unless you like honking."

data table: cost of living

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