furthermore, significant improvements to the city's security via the pacification of the favelas resulted in higher real estate prices in just about all neighborhoods bordering the pacified favelas, adding to the higher cost of living.

most cariocas saw a tangible improvement of the city as a whole in recent years - improved infrastructure, security, and city programs and therefore many of the services and products increased in prices reflecting the higher costs faced by the city to sustain such improvements.

In addition to that, because of the uniqueness of the wonderful city, rio has become a world capital offering a unique mix of beaches, mountains, a developed city center and high caliber business facilities within minutes from each other - Few cities in the world can offer a multi-level shopping mall that is 20 minutes away by car from scenic beaches, the tropical rainforest and a hiking trail up the mountain and because of that, Rio is today more sought after than ever by visitors and prospecting residents alike.