Salvador, Bahia: find quality of life, infrastructure, and safety

Between high-standard apartments and bucolic houses, Salvador provides a quality of life with various services and other facilities on the coast of Bahia.

Living in Salvador has many benefits, especially if you live in one of its safest neighborhoods.

These regions, in the city that is one of the Northeast’s metropolises, offer good infrastructure, differentiated services, good educational institutions, and high-standard housing for several lifestyles, from those who prefer more contact with nature to those who like something more urban.

If you are considering joining the “soteropolitanos” (people born in Salvador) in one of the best cities in the Northeast, see below what we have selected to tell you a little more about the safest neighborhoods in Salvador.

• Alphaville
• Graça
• Ondina
• Jardim Apipema
• Itapuã
• Imbuí
• Ribeira

Besides the natural beauties of Salvador, there are many options for quality housing in every corner of this city.

Blessed by the Bay of All Saints, you will see that it is not difficult to find reasons to live well amidst the rich cultural aspects of this unique place.

THE SAFEST NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE VIEW OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN SALVADOR

Now, in the view of those who live in Salvador, as is the case of nutritionist Mariana Cristina, who has been living for almost 10 years in the Bahia Capital and has been going there since she was a child, the feeling of safety can vary as in any other region.

Mariana Cristina, Nutritionist and resident of Salvador for almost 10 years, says:

“Neighborhoods with greater safety in Salvador are upscale, like Alphaville, Graça, Barra, Ondina, Jardim Apipema, and Pituba. And there are neighborhoods like Brotas, Nazaré, Piatã, Itapuã, and Imbuí that are at a lower level. But as in any other city, the same neighborhood that you think is safe can be dangerous and vice versa”.

Mariana also says that although Salvador is famous for its carnival, it has less traffic out of season.

“Rio Vermelho and Imbuí are busy with bars and some concert venues, but Salvador is a city that lives off carnival, so more people are around during this period.”

And even with its busy nightlife, the nutritionist also comments that Salvador has quiet streets with a familiar atmosphere.

In the Lower City, where neighborhoods like Ribeira, Bonfim, and Monte Serrat are located, you can find small streets with children playing.

We list some options below so you can learn more about the infrastructure in these and other neighborhoods.

ALPHAVILLE

If gated communities and high-standard houses are the type of housing you are looking for, the Alphaville region in Salvador can be an option to live with quality.

Close to the Flamboyant subway, by Av. Luís Viana Filho, which connects to several regions of the Capital of Bahia, Alphaville reserves an infrastructure that offers convenience without giving up being a few distances from essential services and higher education institutions.

Alphaville is near Shopping Paralela and the UNIFTC campus, close to the Tamburugy station. Conversely, the Pituaçu subway leads to the Catholic University of Salvador (UCSal).

What to find in Alphaville:

• Alphaville Lagoon
• Santander
• Drogasil
• RedeMix
• Infinity Gym
• Almacen Pepe Alphaville
• Alpha Mall
• Agromix Alphaville
• Alphapets Clinic
• Bravo Burguer
• Cantina Volpi Alphaville
• Mcdonald’s
• Bigfort Pharmacies

GRAÇA

In the vicinity of the Corredor da Vitória, where there are influential cultural centers, such as the Art, Geological, and Carlos Pinto Costa museums, the noble neighborhood of Graça provides an infrastructure full of amenities.

Near the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA) campuses, the Graça neighborhood has many quality services nearby.

It is also a few meters from some of Salvador’s hospitals: the Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos (HUPES), the Hospital Português da Bahia, and the Hospital Santo Amaro.

In a traditional region, Graça offers a wooded atmosphere, in parts almost by the sea, with bus lines circulating around the neighborhood, cultural attractions, and several high-standard condominiums.

What to find in Graça:

• Bank of Brazil
• Drogasil
• São Paulo DRUGSTORE
• Bluefit
• Smartfit
• Palacete das Artes Museum
• Pequenópolis
• Prime Institute of Personalized Teaching
• Mix Bahia
• Hiperideal
• Total Supermarkets
• Dimercatto Delicatessen
• Yokoyama Sushi Bar
• Andina Latin Cuisine
• Solange Coffee
• Fratello Pizzaria
• Chopp Shop
• Shiro
• Frio Gostoso
• Graçaí
• Centervet
• Pet Belinha

ONDINA

Region of the Raul Seixas Campus, with several academic centers of the Federal University of Bahia (UFBA), Ondina is one of the neighborhoods that mix good residences and commerce, offering a sense of security to its residents.

The photo illustrating the article about the safest neighborhoods in Salvador shows an aerial view of a beach, Ondina beach, in Salvador, where the blue sea appears on the left, and the promenade appears on the right.

Many of the region’s services are spread along the Milton Santos and Oceanica Avenues, where bus lines circulate. Still, it is on the latter that is the access to the Ondina beachfront, a must in Salvador to contemplate the sunset and enjoy the leisure and physical activities in the open air.

In addition to the natural beauty and the monuments scattered around the neighborhood, such as the sculptures of As Meninas do Brasil and Clériston Andrade, Ondina is also home to the Praça Adhemar de Barros, marked by the Bloco Camaleão and the Getúlio Vargas Zoo and Botanical Park.

What to find in Ondina:

• Redeemix
• Bank of Brazil
• Itaú Personnalité
• Post Office
• Jorge Valente Hospital
• Mine Preço Grocery Store
• Emporio Avenida
• Ondina Delicatessen
• Getúlio Vargas Zoo and Botanical Park
• Alfredo’Ro Restaurant
• Di Liana Restaurant
• Restaurante Sertão e Mar
• Emporio Coisas de Minas
• Sanctuary of São Lázaro and São Roque
• Aldeia Health Club

JARDIM APIPEMA

Between Graça and Ondina, Jardim Apipema is a neighborhood with high-standard buildings and good houses in a strategic location.

Two of the main accesses to the place are through important avenues of Salvador, such as Av. do Centenário, which facilitates the integration with other parts of the city, and Av. Oceânica, which connects to the beachfront of Salvador.

In Jardim Apipema, where you will find a good commercial and differentiated services infrastructure, is the Manoel Dias de Moraes Square, which has a pleasant place for your pet to play freely.

What to find in Jardim Apipema:

• Drogasil
• Hiperideal
• Apipema Supermarket
• English Culture
• Apipão
• Apipema Center Shopping Center
• Casa da Amizade Municipal School
• Cantina Volpi
• Casa Lisboa Restaurant
• Mariposa Jardim Apipema
• Calzoneria 33
• Frutas & Cia
• Vibe Fitness Academy

ITAPUÃ

Eternalized in Dorival Caymmi’s verses, Itapuã is a neighborhood that holds a piece of Salvador’s environmental heritage, the Metropolitan Park of Abaeté, formed by lagoons and dunes.

By the great avenue that bears the poet’s name and crosses the neighborhood, you will find many services in Itapuã.

And it is not by chance that you can also access the beach, where the statue of the Mermaid of Itapuã is located, and very close to the delicious Acarajé de Cira.

Itapuã is close to the Mussurunga Station, by Paralela Avenue, which also connects to other neighborhoods in the city and the Salvador Agricultural Exhibition Park.

Leaving Rua do Farol de Itapuã, you are also a few meters from Stella Maris Beach, a complete neighboring infrastructure with stores, schools, and restaurants nearby.

What to find in Itapuã:

• Super Bompreço
• RedeMix Atacado
• Novo Mix Supermarket
• Itaú Bank
• Bank of Brazil
• Post Office
• Caixa Bank
• Drogaria São Paulo
• Drogasil
• Pague Menos Pharmacy
• Delicatessen Deliciar
• Mister Pão Delicatessen
• Bahia Shopping
• Americanas
• Magazine Luiza
• Ki-Mukeka Itapuã
• Churrascaria e Choperia Fest Sol
• Pizzaria Do Professor
• Restaurant Mistura Itapuã
• Fit Prime
• Pet Kit
• UPA Dr. Hélio Machado

IMBUÍ

Neighboring Caminho das Árvores, where the Salvador Shopping Mall and the Rede Sarah de Hospitais de Reabilitação are located, Imbuí is one of the city’s neighborhoods that offers a sense of security and good housing options, with high-end condominiums.

Easy access, stores, and leisure areas are some of the attractive points of Imbuí.

There is a nearby subway station and important roads, such as Paralela and Luís Viana Filho Avenues, Jorge Amado Avenue, and Rua das Araras.

Near the Regional Courthouse, besides the subway, you have several kiosks, such as Bar do Carneiro and Nova Alegria, and the Imbuí Square, with a skateboarding rink, hamburger restaurants, and the Prof. Barros campus of Salvador University.

What to find in Imbuí:

• Dom Bosco School
• Vilas School
• Turma da Mônica School
• Sainte Odile School
• Federal Institute of Bahia
• Shopping Imbuí Plaza
• Caboatã Shopping
• Gaivota Shopping
• Silver Shopping do Imbuí
• Extra Hipermercado
• Super Bompreço
• Zurca Boteco
• Ribeira Ice Cream Parlor
• Boutique do Pão Delicatessen
• Imbuí Burger & Bar
• Petz
• Smartfit
• Crossfit Malta
• Imbuí Master Shopping Center
• Street Mall Imbuí
• 6th Army Police Battalion

RIBEIRA

Ribeira is a historic fishing village with a bucolic atmosphere and military area, close to the beaches of Penha and Bugari.

Less than 15 km by car from Farol da Barra, this is one of the safest neighborhoods in Salvador, with easy access by some bus lines and by the Plataforma-Ribeira maritime crossing terminal.

This region can be an option if you are looking for a more residential area than a commercial one.

In fact, much of the existing housing is old houses and fewer apartments.

Its infrastructure complements what you have in neighboring Bonfim and Monte Serrat, such as schools, hospitals, and 24-hour banks.

Located on the Itapagipe Peninsula, in the Cidade Baixa region, the neighborhood has celebrated since the 19th century the Fat Monday of Ribeira, which occurs on the first Monday after the washing of Bonfim, the Sunday after Three Kings Day in January.

Besides its traditions, the neighborhood of Ribeira preserves typical Salvadoran houses and shops, such as the ice cream parlor, the Solar Amado Bahia gastronomy, and the Mercado excitement Iaô, where shows and multicultural events take place.

What to find in Ribeira:

• Ribeira Ice Cream Parlor
• Solar Amado Bahia
• Iaô Market
• Peninsula School
• Presidente Costa E Silva State School
• Military Police School
• São José School
• Gold Center Shopping Center
• Dia Supermarket
• Saveiro Clube da Bahia
• Bombordo Restaurant
• Água Viva Restaurant
• Ribeira Shopping
• Agenor Paiva Hospital
• Sagrada Família Hospital
• Smartfit

With information from Quinto Andar