Marina,

          This site can help you http://www.lifestylesbrazil.com/

            It seems these guys sell real estate in Brazil and are attorneys. The information they provide is correct. They have a members forum and a public forum (the links are on the upper left hand side of the page).

            Since I am not a member I only visited the public forum and being the internet nerd that I am I found it to be the most straightfoward, no nonsense information provider for foreigners that I have come across. Below is a straight link to their forum.

            http://www.network54.com/Forum/193867/

            Many Americans and Brits use this site so perhaps you can start making contacts with other English speakers as well. Plus they have a link to an English speaking newspaper in Copacabana.

            This may also be helpful  http://www.virtualtourist.com/