Valid point, Bronxboy.
I'm typically here in July/August and the heat/humidity definitely shortens my fuse.
RHM
oh no.. that is all wrong. That is the worst time to visit here and the worst time to leave MA! Really, you should come here in Feb March April which are pretty dismal up there and glorious here.. high pressure Caribbean weather which we really have for about 7 or 8 months of the year. Switch that around immediately. Go South in Winter, North in Summer. not the other way around.
The other thing is to NOT drive unless it is to get out of the city and go to the beach. Never drive in the City. Take taxis only. Air conditioned taxis. (although I do not know where your wife's family lives.. might be in the campo)
The other thing that might make you see things differently is to look at the real estate prices. That is one of the things that always keeps me here. Sometimes I get a bug to go back to the States and I go on Realtor. com.. and look at prices.. and then at Supercasas.. and settle right back in.
And then the Novocentro opened up the Art Cine so I am pretty happy.