What are the best/safest/cheapest places to live in/near Sao Paulo or Rio ?

Some people post about Minas Gerais being a nice and safe State...I agree. But you are asking for a place NEAR to SP and/Or rio...I assume it has to be somewhere near to those Cities . Near to Sao Paulo City you can leave in Taubate, Campos dos Jordao, Santo Antonio do Pinhal...Those are like a country mountain kind, but save and beautiful. Near to Rio, you can try Petropolis just 1 hour far from the city of Rio