thanks for the information here, i have two hostels to choose:
There's a hostel at Rua dos Franceses, 100 www.pousadadosfranceses.com.br<BR>It's a 15-minute walk from Paulista Avenue and from the subway station.
Another hostel, this one affiliated to IYH, is at Praça da Arvore, also near a subway station.
http://www2.uol.com.br/mochilabrasil/spalbergue.shtml<BR><BR>which one is in a safer area? i checked the price is similar. i will stay at least 4 nights there. my major activities in sao paulo is window shopping and restaurants.

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<hr>window shopping and restaurants. <hr></blockquote>
Ok , in this case I would choose to stay at Rua dos Franceses ...
There are many shoppings and stores around Avenida Paulista and it is a short walk from Rua dos Franceses. There are also many good restaurants nearby ... specially if you like typical italian food you can find many of them at Bixiga just a few blocks down.
Both places are relatevely safe, but be aware while walking specially at night.