Caracas, Venezuela Report of what it's like to live there - 03/05/11
Personal Experiences from Caracas, Venezuela
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Our second expat experience. The first was New Zealand.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
3. How long have you lived here?
20 months
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
My husband is a US Embassy employee
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Embassy people tend to live near the embassy and ECA (escuela campo alegre). It's a pleasant neighborhood. Embassy people must live in apartments--no houses. They vary greatly in quality and amenities.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
There are often shortages. Right now there is no milk or tissues. Sometimes there's no sugar or toilet paper or meat. Things are expensive in the grocery stores. The open markets have reasonably-priced fruit and veggies. They'll charge your maid less than they'll charge a gringo.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
The commissary here does not sell anything, so bring anything you want/need. Birthday presents if your kids are the age where they'll be invited. Printer ink, spaghetti sauce, cheddar cheese (freeze it and put it in your checked luggage), anything electronic, vanilla (almost impossible to find it here).
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's. Dominoes has 2-for-1 pizza mon-thursday.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
mosquitoes, lots of other bugs. They are seasonal.in the spring there are hatchings of flying ants. They come in the thousands and are attracted to the light. They are worse in some neighborhoods than others.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO.There isn't regular mail service in VZ.There is fed ex.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
The best thing about Caracas is my live-in maid. All apartments have a separate bedroom/bathroom for the maid. Almost everyone has a maid at least a couple of days a week. Some cook or shop or do child care. Pay a little more and get someone really good whom you trust.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The embassy has a gym. Parents and embassy employees can use the school gym and facilities. Some apartments have facilities. there are some local gyms as well.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
DO NOT use them. Use cash, or a debit card from your vVenezuelan bank. But do not use a foreign credit card.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Christian non-denominational and Catholic services are in English.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Puerto Rico direct TV is available with a special dish.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Almost none. If you spend your time at the school and with your expat friends, you can get by with English. But your experience will be so much more enjoyable if you can learn Spanish. And it's not that hard of a language.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
It is not particularly wheel-chair friendly.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
There is a taxi service or two that we use, but you have to call them a day ahead and they are expensive. Buses and other taxis are dangerous. The metro is dangerous as well.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
New cars get carjacked more than old cars. No 8-cylinder cars. There are a lot of steep hills and winding roads. The older and more beat up the better. Driving is a free-for-all. Stop signs are completely ignored. It's chaos -- but kind of fun.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We pay about $50/month for phone and internet. It's unreliable, and often slow. We often go days at a time with no service. Get a transformer (not just a surge protector) and plug your modem into it rather than just the wall.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring an unlocked cell phone and buy "saldo" at any newspaper kiosk. Don't have a flashy looking phone--it makes you a target. Don't show your phone in public.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Tie and jacket at the embassy. If you're going out and want to not draw attention to yourself, jeans and a t-shirt are good.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes! It's crazy dangerous here. Car jackings, express kidnappings, muggings. You don't walk around, you watch yourself all the time.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Many very good doctors, but the infrastructure (tests, nurses, labs, hospitals) are hit and miss.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
excellent
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
fabulous!
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
ECA (escuela campo alegre) is great. The usual complaints about some teachers, but overall a wonderful experience for my kids. There is a lot of parent activity at the school, so it's a great community.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
There are lots of spanish-speaking pre-schools around. Friends seem to be happy with them.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are some afterschool programs for the kids.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Shrinking. But those of us here have a lot of fun.
2. Morale among expats:
okay
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
You can play tennis or go swimming year round. The beach is only an hour or two drive, and is lovely.great, but shrinking, expat community
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are a few groups that come to perform, but often they are in scary parts of the city where you don't want to go at night. The British International Group is a nice spouse group that has activities. There are a lot of nice restaurants.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
wooden bowls and boxes, chocolate.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The weather is fabulous. The chocolate is great.
11. Can you save money?
Yes
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
We've had a great experience here. Having a maid and learning Spanish make it a lot of fun. But it's hard to live with the constant threat of danger.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
winter coats (although bring light jackets).
3. But don't forget your:
tennis racket and swim suit, mosquito repellant,umbrella. Get used to limiting your activities, and not walking around the city. Bring airtight canisters for all your food items: flour, sugar, etc. Bring extras to store open cereal, crackers, etc. It's the tropics -- there are bugs and it's humid.
