Caracas, Venezuela Report of what it's like to live there - 02/17/09
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?
No, second.
2. How long have you lived here?
2004-2006. 2 years.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government, U.S. Embassy.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
From the U.S. it will take about a day. All flights either stop in Miami, Atlanta, or Houston. Make sure you have enough time between flights in Miami, because many times people miss their flights. There are also new low-cost airlines flying out of Ft. Lauderdale FL to Caracas.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most embassy personnel live very close to the Embassy in Valle Arriba. All housing is apartments and most are very nice. Marble floors and dark hardwood are the most common. Some have pools, an event room, etc...Commute times are typically between 10-15 minutes. Some people are so close they can walk.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
When you can find them, groceries and household supplies are relatively cheap, again, thanks to the parallel exchange rate.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
A lot of fast food is available, but there are a lot of really good restaurants in Caracas. Venezuelans love sushi, so there are lots of sushi restaurants. When you get your money on the legal parallel rate, the cost is very cheap.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitos can be a problem during the rainy season, but that is about it.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Through the Embassy's APO mail. The Venezuelan mail system is known to be wrought with theft.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Relatively cheap. The going rate used to be about 40bs a day. At the current parallel rate that is about US$$8.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are several gyms in the area. The Embassy has one on compound that is decent.
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?
Don't use them unless you have a local bank account. They will only give you the official exchange rate and thus you will be giving half of your money away to the Venezuelan banks.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Intercable, Supercable and DirectTV provide television. Most are subpar.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You need Spanish to live in Venezuela. Most upper class Venezuelans speak some English, but a majority of the population does not. They are also not very outgoing and will not go out of their way to try to understand you if you can't speak to them in Spanish.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
A lot. It's a large, run down city with a lot of crime. If you're disabled, you're that much more of a target.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Since gas is so cheap, it's easier to just drive everywhere.
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?
Gas is essentially free, so bring whatever you like. The more flashy it is, the more likely you are to be a target of crime. However when you leave, you can easily sell it for whatever you bought it for.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Intercable, SuperCable, and CANTV (the local telephone company).Speeds are decent, but billing is typically a nightmare. CANTV especially since they are now government owned and apparently not concerned with making money or sending you your bills.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
There are 3 carriers, MovilNet, Movistar, and Digitel. Digitel is the only one that is GSM and their coverage is not as good as Movistar's or MovilNets.
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?
Not really, unless you want to do volunteer work.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Venezuelans typically dress well. Beauty is very important to most Venezuelan women, and they dress accordingly.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Good. Most Embassy people live in Valle Arriba or San Roman which is in the hills.
2. What immunizations are required each year?
Yellow fever becomes a problem every few years or so, and many countries outside of Latin America will require to see immunization from it before entry.
3. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Caracas is now one of the top 5 most dangerous cities in the world. Be it an expat or local, you will know many people who have been robbed, car jacked, kidnapped, stabbed, shot, etc...I managed to be there 2 years without anything bad happening, but it also felt like a gamble. It really wasn't a question of if something bad was going to happen, but when.
4. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Health concerns are few, and medical care is ok - not great.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
You couldn't ask for better weather. It is between 70-80F year round.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Relatively large due to all the oil companies.
2. Morale among expats:
Generally low since a lot of people have the wrong impression of Venezuela before arriving. It's an extremely dangerous country and not the tropical paradise a lot of people think it is. Many people get very annoyed by the shortages in the supermarkets.
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?
Venezuelans love to party, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants to accommodate.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It's great for singles because partying is essentially subsidized by the government, and Venezuelans love to party. Alcohol is all bought at the offial exchange rate (2.15bs to the US$) by the bars. Meanwhile the legal parallel rate is typically 5.5-6bs to the US$. So essentially you're buying it at less than half price. It's a horrible place for families, however, as the rolling shortages at the supermarkets will drive most families crazy. There is always a shortage of something, whether it is milk, eggs, chicken, beef, flour, sugar, coffee, etc...Anything that is controlled by the government will eventually run out and then it will be 6 months or so until you see it in the supermarkets again.
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?
Definitely. Recently the Jews have been repeatedly attacked to include the oldest synagogue in Caracas. It was physically attacked, overrun, and desecrated by pro-government groups. There is also a growing dislike for Americans.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Restaurants, bars, clubs, beach trips, hiking up the Avila, Angel Falls, and exploiting the gasoline the government subsidizes (~3 cents a gallon).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Nothing in Venezuela is made locally, only oil.
9. Can you save money?
Yes, because there is nothing worth buying on the local economy. Most non-consumables are imported at the parallel rate, marked up several hundred percent, and then sold in the local malls. Nothing in Venezuela is made locally anymore. Gas is almost free, and eating and drinking are subsidized by the governemnt.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Venezuela was a lot of fun and don't regret living there for 2 years. I however would be worried about going back now that the crime keeps getting worse and worse.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Heavy winter clothes.
3. But don't forget your:
Patience. Venezuelans are not service oriented and generally very rude. As noted earlier, nothing is locally made in Venezuela and imports are very expensive. Order everything else you need online.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Secuestro Express.
7. Do you have any other comments?
In Venezuela there is an official exchange rate and a legal parallel rate. Any products imported on the official exchange rate are very cheap. Typically these products are consumables such as food and alcohol. Most everything else is imported on the parallel rate, and extremely expensive. With the price of oil being low and the government short on money, expect fewer and fewer goods being imported on the official rate. If you choose to go to Venezuela, good luck and stay safe.
