Caracas, Venezuela Report of what it's like to live there - 03/16/10
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, Mexico City and Madrid.
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?
Los Angeles, it takes anywhere from 10-15 hours total travel time with stops in 1 of 3 US cities.
3. How long have you lived here?
1 year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
US Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We all live in one of two areas, Valle Arriba or San Roman. Try to get into Valle Arriba as your commute time will be anywhere from 1-5 minutes. If you live in San Roman the 3 mile drive can take you up to 45 minutes. In San Roman there are regular water shortages, some of them lasting days. We all live in apartments and nobody has a generator, so when the power goes you are screwed. Since they use pumps to bring the water to your apartment, when the power goes you have no water either. You can go days without water here. During Christmas my building went without water for 9 days.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is expensive. Since the government now runs most of the distribution of food stapples they run out often and when you can get it its expensive. I have heard that families can spend $300 USD a week in groceries.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Pinto beans, tires, small gas generator, plastic fork/knives/spoons, good toilet paper, cleaning supplies...I can go on forever.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are many good Italian restaurants and Sushi places. The imported beef is also excellent too.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
There are a lot of mosquitoes, so make sure to bring your DEET spray and a lot of it. I spray it on nearly every day and when I don't I get bit.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
APO/DPO. However, the local government will often delay this process.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Everyone seems to go through a few before they find a gem. I went through 3. The cost is about $20-25 USD a day.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There is a decent one at the embassy. Local ones are very expensive.
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?
You need to get a local bank account. You cannot use your US ATM or credit card here. It will get cloned.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes, for Catholics and Christians.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
You can get Puerto Rican Direct TV. About $50/month.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
At the office you need very little. Once you leave the office there is very little English spoken outside. In order to survive you need some Spanish. The Spanish spoken here is God-awful, so for those who already speak Spanish it will be hard to adjust. The locals will also pretend to not know what you are saying if you do not say it in the local (disgusting) accent.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Too many to note. This city is full of terrible streets and has few sidewalks. I have never seen a person in a wheelchair here.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No! No! No! I would never use any of the 3. Too many stories of Americans getting robbed or taken advantage of.
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?
Anything is fine. If you plan on driving outside of the city an SUV would be good. Gas is dirt cheap ($1 to fill your tank). However, 8 cylinder engines are not allowed.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, about $50/month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Buy a cheap one at the mall. They're all the same. Phones are about $100 USD and about $20-30 USD a month depending on usage.
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?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Good a ton of vets, cheap too.
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?
Some at the school, but you must be a trained teacher or RN.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Formal at work. Woman here are judged solely on their looks so you will see a lot of woman with tight clothes and revealing their assets. You must dress nice to get into a restaurant or club.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Too many to name. While I served there an Embassy employee was murdered, several staff were robbed (myself included), and there were multiple carjackings of Embassy employees. You can't even walk around your neighborhood.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
We have an RMO. No real medical concerns. Local hospitals are good. Some woman even give birth here.
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?
Perfect.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
No better weather in the world, perfect year round.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Escuela Campo Alegre is the only good thing about this place. The school is top notch with great staff and support for the students. CIC is ok and there is also a Christian school but it lacks proper security measures and has a very weak staff.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ECA has some programs but nothing like the US.
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?
It is available but will cost about $400-$500 a month.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
ECA has some, but not too many.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small.
2. Morale among expats:
As low as it gets. Everyone (including locals with money) is trying to find a way out of here. If there was no oil in this country there would be no other expats outside of the diplomatic community.
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?
Nice night clubs and bars but you are taking a grave risk by staying out late.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
No. This place is bad for all. It used to be good for singles but since you can't go out due to the security issues its terrrible. For families I can't think of a worse place that the government allows them to go to. You can't walk around your neighborhood and there is nothing within a safe driving distance. No parks, no decenet museums. Most people go to the malls for walks. Once again, like I said DO NOT COME HERE (if you can avoid it).
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
There are gay clubs but from what I have heard it is difficult to be "out" in Caracas.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Anti-Semitism and the more European-looking Venezuelan's control most everything (except the government).
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
R&R and Annual Leave.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Dream about going home. Complaining about how much this place stinks.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
It's all made in Colombia so no sense it buying it here.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Not much. This place is so dangerous that you cannot enjoy anything without fear of becoming a victim of a violent crime. This place is truly awful.
11. Can you save money?
This place is very, very expensive, hence the 42% COLA. You will spend a lot of money going back home or traveling out of the country just to get away and the tickets are super expensive. At least $1000 USD to get to Miami (only 3 hours away).
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Not in a million years, I can't imagine a worse Latin American post.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Any idea that this is a Caribbean paradise. This place is so frustrating because it has so much potential and has gone completely down hill so fast.
3. But don't forget your:
Return ticket home.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Oil, Politics, and the Challange to the US, The Bolivarion Revolution (what a joke).
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you have any other comments?
Do not come here unless you have to. Honestly, this place is rundown, expensive, the people are rude, the service is atrocious, and the crime is out of control.
