Caracas, Venezuela Report of what it's like to live there - 10/14/10
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, I have had several overseas tours in the Americas and Europe.
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?
DC, about 9 hours.
3. How long have you lived here?
4 months
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government, Dept of State
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Apartments, close to the embassy. Like the city they look nice until you look closely. Plumbing is a major issue in many apartments.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are close to DC prices (and in some cases highe r- a jar of peanut butter, if you can find it, might cost $8), and availability is hit or miss. Things like milk, eggs, and fruit may be here today, gone tomorrow. Even items that they make here can be in short supply.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
More items for entertaining at home.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's, Wendy's, KFC, Subway, Pizza Hut, Dominoes, etc. There are some very good restaurants if you are brave enough to venture downtown after dark.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
Some.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes- little tiny ones that can carry dengue.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We have DPO, which is very unreleiable, for a while there things were being stolen left and right. Everyone local uses DHL or FedEx, etc.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Not too hard to find, almost all domestics come from outside Venezuela. About $12-15/day.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, this culture is obssesed with looks, and fitness is a big part of that.
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?
Never, ever, ever use one here. Period.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Newspapers- none that I am aware of. Local cable has a couple of English channels (Sony, CW, etc).Direct TV Ven has a couple, many in the mission have DirectTV Puerto Rico which has more.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
If you don't speak Spanish don't even consider trying to live here.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Many. The streets and sidewalks are in disrepair and many are very steep. Accomodations seems rare.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Have you been reading the above? Some taxis are ok, never the bus, and forget the subway even exists.
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?
A small SUV is best, but in the city any car will do. Not too flashy, and lots of tint is a good idea.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
DSL is available, not too reliable.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one, a cheap one, and use it judiciously. A friend was mugged here and had his cell phone thrown back in his face because it was a piece of junk. Perfect.
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?
Generally no.
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?
I doubt it.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work- suit/tie, business dress for women. Public- more casual for men, women are dressed to the nines, even in the supermarket on a Sunday. morning.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
This whole place is one giant security concern. The NY Times called it more dangerous than Baghdad and they didn't get the half of it. Each weekend sees 50-60 murders, but the true number is unknown because many seem to go unreported and bodies just appear. When people talk they say things like "I haven't been robbed...yet..."
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is good if you have money - but they will turn you away from a hosptial if you can't pay in advance or prove you have the means to pay. There is no public ambulance service.
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?
It seems fine so far, in the rainy season.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Perfect. The best thing about this place.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Couldn't say, people seem happy with them.
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?
2. Morale among expats:
Inside the embassy morale ranges from low to terrible. Post management is non-existant. Air freight, household goods and vehicles can languish for weeks while paperwork remains on a desk in the mission. Mail service has been poor and information as to why does not exist. Exchanging money is very hard, especially for new comers. Officers on the visa line have been interviewing as many as 9 hours a day and soke Saturdays, and the line is not getting any shorter. Post management seems to be in denial over the situation.
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?
In-home entertaining is the way to, although there are decent clubs and restaurants. The pervasive violence in the city makes this a tough choice, though. Every month the embassy publishes a list of crimes committed against employees, fmailes and friends, and every month it includes car jackings, muggings and some violent crime. Recently an embassy employee had his car shot up when leaving a nightclub.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Families with small kids seem to really like the school and family environment. I would not, under any circumstance, bring a child over the age of 14 here.
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?
Not that I have seen, although classism is rampant.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The city and countryside are beautiful, but in an aging, fading kind of way that you really don't want to look at too closely.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Leave Venezuela and go to the Carribean.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Cheap replicas of all the stuff you wish you could have here.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The weather is amazing.
11. Can you save money?
Depends on which exchange rate you use, how often you travel out of here and your level of internet shopping addiction.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Probably not.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations of life in the Latin American Carribean, and anything you don't want stolen. Seriously- the guidance here is no jewelry in public, no watches, etc.
3. But don't forget your:
Ability to laugh when you want to cry.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Not a book but read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/world/americas/23venez.html
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you have any other comments?
Check this out too: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/showcase-53/
