Job Discussion Forums

[jirafita]

So I find myself with a job offer to teach in Caracas, Venezuela.

What is it like living in Caracas?

What I have heard hasn't been promising.... lots of stuff about kidnappings and unsolved murders (which could explain the cushy offer). If anyone has ACTUALLY experienced living there, I would love to hear your thoughts. I can deal with a degree of danger, but I don't want to do anything stupid. If it makes any difference, I'm a 20yo female with limited travel experience, but good common sense and a love of adventure.

[Alitas]

One of the most dangerous cities in the world. My Venezuelan friends don't even like it.

You must know someone to go out at night--you need protection.

A corrupt, sad, corroded town....

any positive stories, people??

[Justin Trullinger]

Funny. I haven't been yet, so this is second hand. A good friend of mine has just returned from a year long stint in Venezuela, mostly in Caracas, and tells me that the night life is brilliant, the people are friendly, and the food was great. I didn't specifically ask about feeling at risk, but he didn't mention it. He was involved in research and poverty relief action, and had a wonderful time.

I'm not saying the danger stories are any less true- but there's another side to every story, and I guess it depends a lot on who you are and what you're looking for.

Best,
Justin

[Pennypacker1]

Come on Alitas.. when was the last time you came down here?? (have you been down here?)..

Anyway I would recommend taking the job in Caracas.. I have been here for four months or so (planning probably to stay a year or a bit more)..

However Caracas is a strange beast.. not at all like other South American cities.. here is some advice..

Your salary needs to be in the vicinity of 2 million Bs (indexed to inflation)if you want to live without contstantly worrying about money.. Caracas is apparently the most expensive city in South America (after Cayenne that is) and I was shocked when I got here..

You need to find out where you're working and how far away you will be living.. i know this sounds like an obvious point but transport in Caracas is terrible.. a journey that would take 45m in any other city takes about 2 plus hours here..

If you are coming to work for a school.. have them find you accomodation before you arrive.. I cannot stress this enough.. there are around 6 million people in the greater Caracas area.. an average day would see around 6 apartments and the same number of rooms for rent in the newspapers.. all mostly overpriced... you dont want to be spending 6 weeks in a hotel when you first arrive like some people i know..

Even if the place they find you is less than satisfactory, it will give you some breathing space if you want to look for something else without breaking your bank account..

I dont mean to discourage you but these are the worst things about Caracas.. there are more than enough things to make up for it though.. the people being at the top of the list.. Venezuelans are crazy, frustrating, lovable creatures!! always joking (usually at your expense)..

The nightlife here is indeed fantastic, the rum is off the planet (beer is good too) and if you manage to get a good salary life can be VERY enjoyable considering the proximiy of alot of beautiful beaches!

good luck!!

[Alitas]

Yes, I've lived in Venezuela, though not Caracas! Valencia is my town.

I *love* the country but Caracas is not the place I would want to be unless the situation offered was exceptional.

Trust me, I have been looking for the right situation to return and it has not presented itself to me yet. I would not bring my children to Venezuela unless I were working as a diplomat. The connections needed for simple things are mindboggling. Life is also very expensive in Venezuela at the moment.

It has lost its charm on me for now, that is sure. I keep hoping to go back and find things "the way they were" but that isn't happening.

The Venezuelans have even offered people in my home county oil assistance. Yet the last time I was in Venezuela groceries cost me twice as much as at home.

Whatever public relations machine Chavez is running makes life a little harder to bear on some days!

[kingkristopher]

Pennypacker is just about on with that assessment.

I was in CCs for two years from 2001-2003 and it is a fantastic experience. It is no more dangerous than any other large metropolitan area, as long as your use your head and don't do anything stupid.

I could sit here all day and list all of the amazing things about CCS, but it'll mean so much more to you once you get there and experience it all for yourself.

I definitely advise you to try it out, don't be scared off by what other people say. Take the leap, you won't be sorry. Oh, and drop me a line when you get there, I find myself pining for the days when the Polar was on tap...