Living in Venezuela--specifically Valencia or Maracaibo? (life, people, move, travel)

[aries4118]

Does anyone have any opinions or suggestions about living in the cities of Valencia or Maracaibo in Venezuela?

I am specifically interested in knowing about safety, daily life, quality of life, and "going about on my own."



All posts are welcome. Honesty and forthrighness are particularly desired!

[Atlantasfinest]

I've traveler to Venezuela several times and have good friends who live there...they make do but they arent satisfied with the government under Chavez. The dollar situation and inflation is crazy there too which could makes changing money there difficult and could impair your daily living situation. I have only stayed mostly in Caracas and Isla Margarita and Morrocoy for Semana Santa but I hear the towns you mentioned are pretty nice.

Caracas is definitely an Urban Jungle and I dont think I could live there. I'm able to adapt to some crazy situations but I've never felt as unsafe as I did when visiting Caracas several times. Even the people in the hotels told me to not walk the streets at night and head directly to wherever destination I was going to. I hear Caracas is much different than the towns you mentioned though so you may be in luck.

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[aries4118]

Originally Posted by Atlantasfinest

I've traveler to Venezuela several times and have good friends who live there...they make do but they arent satisfied with the government under Chavez. The dollar situation and inflation is crazy there too which could makes changing money there difficult and could impair your daily living situation. I have only stayed mostly in Caracas and Isla Margarita and Morrocoy for Semana Santa but I hear the towns you mentioned are pretty nice.

Caracas is definitely an Urban Jungle and I dont think I could live there. I'm able to adapt to some crazy situations but I've never felt as unsafe as I did when visiting Caracas several times. Even the people in the hotels told me to not walk the streets at night and head directly to wherever destination I was going to. I hear Caracas is much different than the towns you mentioned though so you may be in luck.

Thank you for the feedback! You basically confirmed what I already knew/learned--I posted on here to see if someone had anything else to say.

My former colleague who lived there for two years said the exact same things.

[hutch5]

I lived in Caracas 18 years ago for 6 months and visited Maracaibo a few time and never Valencia.

I don't think I can commnt on the quality of life and safety because I am sure that a lot have changed but I can tell you that Maracaibo was extremely hot and humid. I suppose climate is something you need to keep in consideration when you decide to move.

[aries4118]

Originally Posted by hutch5

I lived in Caracas 18 years ago for 6 months and visited Maracaibo a few time and never Valencia.

I don't think I can commnt on the quality of life and safety because I am sure that a lot have changed but I can tell you that Maracaibo was extremely hot and humid. I suppose climate is something you need to keep in consideration when you decide to move.

Thanks--My friend said the exact same thing about the climate.