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About Brian Botta
Expertise

Relocating to a foreign country and adjusting to life in a different culture, with a different language and a different set of values can be difficult. As a foreign expatriate living in Venezuela I've become rather well acquainted with how the country operates and how to avoid problems in Venezuela.

I have specific expertise with regard to the relocation of English speaking individuals and families to Margarita Island, including the associated issues of renting or buying a home, acquiring language training, acquiring a residence or investor visa, opening bank accounts, finding competent professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, dentists, etc.) placing children in a private school and other associated issues involved with relocating individuals or families to Margarita Island.



Experience


Experience in the area
I (a US Citizen) relocated my family to Margarita Island in early 2005, and we have been living here since that time. We are now residents of Venezuela, living normal lives and doing business here on the Island.

I am active in real estate development and sales, as well as helping foreigners relocate to Margarita Island. I'm a writer, and my website (http://bulletproofretirement.com) has over 200 articles on the various aspects of relocation abroad and moving to Margarita. As a writer and researcher I am quite experienced with providing complete answers to specific questions.

I currently assist with the relocation of 1 to 2 individuals each month, about half of them from the US and the rest from Canada and the UK. Some of the clients are retirees, others are business or real estate investors who need assistance in finding quality properties to purchase. In either case, I've become experienced in solving problems with moving to Venezuela.


 
   

You are here:  Experts > Cultures > South America for Visitors > Venezuela > moving to caracas

Topic: Venezuela



Expert: Brian Botta
Date: 3/2/2008
Subject: moving to caracas

Question
Hi Brian,

i am hoping to relocate for work to southern- eastern part of caracas, i've read many articles that are not in favour of caracas, i was hoping you would shed some light and let me know if for a young lady as myself i would be safe if i chose the right part to live in???

i would be grateful for your response.

p.s

is it expensive to live in caracas?

thank you

Answer
Hello GI

I assume that after reading many articles "not in favor of Caracas" that you're hoping I'm going to tell you the truth about how it's really not that bad.

I can't do that, because it really is that bad.  I live on the Island of Margarita, and it's the only place in this country that I'd live.  There is no amount of money that could get me to move my family to Caracas, and that isn't just a figure of speech.  Kidnapping is a cottage industry in Venezuela, and Caracas has lots of crime.

Young lady, there *isn't* any "right part of town" that is safe in Caracas.  All of my friends from Caracas (yes, *all* dozen or so that I know well enough to have heard their personal history) have been the subject of an armed robbery at least once, most have been kidnapped one or more times (most common is a "secuestro express" where they grab you and drive you around until your plastic won't give them any more of your money).  This is a major part of the reason that they live on Margarita now.  Get a copy of the movie "Secuestro Express" and watch it.   If you don't think you could handle that kind of situation, don't go to Caracas.

One friend's problems began when he started looking prosperous: after his wife had their second child they had to buy a bigger car, so they bought a new one.  Within 2 months there was an attempted carjacking and an attempted kidnapping.  Both were foiled because my friend is always armed and at the first sign of trouble the pistol comes out.  After the attempted kidnapping, his wife gave him an ultimatum: "It's me and the kids or Caracas- I'm not staying here."   The family moved to Margarita.  Would they move back to Caracas?   Not until it's as safe as Margarita.

Are you fluent in Spanish, or at least very proficient?  If not, how could you understand the bad guys when they point a gun at you?  People that don't obey immediately are often shot and then robbed.

This is one of the few times that I'm going to agree with the US State department: their description of the security problems in this report is quite complete:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1059.html

Sorry to be so negative, but you asked.

Brian

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