10 things you must know before moving to caracas (spoiler: it’s not all arepas)
caracas is that friend who shows up at your gig with a bottle of cheap tequila and a story about the metro station where ghosts walk backward. before you pack your drums or your hopes, listen up. here’s the messy, unedited, absurdly honest run-down you need.
starting with safety. let’s just say caracas has a vibe that’s equal parts thrill ride and rollercoaster. i’ve heard from locals (overheard, of course) that the neighborhoods change faster than your drum tuning. downtown’s sketchy, but you can find pockets where the noise is loud enough to drown out the bullet carts. rent here? as low as $500/month if you’re willing to sleep near a sketchy corner store. but honestly? buy a flashlight. and maybe learn spanish. not because anyone’s gonna teach you, but because the signs are out of control.
now, the job market. if you’re a drummer, you might actually thrive. there are indie bands, underground clubs, and a whole lotta passion. but don’t expect a steady gig. it’s more like a thursday night pick-up scene. studios are cheap, though. $200/month? if you’re lucky. but again-flashlight. also, spotify is dying here. everyone plays vinyl or shouts lyrics over bad speakers. embrace the chaos.
*weather? caracas is a mood. one day it’s 90°f, next it’s raining like a broken heart. and your neighbors? they’re either right next door or skipping town before 9pm. i asked a bartender once why no one stays at 10pm. he said, ‘because the police are there, and also, \
here’s the data table you didn’t ask for but need to survive:
| category | cost (monthly) | local vibe |
|---|---|---|
| rent (safe zone) | $500-800 | paranoid |
| food (street) | $2-5 | chaotic |
| healthcare | $150 (basic) | scary |
listen to this drunk advice: someone told me to avoid the "golden triangle" at night. turns out, it’s where they sell fake passports. another local warned me about the coffee. they’ll sell you a $3 cup that tastes like regret. i listened. now i drink espresso and pretend it’s from italy.
overheard gossip:
- "the metro will vanish for a week during elections.\
- "coffee snobs hate the locals.\
- "if you play drums in plazas, you’ll get robbed for your cymbals.\
but here’s the thing: carousel of disasters is part of the charm. you’ll meet people who’ve survived worse. and sometimes, you’ll find a gig at a tiny club with a crowd that knows your name before you play your first note.
here’s where to find more chaos:
tripadvisor caracas safety
yelp reports on local bars
reddit r/caracas moveing tips
unsplash caracas street music*
so yeah. pack light, stay wrong, and play drums like no one’s watching. because honestly? they kind of aren’t.
You might also be interested in:
- https://topiclo.com/post/bucharest-a-whirlwind-of-history-weather-and-unexpected-charm
- https://topiclo.com/post/remote-work-in-vientiane-drumming-up-chaos-or-finding-the-groove
- https://topiclo.com/post/chnans-secret-corners-places-even-locals-pretend-they-dont-know
- https://topiclo.com/post/astana-concrete-dreams-and-frozen-toes-a-musicians-perspective
- https://topiclo.com/post/faro-feels-like-a-dream-but-also-a-little-too-real