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South Africans in Paraguay

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palanca40
  3/17/2010 04:02 EST

I know that in the 80 and 90's several South Africans immigrated to Paraguay, are they still around or any other SA people in Paraguay. We are a couple with two kids wishing to settle in Paraguay.
Any advice on doing this would be appreciated.

juan27
  3/17/2010 21:02 EST

I cannot give you the advice to move to Paraguay with children. That would be irresponsible in regard to their future. Sorry to be enable to encourage you. Try Uruguay. Certainly times better that this country. All the best to you.

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BoerPy
  5/1/2010 20:51 EST

Accidentally stumbled upon this site.

juan27, Sir, spoken like a true European. But sorry, I must ask, how do you know what palanca40 hopes for his children? Maybe even he's a billionaire and would have no problem in putting his children in the Cristian Academy for $1500 per month (I'm speaking under correction) and sure, Paraguay IS a 3'd world country, but better eduction is available, sadly its only more expensive. I am a 32 year old BOER, proud of my heritage, been living in Py for the last 15 years, married to a Paraguayan born woman of German decent and I can only thank my Father everyday for having taken me out of that South African Society, because thank God, I need no more to live with that hate and danger that the average white south african must live with day after day.(and most blacks too meanwhile...)
For one thing though I must give you a 100% thumbs-up Sir, and thats for your advise in your profile about "local people" who "wants" to help anyone who's thinking about moving here.

PEOPLE, beware, and I would go as far as to say it counts for anyone thats thinking about moving to a country where he/she doesn't speak the local language.BEWARE. My advise, if possible visit first, then if you should decide so, move but do NOT BUY ANYTHING, hire a house for 6 months, look around, listen to everyone and no-one.
If possible then go back to country of origin and only then pack your container, you would be surprised as to how many things which you'll think you'll not be able to use will be sorely needed once you have moved.

Boer, living in Paraguay proud and thankful for that!
NT

LilyAk
  5/5/2010 00:33 EST

Everybody is WELLCOME in Paraguay. I think it will be very positive for your children. Don't listen to negative people . There are great schools and universities for your kids!

juan27
  5/10/2010 08:45 EST

You are of course in right. I almost forgot of the many billionaires moving to Paraguay! These private schools are packed with Paraguayans. Not all Paraguayans are poor. Many, many are extremely rich. But "many" is still a small percentage of the population. Most people moving to Paraguay are attracted by the low costs of living (though rising steadily since three/four years), the sun and the nature. My posting is only a guide to "normal" citizens with a normal income (billionaires will NOT read any postings, they have people doing this for them). That is the reason why I must warn about schools which levels are really VERY low. I was hoping South Africa would fare better after the Apartheid, but it seems not to be the case. I also must warn about a strong rising since a bit more than a year, of criminality. To give you an idea: I knew personally two couples that were murdred recently, I knew a couple that was thrice assaulted (they left last week, returning to Germany, for that reason. Their new house and 25 Hectares of grounds unsold!!). I knew a man that was shot in his head. He is allive to-day: he paid 249.000.000 Guaranies to the Paraguayan hospital, he lost an eye, and ear, a part of his tongue and is defigured for life. He returned to Germany and is now trying to sell his plane, his house and his grounds. I know personnally three couple that were "only" assaulted and slightly wounded, one of those two times another one, owning a small ranch, three times. Well I am here since only three years. That is a lot of people if you knew them! So, another advice: do not look for properties that are a "dream" because of total serenity and isolation. Look for properties where there are neighbors and keep a good contact to them. Organise mutual help (electronic devices that are warning automatically also exist in this country but are rarely used by immigrants). Keep large dogs and educate them. Be friendly to Paraguayans and never forget WE ARE GUESTS, WE MUST LEARN FROM THEM. WE MUST ADOPT TO THIS COUNTRY. NOT THE CONTRARY as many believe. Even if somehow they do things that look stupid to us, don´t tell them, just show them how you would do it. Friendly, not like a master, but more like a brother. You will be surprised how fast they learn. Also never forget: they are mostly poor and stealing or lying is very common! But, I personnally, after my experiences I had with European "helpers" I would trust ten times more a Paraguayan...with a bit caution.

tomcat
  5/10/2010 20:17 EST

Oh my! the type of crime you are citing are unheard of in the USA and Europe! how about in South Africa? enlighten me, if you would. Is corruption also a malady in PY? just asking, because it is something totally unknown in the USA as i would imagine it is not common in Europe! come on, love it or live it as we say! another questions, are europeans contributing or influencing the PY society? or not? also, what do you mean by "pale" ? so, really nobody should be "irresponsible" to move their kids to PY? interesting, i should mention to the many missionaries with lots of kids living there that haven't their entrails being removed or scalped, just sayin'

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palanca40
  5/11/2010 13:25 EST

Thank you for the information Juan, I can see that Paraguay suffers from the global problem of crime as does all countries. I have lived in 4 African countries and corruption is a way of life in most of them, but killing people was not. Its sad that life becomes so cheap. I do believe that I will come over to Paraguay for a visit as I believe to see things first hand. I do hope to have the chance to meet up with you Juan as you seem to have a lot of good information and am willing to share it.

BoerPy
  5/11/2010 15:45 EST

Tomcat, not sure with whom your trying to pick a fight with.

juan27. Sir, the couple you revered to that was murdered recently, aren't those the ones that was murdered by their own son there in the vicinity where you live?

About that man that got half his face shot away with a shotgun, I think he should be thankful to be still alive, further if he would only have paid (like everyone told him to do!) to the one Paraguayan the commission the other Paraguayan didn't pay him (which was how much? 1000 Euro's?) it all could have been prevented.
What I just want to say is that things are not always clear cut here, a lot and I mean A LOT of these cases could have been prevented, but coming here not knowing how things are done here or just being PLAIN STUPIDBETTER KNOWING...

Sure, criminality has taken a big surge in areas like yours and Colonia Independencia, but what can one expect when all these mostly poor people see you rich (for PY standards) Europeans coming here and throwing your money around like its nothing.

juan27
  5/12/2010 08:51 EST

I also do not understand the tone and politeness of Tomcat. And I do not care too. My intentions here are just to try to open the eyes of people intending to move to this country. Of course I know Europe very well, may better than Tomcat. I know also that Brussels one of the most dangerous cities in Europe is. that police in that city is fully disinterested as they are in Antwerp, in Liège or in other larger cities. The same in Germany, in Spain, Italy, even Switzerland. We all know that. But, there are people here in Paraguay INTERESTED in attracting Europeans, Americans and other fellows from other countries, to Paraguay. A platform as this one or others on the net, are ideal for "fishing". You make contact and one day you meet in Asuncion or in Ciudad del Este. You think its a friend waiting for you and intending to help you in your new country. Well, certainly he will help you. He will help you to get rid of your money. Do you know someone in YOUR country who is helping unknown foreigners to immigrate? Just for the fun of helping. Well, here in Paraguay it is just the same. And for Mr.Tomcat´s information. I feel here very well, we have many friends. But we have learned to be very carefull and we also have learned that many people are just liars in regard of security and about life in this country. And I still pretend that it is irresponsible, if there is another choice, to bring young children to this country.(Billionaires apart). In regard to another posting: the couple that was murdered was killed by 4 truands. Not by their son.

majbjb
  5/12/2010 17:29 EST

First of all, let me thank Juan and BoerPA for providing us all their invaluable information taken from their personal experience. As I watch their comments and others pop up on this subject I'd like to add my thoughts.

I cannot comment from the perspective of many on this forum as ex-pats already living the life so to say. But I can comment from the perspective of someone who has been coming to Paraguay annually for the last 10 + years to visit my wife's family. During these visits I have paid close attention to the reported amount and types of crimes occurring since our intent has always been to move to Paraguay, and security in any new country is always important for outsiders to consider and be aware of.

I can remember my absolute astonishment as to how safe things seemed on my first few visits in the Asuncion and Cde del Este areas. I had been warned by family and friends who were from Paraguay of the total lawlessness and lack of security that existed. Maybe from their perspective it was "lawless" but from my perspective of having lived in Europe and the US it was ridiculously safe. With of course the caveat that one had to exercise common sense and stay aware of their surroundings, which as a foreigner in a foreign land is always good to do. This was in approximately 1997/8 by the way.

Since then I've noted that the security situation seems to have gotten a little worse, but I often wonder if it's just that any bad incidents are just better reported and covered than in the past? Where petty property crime has always seemed to be a problem (ie watch out for pickpockets on public transportation and don't flash jewelry or money in public), I don't think it any worse than in any simiilar location in the under-developed world. The violent crime, or at least property crime that turns violent, does seem on an upswing especially in isolated areas. I base this only on newspaper reports and on input such as Juan and BoerPA provide from their earlier posts. But again, is it a real upswing or just better reported?

Plus of course there's the recent Army involvment in chasing the bandits/guerilla's up north which is playing itself out in the press right now. That hadn't been something I had heard about until just recently, although I'm told that this kind of thing was quite common at one point.

But even with all this, I really believe that overall if someone is to keep a bit of common sense, try to blend in or at least not "stick out" (billionaires excluded of course!), and try to get along with the locals you shouldn't have any problems. Not to say nothing bad will happen, but I don't think your at anymore risk in Paraguay than most other civilized places in the world.

In any event I'll soon know what the "real deal" is as we are moving to Paraguay within the year. And nothing posted so far has changed that, although it's all good information to file away and keep in mind.

BoerPy
  5/12/2010 23:42 EST

Sure violence has escalated since 20 years ago, show me a country except Singapore which hasn't and I'll eat my Somrero. :D 15 years ago when we came official statistics were 5 cars per week stolen in Asuncion, now 5-20 per day -I don't know- Fact, the paradise Stroessner left is long gone but that's just the way it normally goes with country's that goes democratic after a dictatorship (I think Chile is a small notable exception, though not perfect either)
Cattle slaughterstealing is a big problem in East-Paraguay.So is assaulting new Europeans in East-Paraguay
The Eastern-Northern part of Paraguay isn't at all recommendable for any kind of adventure for outsiders except only if you want to buy drugs, weapons or just plain looking for trouble, but less so because of that guerrillas movement, sure they have done some high profile kidnappings and have somekind of linksupport to FARC, but like I said before, in PY nothing is every clear-cut.(a Paraguayen once told me "Its not what your able to read in the daily newspapers that's important, ITS WHAT YOU ARE ABLE TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES THAT'S THE REAL STORY)It more a no-go zone for foreigners because of all the Campesinos (pheasants) without land that can be a headache without end for any land owner.It does though have some of the most lovely scenery in PY and worth a visit without being scared of being killed on site.

Juan27, my "crusade" against you end with me saying this here now; How can you live in a Country and recommend other people not to come here, especially with little children.I kinda want to take that as a insult to my Father. Don't you think that every adult immigrating to Py is aware of Py being a 3'd world country. Only because you got a better education than here does that make you a better person?
WHY do you keep living in a country which you can't recommend to other outsiders??
Maybe its because we both have had different experiences here.Since I started having contact with Europeans (mostly Germans) I've only seen how they have been "pulled out the table." We South Africans except ONE way back in the beginning were never like that, we tried to help our fellow country men, BUT in return got a kick in the ass mostly, and those that left only speak bad about Py today...
I once helped a GREEN "German" Immigrant woman here, after the 3'd time she sent me her Immigration-papers I told her I hope to start seeing some gratification, she sent me G10.000 the next time.I sent that G10.000 back and again paid the G10.000 sending fee.I have not heard of her since, good riddance!Before that and after I've only helped people I knew personally, and I can honestly write here today, I STILL HAVE MY SELF-RESPECT.

Paraguay may not be the land of milk and honey anymore, BUT taking things here as they are, and not trying to be "Father Christmas" with the local people only because you have "more" or think you "know" better maybe the ONE experience you can't achieve anywhere else on this planet.

LONG live the VIDA-TRANQUILO and "manana!"

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palanca40
  5/14/2010 04:14 EST

Boerpy you are right in that if you live in a country you need to respect the people. People coming to live in there country showing off with money and trying to show off there ways of doing things only alienate people. Juan I think wants to make sure that people coming to Py does exactly that. That they dont come with preconceived ideas of an easy cheap life. that when they come to paraguay they come with the knowledge that you have to earn the right to survive in PY. But again in the end it will be the people that come to PY that will see the way it is , and each one will make there own decision if its good or bad. A big decider will be the friend you make when you arrive.

Wallentin
  5/30/2010 19:32 EST

Hi, I am glad to hear that someone thinks its a good idea to move here with children - as I have just done so. Having visited Paraguay three times before I felt confident to relocate my children here and so far our experience has been great. My children just love it and have adapted so well! So far our freinds are only from Paragauy which is nice but I am also looking forward to meeting a few foreigners or whoever is around. Having lived in 4 different countries I am used to moving around but Paraguay is still a bit of challange at times... but a wonderful one at that - the people are lovely here and have made us feel so welcome. Its great to read this blog and get some ideas of safety and security concerns that I am suer exists here - but so far so good - we feel good here!

plesus
  7/23/2010 15:25 EST

@palanca40 I know it is a little bit off-topic, but -- if you are an Afrikaner family having problems expatriating from RSA -- have you considered the small settlement of Orania in Northern Cape Province (www.orania.co.za)?

BoerPy
  8/8/2010 11:36 EST

@plesus
Funny you should come up with Orania.About 2 months ago I met a person that was born and bred in Germany but as he finished school he on his own moved to SA, today he's lives in Orania and is as happy as a "pig in Palestine" over there.Not in the least interested to move any place else. Quite surprised I was I may ad, but then so must everyone find a little corner on this planet for himself.
@palanca40, wherever you may have ended, I hope its going good.

pieter132
  8/8/2010 17:04 EST

I read some negative about PY, but I can asure you that this country can give you a great lifestyle , better then south africa, not too much hassle and very low taxes, and the best you are welcome nobody will look down to you, bring some money and common sense and you can make here very good life

juan27
  8/9/2010 08:36 EST

Well Pieter, did you not read the news papers? On saturday again, a German couple, in the Chaco this time, were knifed down in their beds. Both were killed because they have been trying to bring to justice the murder of their daughter (she has been murdered last year and her suspected murder is behind bars). As soon those who charge disappear, the charges are dropped. Is that not funny? I have other stories like that for you if you like. We do our best to have Paragayan friends and we are very generous to different (private) charities but this does not mean we feel secure. The embassies are warning. Why do you not mention this Pieter? I am now too old to move and I do not want to move anyway, but if I had to redo it, to-day, I would never have the idea to come to this country. So your assurance that everything is fine here is at least silly and irresponsible. People like you are encouraging others to come here. Even with children!!! The good schools (all in Asuncion) are extremely expensive for most of the immigrants. You have troubles with your eyes if yo do not see all this. The misery in your natal country does not mean that Paraguay is the solution! On the contrary.

BoerPy
  8/9/2010 09:16 EST

@jaun27
MENNONITES!!! not Germans
Those people that were killed were MENNONITES!!!!
And the murderer of their Daughter was her own Husband, (also a Mennonite) who is now know to have sent them death threats from behind bars.

pieter132
  8/9/2010 10:04 EST

Juan, I believe you don,t read teh newspapers in west and eastern europe not to mention usa, crime is everywhere I think you know that too. Yes you can live in Zwitserland for example great life style only how you gonna finance that, again you need plenty money to do so, in most countries in europe students have to take a loan in order to pay for their study and then find out that they can,t find a job, better not to read a story in a newspaper, I don,t know the history of this crime but I can assure you PY ppl are proud ppl too

pieter132
  8/9/2010 10:23 EST

I worked and lived in europe, south africa and usa and I can assure you that if you live in bad area life is extremely hard , nowadays in whole europe and usa their is massive unemployment and whole countries in europe are on the brink of economic collapse. There is no freedom anymore you are just working to pay you taxes, south africa is the worst if you are a white man, you are discriminated every where, no I prefer PY if you deal with good circle of people it is good place to live, and I lived in many countries, in fact we live with kids in Asuncion and they go to national school, we have internet so all possible information the kids get , much better when I was young, PY is good place if you are self supporting, if you wanna live of state better go to west europe of course, crime I can only advise read newspapers in europe and south africa it is very extreme these times what all happens there, I am sure you have internet just read it

drlaurel
  8/22/2010 11:22 EST

Hi, we are also planning a move to Paraguay. My husband currently works there in banking. It is a country in bloom and is thriving. It has three excellent international schools that I know of, French, American and German. We are moving there with our three year old and 1 year old next summer. We have been looking in the area, Buenos Aires, Argentina...Paraguay is the best quality of life we think. Obviously our research is ongoing. It is very safe. No reported kidnappings, etc etc. It is growning exponentially. My husband is involved with large scale investment funds centered there. He is there every three weeks. If you have other questions, you can contact us.

juan27
  8/22/2010 15:33 EST

Dear Lady:
this is the kind of text everyone is waiting for. I mean the "ladrones". Your husband is safe? Lets wait a bit more. Than talk. You have obviously no idea. Except: this country is cheap. That too is, as you will soon discover, not exact.
Wishing all the best
Juan (who, alas, knows a bit more than you think to know)

pieter132
  8/22/2010 22:10 EST

hi if you want more information just mail me on [email protected], we have our kids at school at normal place not international for moment, in this way they adapt much better this country and later when they start highschool we will see, we have internet so we can teach them ourselves a lot too, PY is good when you take your time and get to know this country, it all depends with whom you have contact I guess it is all over the world same, succes Pieter

Lonewolfnl2002
  1/23/2011 15:06 EST

yes sure there are good schools and universitiets...IF YOU CAN PAY THEM!!!!!!!!!!!! and besiedes they only are in ASUNCION.
personaly I agree...better NOT move to PY with young kids. There are better countries arround.,...such as chile...or Uruguay fe.

regards.

Catji
  6/30/2012 10:00 EST

hi ,
It seems (from your forum profile) that you are living in Uruguay.

Greetings to BoerPy and Pieter132. :)

I am back to doing some searching and reading. I want to get out of SA. I don't want to be old here.

Regarding the discussion here about violent crime and safety...
Well, European and americans (unless they are from some area where majority of the people are african) would not understand.
Anywhere in the world (that is not having a war) is better than SA (in terms of safety and peace.)

Obamasucks
  8/12/2012 00:11 EST

"Well, European and americans (unless they are from some area where majority of the people are african) would not understand. "

I am an American and I recently toured my grandparents old neighborhood in Saint louis Mo. All the whites have been ethnically cleansed from a big chunk of Saint louis, none of my relatives would visit. I agree with you. You should leave SA.

jcmcf57
  8/31/2012 05:45 EST

I am trying to contact a guy (name Daan) who moved to Paraguay. Probably East of Asuncion. At Times corresponds with Landbouweekblad. Used to be part of an Afrikaans blog wheree the webmaster was in Canada.
Vague I know, but who knows

PieterH
  11/13/2017 02:50 EST

Hi, I note your question here is 7 years old but did you actually move to Paraguay

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