What do expats find most challenging?

We asked expats and digital nomads what they find the most challenging about the local culture in Porlamar. They wrote...

"Expats in Porlamar often find the language barrier to be the most challenging aspect of the local culture. Additionally, the lack of reliable public transportation and the high cost of living can be difficult to adjust to. Furthermore, the political and economic instability in the country can be a source of stress for expats. Finally, the cultural norms and expectations can be difficult to navigate for those who are not familiar with them," wrote a member who made the move to Porlamar, Venezuela.

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"There were a few...supplies at the grocery were sometimes little to none. You could go on any day and there would be no milk, no butter, certain types of meat..as well as household/kitchen items. Getting used to 'armed' guards at certain locations..like the grocery or your local panaderia. There were sometimes water shortages that were supplied into your home..and running the water through a tank/pump system was sometimes frustrating. Two of the hardest things for me were the amount of garbage that was dumped anywhere.. and seemed everywhere. And there seemed to be very little compassion for animals..particularly dogs and cats. I saw many hungry and un-cared for dogs. It was heart-breaking," explained one expat living in Porlamar, Venezuela.

What do expats find most challenging?

If you live in Porlamar, newcomers to Porlamar would love to hear your answer to this question.