Big Paraguay Inquiry Thread!

WARNING: THIS POST WILL LIKELY BE LONG AS HELL. IF YOU'RE A LAZY READER, YOU SHOULD PROBABLY NOT GO ANY FURTHER THAN THIS SENTENCE. JUST SAYING.



G'day, everyone. I've done some research, and have decided that Paraguay is a place I want to set up shop (live). Before anyone says anything, yes I'm going to learn both of the national languages. As of right now I know a bit of Spanish. Repeat: No problem learning their languages.

Okay, now that that's out of the way, let's talk about categories. By the way, I think I should  tell you this question is aimed towards the people with extensive knowledge on life in the country, not visitors -- as I plan to live there. Yes, I'll be travelling heaps, but my home will be here. So, uh, yeah . . . expats, nationals -- come out of hiding! You're needed!

LOCATION
I have a hankering for some city-life -- that means the capital, Ausuncion. I'm single and solo, so I don't need an uneccessarily large place to kick-it in, but I do like having space. I'm not too picky, really -- I'll take whatever I can get for the first years of my life there, however, I'm picky about bathrooms. So, something with a nice one would be capitol. I've read a lot of stuff so far, and see that Aunsuncion is the cheapest city in the world? Who can point me in the right direction here?

COST OF LIVING
What's it like for the bare essentials? Electricity/gas, water, power, rent/mortgage, etc -- what are the average prices for these things? If anyone has any info on city prices versus other prices, feel free to list them. I like to shop on Amazon, and when it comes to electronics, I buy enough. I plan on having two BlackBerry phones while I'm there -- one for work and one for personal. Is Verizon out there? Probably not. Where would I (1) get a BlackBerry, and (2) get a decent contract/plan? How much do electronics in general cost?

VEHICLE
I'd like to buy the 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid Limited. Read somewhere that you can get a brand new imported car for about $4000 (American Dollars). There aren't any Ford dealerships in Paraguay, but some in bordering countries. Would anyone know if it's cheaper to buy/lease one here versus America or any other Western country?

ENTERTAINMENT
As stated above, I'll be travelling mostly (and gaming) -- so I'll ultimately be left to my own devices, but I do like to socialise and explore my surroundings, so what's there to do in the country that involves some kind of social implement? Sports? Libraries? Anything at all -- let me know!

OTHER
What are the people like? I hear they're warm and friendly -- even more so if you make an effort to learn any of their languages. As someone interested in both Spanish and Gaurani, I think I'd get along well in this department. I like to expand my social sphere. Also, what are the women like? I don't mean things like prostitutes and sex slaves -- that's not how I roll. I mean the general female populace. I'm interested in going steady in a relationship. I read that large age gaps over there are common. Doesn't really bother me since it's their country and their culture What's off-putting about this, is that I can't tell if anyone's single or not, and I don't want to step on any toes, you know? It's a more conservative country, so that means there's less single people in general. From what I read, the women (much like the men) are warm and friendly and often attracted to foreigners who give a damn to learn a language. Does anyone have experience in this area? Hopefully I can start a family. I think that would be nice.

* I'm new here, so hi everyone! If this is in the wrong area, I apologise. BUT, I'm serious at least. So I'm not wasting anyone's time!

Like

Hello A3mbition.

Welcome to Expat.com! :)

Thank you for this introduction.

I hope other membrs will give you some feedbacks.

Do not hesitate to browse the other threads on the Paraguay forum. It can help.

Thank you,
Aurélie

Like

LOCATION
For renting apartments, you can look at classified adds http://clasificados.abc.com.py/rubro.ph … bro=CL3004

Avoid shopping del Sol, Villa Morra areas because of the price.  250 / 400 USD are reasonable prices that you can expect.  Mind that properties come unfurnished. You will have to buy fridge, bed, sofas, etc.  Try http://www.gonzalezgimenez.com.py/ when there are discounts 12% 20% at times.

COST OF LIVING
Bill ranges from 25 / 40 USD each for water, electricity, internet, cell phone bill.  Loans as a foreigners would be difficult but normally 12% per year for 20 years when you have a long established job and you can prove income.

Electronics are cheaper than in Argentina or Brazil but more expensive than in the US for instance.  BB service runs 125 USD / month for full email, bbm and internet on your phone.  this is service only, you buy phone and pay calls appart.

Verizon not available.  You have Tigo, Personal, Claro google for websites.  Importance on that order.

How much do electronics in general cost?  TV 300 / 500 USD for LED etc not the huge one but it is cheaper than in Brazil and Arg.  There is only 1% tax for electronics in Ciudad del Este in the border, so you can find good prices there or in Asuncion.  However, this would not be cheaper than in the US.

VEHICLE
The dealer for for is http://www.taperuvicha.com/  you wont find 2012 cars for 4,000 USD.  The cheapest you can get is a Kia Rio, Korean make for 13,000 USD 0km

there are not lease unless you go for BMW at 100,000 USD.  If you go for it google PERFECTA the dealer in the country.

Good luck!

Like

I'm bumping this until I get a response.

Like

Hey!!

I'm living in Paraguay too. I've been here quite a few times and I just have to tell you watch out cause everyone makes Paraguay seem like such a cheap country to live in but that's not true at all. Yes food and certain electronics you can get for a cheap price. But almost everything has their hidden fees, and if you're not careful you can be taken advantage of and be paying double what you have to.

When you look on clasipar for places to rent, I suggest you look in cities like san lorenzo, fernando de la mora, and capiata. They're all in gran asuncion and very close to the city asuncion. (there is a difference between gran asucnion and just asuncion)

To get a plan (which is what I'm currently working on right now) you have to have a paraguayan cedula. which is a paraguayan id. or you could look for someone to put it in their name for you. To get a cedula is quite a long process. Mine will take minimum a month but I have paraguayan parents so that makes the process alot shorter. The cheapest blackberry i've seen was 450.000 ($100~) and a plan would be around 40.000 to 100.000 a month.

I suggest you use the cellphone company claro. there is tigo and personal that are quite good too but I find claro to be the cheapest without havin worse qulity. If that makes sense.

CARS are extremely expensive here. I was told I could buy a newish car for about $2000 which is not even close to true. The cheapest I could find (that was still functional) was a 1999 toyota camry for $4200. but I can tell you if you have a 2012 Ford exlporer, you'll get alot of respect, and women ;)You can look for cars on clasipar too.

I'm selling my xbox 360 with kinect if you're looking to game ;) lol! but i suggest you go downtown asuncion in the evening. there is alot of activity there. Shopping villa mora has bowling and movies. The shopping malls in general are great hangout places.

May I ask how old you are? The thing about the older culture here is that normally people dont get married till they're about 25 - 30ish. 25 even would be far too young for some people. I dont know what your mentality about that is but for me getting married around 20 - 22 is more common. People here can be great, generous people. but at the same time they can be extremely selfish and two faced. I dont like to generalize too much cause everyone is different and I'm just telling you what I've noticed about paraguayans. Its up to you to chose who you associate yourself with. If you want to find a relationship I'm sure you'll find it very easy. The women here are very attracted to foreigners. I'm blonde and blued eyed and I get a lot of attention, sometimes unwanted, because of it. I found love here though and I've been with my boyfriend for over 2 years now. :D So best of luck to you !!

Like
Choose the best health insurance
Protect your health and get easy access to treatment for expats in Paraguay.
Open a bank account that suits you
Discover the best international banks to manage your money securely.
Plan your international move
Facilitate your move to Paraguay by getting a quote from our top rated movers.
Send money overseas at the best rate
For fast, safe and secure money transfers to and from Paraguay.