Suva, Fiji Report of what it's like to live there - 04/18/16
Personal Experiences from Suva, Fiji
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Baumholder, Germany
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Texas! From our home in Suva: a 20 minute flight to Nadi, an 11 hour flight to LAX, then a 4 hour flight to San Antonio, Texas.
3. How long have you lived here?
We have lived in Suva for 2.5 years now.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
My spouse works for the US Embassy, in Suva, Fiji.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Most banks and embassy families are in single family homes - not many live in apartments. Many houses have pools, and housing sizes vary greatly.
Most expats live in two areas of the city: The Domain and Tamavua.
Commute time in Suva is never more than 20 minutes to ANY one point.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
For local produce (pineapples, papaya, watermelon, lettuce, carrots, bananas, coconuts) prices are very cheap.
Meat is almost double the price of State-side pricing. Fish is very cheap (and tasty). Lobster, crab and shrimp are almost non-existent as they are shipped to the resorts first.
Anything imported is quite expensive, such as canned goods, cheese (is insane), berries.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
1) Patio furniture! Patio furniture is insanely overpriced here.
2) a BBQ. Also overpriced here, and we spend a lot of time having folks over, playing outside by the pool.
3) lightweight/fashionable rugs for the home. The indoor/outdoor rugs are great for this area/climate.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
McDonald's (barf). More expensive than State-side, but not too pricey.
Nando's - excellent rotisserie chicken & fries. (an Aussie franchise) Mid-range in pricing.
FatBurger - good burgers & wings, but pricey.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
During some seasons, ants are a problem, but they don't bite.
Mosquitoes are definitely a problem, which means that Dengue is also a factor here.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We work at the Embassy, so we have our own mail (pouch) service.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very inexpensive and they are wonderful - especially with children.
We pay US$20 USD per DAY and we pay on the high-end.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, we have about 3 decent gyms, but not one of them is air-conditioned (which can be very miserable here).
Gyms cost half the price of a Stateside membership. There are also oodles of fitness classes and groups throughout the city.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We have cut back on using cards due to some issues with our cards getting hacked. Most places accept cards.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Non-denomination, Assemblies of God, LDS, etc.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None, but it's nice & polite to learn some basics.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I believe so. Fiji has very few acceptable sidewalks, and only the larger/newer buildings would have wheelchair accessibility.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Expats typically only use taxis. Buses are a bit sketchy, and trains don't exist.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Do NOT bring a convertible - it will be broken into. Sad, but true...
A small SUV is perfect for here, but smaller cars are also fine. The #1 car on the roads in Suva is the Prius - they are everywhere.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
It's available, but not always "high-speed".
The cost is somewhat lower than State-side but you are limited in your usage each month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
If you can, have your cell phone unlocked before arriving here, then simply buy a local sim card. It's worked very well for us and many of our friends.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
From the States, quarantine is 30 days and very expensive (we brought in pets; the process was horrendous, but it's do-able).
There are only 7 vets in 331 islands, so getting a good vet in an emergency can be quite difficult. Suva has 1 full-time vet and the SPCA has rotating vets - many times the SPCA is left without a vet for several weeks.
We typically hire a house-sitter to stay with our pets when we travel as kennels don't exist.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Not really. Obtaining a work permit has become easier over the years, but it's still not promising.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Plenty! Fiji is still a developing country, so there are many groups here that welcome volunteers. Many of Suva's social groups are focused on helping local schools, hospitals, etc.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Much more casual than Stateside.
For men, suits and ties are rare. Most men wear a Bula shirt (similar to Hawaiian shirt) with khakis.
For women, skirts and dresses need to be just a few inches above the knee and shoulders mostly covered.
Open-toe shoes are acceptable for everyone.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Petty theft/crime. If it's not nailed-down, it will be stolen.
Most expat housing is well-secured with high fences and alarm systems. The good news is that violent crime is relatively low - criminals only want what you have - they want nothing to do with you.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Mosquito-borne diseases are a concern (dengue, zika), although most expats live in housing that either has A/C or screened windows, which helps tremendously.
There is a private hospital which does a nice job, but there are also many medevacs throughout the year for various reasons.
I do not recommend a life in Fiji for anyone who has chronic health problems, as that can be a definite problem.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Healthy! Very little pollution.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
The only seasonal problem here is mold.
Anyone with a severe food allergy would have to be very careful eating out. Most restaurants don't understand the severity of some food allergies.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It's almost always nice & warm here (although the locals are dressed in fleece at 75F!).
Fiji is lush and green, due to it's rainy seasons. The only bother is rough rain spells - sometimes a few weeks' of rain at a time is rough, especially for spouses who are not working.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is only the International School of Suva here, and we are quite happy with it. As a former teacher in the States, transitioning to this school was my biggest concern. The school community (kids & parents) are very welcoming. Our children are very happy, they are getting a good education, and they are getting a wonderful daily dose of culture as the school is comprised of over 40 different nations.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ISS does not have much to offer for children with special needs. They do have a learning support group that helps with ESL, and other minor learning challenges. There is virtually no assistance for children who may have physical challenges. (If you have a specific need, contact the school and they will help you assess whether your child would thrive at ISS).
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
There are several daycare options, but most expats are very happy with Little Ones and Kids First (both are found on Facebook). I'm not aware of exact pricing, but I do know that pricing is half (or lower) of Stateside pricing.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes and for great prices. Soccer, rugby, netball, AFL, martial arts, gymnastics, dance classes (traditional & island style).
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Suva has a large expat community and they are very welcoming. Even though it's a small city and you're limited to the island, you can only be bored if you choose to be. Expats are mostly happy here, although every community has to have it's negative-Nellys hanging around...
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Many BBQs, cocktail nights, formal fundraisers, you name it. It's very easy to assimilate into the expat community here.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
A great city for families & couples. I'm not sure about singles, as I honestly don't know many.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
My guess is no, as Fiji is still very conservative.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
We have seen less racial and religious prejudices here than in the States. Suva is very multi-cultural, and everyone gladly celebrates Diwali, Ramadan, Christmas, you name it.
Within the Fijian culture, women are still not as respected as they should be.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
1) The people we meet. Fijians are always smiling, always humble, always putting others first.
2) Downtime on the islands! Although Suva is a port (no beach!) it's quite easy to island hop and spend a weekend in paradise.
3) Learning to take life at a slower pace. It's a rough adjustment, but it's wonderful when you finally cross over!
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Driving up to Colo-i-Suva rain forest. A 15-minute drive from Suva. Hike through the rain forest, and cool off in the waterfalls!
Take the Navua River day tour (30-minute drive from Suva). Go up river to a waterfall. Come back down river and spend lunch in a village, meeting the locals, eating a lovo lunch, and visiting their one-room school.
Hop on a boat and stay at Leleuvia Island. Unplug, enjoy the fabulous beach.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Beautiful handicrafts, such as Tapas, wood carvings, jewelry, "Bula" wear (tropical printed fabrics).
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The slow pace of life is very nice (although "Fiji Time" is typically the biggest part of culture shock when expats transition to Fiji).
Fijians are very welcoming and they love children. Our children have much more freedom here, as crimes against children are extremely rare. Our children also run barefoot and have a lot of play/downtime at school, which we think is very important in their young lives. Children's activities are also very inexpensive (my son's private guitar lessons are US$5 per hour!).
We enjoy the year-round warm temperatures (but you also have to endure the rainy season as well).
We appreciate that our children are learning about true poverty, first-hand. This is something they can never truly understand from reading a book.
10. Can you save money?
You probably could save some money but we spend what we could save on travel.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
That I would have to get very creative with cooking. Sometimes basic staples and spices can disappear off shelves for months at a time. Luckily we have lots of fun online cooking/recipe sites these days!
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Make-up, fancy dresses, high heels. Life is casual here. Relax.
Bicycles (there isn't much space to ride them as sidewalks are so shabby).
Convertible autos.
4. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrellas, light rain jacket, flip flops, mosquito repellent with DEET, monthly feminine products (very limited supply here), any prescriptions, bathing suits for the family (they aren't easy to find here for everyone).
5. Do you have any other comments?
We are incredibly happy with our life here in Fiji but Fiji isn't for everyone. I don't recommend Fiji for those who may be dependent on first-world products, privileges and lifestyle.
