Here is the latest on the real places where we
live around the world. Anecdotes, impressions, frustrations, and joys.
Life beyond the official word in many of the important cities around
the world. We encourage English-speaking expats of all types,
even kids, to send us their views on living abroad. But please wait until you have lived in a new city for about six months before you go public with your thoughts.
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One hundred and forty-eight new reports have been posted in 2010
New Delhi, India: "Delhi can be challenging, but it is a fascinating city in a fabulous country. Try to get out as much as you can and travel. And remember why you came to India in the first place. " 8/14
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: "I honestly do not know of ANY advantages to living in the Dominican Republic. Your touring opportunities are limited to visiting the various resorts, which are VERY expensive." 8/14
Tijuana, Mexico: "If you are the kind of person who can look past the crime threat and corruption, then you will find plenty to do. And if not, just drive to San Diego and do your thing." 8/12
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: "Addis is actually quite safe. I walk across town routinely in daylight hours and, apart from the usual begging and occasional hassle, have not yet had a problem." 8/12
Bogotá, Colombia: "We love our apartment. It's about a 30-minute drive from the embassy when traffic is good, but it takes more than an hour when it's bad. Everyone's in apartments, even the DCM." 8/8
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: "U.S. Embassy housing is all single-family homes. All have pools and most have some sort of yard. If you have school-age kids, Zone du Bois may be best, but the housing there is older." 8/8
Podgorica, Montenegro: "This embassy is still in the mind frame of having single employees. It can be difficult for families, as you feel isolated if there happen to be no other families here." 8/5
Bogotá, Colombia: "The air is much better than in most big cities. I normally have terrible allergies, but I haven't suffered nearly as much from them since we've lived here." 8/5
Monrovia, Liberia: "The country is slowly rebuilding after a long civil war when the infrastructure and society were completely decimated. Imported foodstuffs are expensive, but the local food is very affordable." 8/4
Peshawar, Pakistan: "Would you still go there? Yes, but I wouldn't it recommend for anyone sane. It's like living in a war zone but without any of the support infrastructure of a war zone. The work is challenging and frustrating." 8/4
Madrid, Spain: "Housing is great! We have 5 bedrooms and a pool. Most of the housing for families is about 30 minutes from the embassy (if there is no traffic) and near the American School of Madrid." 8/3
Kabul, Afghanistan: "Afghanistan is an amazing country - beautiful scenery, nice people, and good food. Unfortunately, most expats are confined to compounds and don't have many opportunities to experience it" 8/3
New Delhi, India: "I have never seen pollution like there is here. Houses get very dirty with a black dust. In winter, people burn wood, so the air is dirty and many get upper respiratory infections." 8/2
Moscow, Russia: "If you enjoy big city attractions, going out, and the allure of the bright lights, you can have a wonderful time. Those looking for something quieter or calmer should look elsewhere." 8/2
Kuwait City, Kuwait: "Driving is the only real danger here. There is no courtesy given whatsoever! You're likely to see at least two accidents per day. And a deadly one maybe once a week. " 7/30
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: "Groceries and imported products are easy to find---the main grocery store in town is a subsidiary of the U.S. grocery store Safeway and stocks all of the regular Safeway-brand products." 7/30
Tel Aviv, Israel: "Never forget that Israel is first and foremost a Middle Eastern country. It is not New York. Many people come here and make that mistake and end up disappointed and upset." 7/26
Santiago, Chile: "If you like the outdoors, then Chile is a must. If you're looking for a cosmopolitan experience, then Chile may not be what you're looking for." 7/ 26
Kuwait City, Kuwait: "Bring a quad-band unlocked phone from the States and use a Kuwait SIM card. Phones can be purchased here but they are pricey." 7/21
Rangoon, Burma: "It's an easy life. A lot like going back in time in many ways, but that has its charms. I'd say 90% of those posted here like it." 7/21
The Hague, Netherlands: "Housing is great. Everyone who has arrived during the last year or so seems happy. The housing board has really made some good decisions on housing." 7/20
Lima, Peru: "It is quite amazing to see how your very nice, intelligent, worldly Peruvian colleagues change into mean, stupid sociopaths once they get behind the wheel of a car." 7/20
Frankfurt, Germany: "It is well known that the apartments here house only Americans. It is embarrassing to think that this loud, dirty and ill-kept community represents the U.S. to our German neighbors." 7/19
Libreville, Gabon: "Despite the high prices here, it's not too hard to save money because of the general lack of things to do in the city and the relative difficulty of getting away from the city." 7/ 19
Bucharest, Romania: "Bucharest is a traffic-clogged, ugly and unfriendly city. We have lived on five continents, in both first-world and developing-world countries. This has been our least-favorite place." 7/16
Frankfurt, Germany: "Until they get rid of the compound, morale will always be low and it will always be hard to fill positions here. It doesn't help that the COLA is low, too, considering the costs of everything." 7/16
Ankara, Turkey: "I think families and couples like Ankara much more than singles do. There is a large American community here, both diplomatic and military. Kids enjoy Ankara and all the activities the DOD school offers." 7/15
Jakarta, Indonesia: "Jakarta is much safer than one would imagine after listening to the international media. For the most part, criminals do not target foreigners as they do in other countries. I feel safer in Jakarta than I do in Washington, DC." 7/15
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