Port Moresby - Post Report Question and Answers
Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It is potentially a good city for single people and couples, which I can’t speak to personally, but it seems the restrictions on movement may feel suffocating for those who enjoy going out at night or who miss having a large expat pool of potential friends and dating partners. For families with young children, it is in many ways perfect. Compound living ironically provides more freedom than many neighborhoods back home (to run over to a friend’s house, for example, or to go to a playground independently) and household help is affordable. For families with teenagers, it is very difficult, as there is not much for high school students to do (too young to access the adult pool and adult-only gym, restricted from going out with friends due to safety concerns). Teenagers who are happy at their boarding school may be content to visit their parents only during the school holidays, but it is still a financial and emotional burden to have the family split in different countries. - Aug 2025
Good for families with kids under 12. From grade 7, the schooling lots of families leave or send their kids to boarding school in Australia. The international high school (POMIS) doesn't have a great rep. - May 2019
If you can get over the security and medical issues, this is fine for singles, couples and families with toddlers and perhaps babies. There are playgroups for toddlers and below on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday around the city, so you can easily meet other parents (mostly moms). I can't recommend it for school-aged children - it is just too isolating, and the school is not great. - Jun 2016
It is good for families, couples, and single men. A number of married men's families stay in Australia for school/safety reasons. - Jun 2008
