Yaounde, Cameroon Report of what it's like to live there - 09/29/08
Personal Experiences from Yaounde, Cameroon
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No.
2. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
3. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
Zurich/Brussels/Paris - 8 hours.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses tend to be quite large - our house is at least 3x what we had in Virginia. Yards are often less large - some have pools which is nice, though the American School, the U.S. Embassy and several other clubs also have pools. Construction quality is below what we are used to, but help is cheap. Expats live in the Bastos neighborhood - 5 to 10 minutes from downtown, embassies, shops and schools.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Western goods are readily available, but marked up significantly. Substitutes are available, but often of very low quality.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
More gifts for kids birthday parties - what they have available is overpriced junk.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Can get delivery pizza, take out rotisserie chicken, and many restaurants do deliver.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very available - US$100- 400 a month depending on how much you overpay. Domestics working for Cameroonian household get as little at US$50.
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Cameroon remains basically a cash society, and using electronic means is a risk we have chosen to avoid using cards.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes - a few.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Can get by in English - but French is needed to get around outside the expat zone.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, able-bodied persons are at risk from holes in the sidewalk, crumbling culverts, and odd bits of rebar poking out in unexpected places.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
On the right (most of the time anyhow).
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Train connecting Yaounde and Ngaoundere is safe and affordable, some bus companies are safe and reputable, many are overcrowded and very dangerous. Taxis are the sight of substantial crime - so the recommendation is that you contract with a known taxi driver(s) and call them when services are needed. Very affordable.
3. 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?
Recommend a 4x4 - as it is easy to get into places even in town where you want it. More important than traction though is clearance.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Available - very expensive.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one - they are ubiquitous and the best way to communicate. Coverage is very good in urban areas, and in a surprising amount of the country.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Use skype.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Decent vet.
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?
Some - especially NGOs.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Formal.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate to good.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
High crime - but mostly crimes of opportunity.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Lots of tropical diseases - funguses.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
We have three children in the American School of Yaounde and have been very happy with their experiences. Although the facilities are showing their age, the staff is excellent and dedicated to the kids. The student body is very diverse and fairly small (170 kids K-12) and has an extremely welcoming and tolerant feeling - and all of kids - who have extremely different personalities, have been welcomed, and feel happy and accepted. I should note that they are in the Elementary program, and the High School grades have struggled with a tendency to have a clique of French-speaking kids who have attended the school for many years.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
American school has a director with a special ed background, and a part-time special ed teacher.
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?
Cheap (US$300 month or less) household help is available - English or fFench speaking. The American school has preschool - expensive if you have to pay it yourself.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
A few hundred.
2. Morale among expats:
HIgh.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Very good for families - especially with younger kids - singles have limited nightlife, though the adventuring possibilities around the country are fabulous.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Technically homosexuality is against the law - so there is certainly a stigma to consider, but there is a community.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Expatriates are spared most of these injustices, but the role of women in society is certainly an issue for the locals. Religious tolerance is a strength of cameroon, and tribal tensions are very well hidden, but there are undercurrents.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Visit gorilla reserve - buy local handicrafts - go to go-kart track where the only restriction is your own good judgement - visit beaches of Kribi and Limbe, do a challenging hike up Mt. Cameroon, see crater lakes, small villages, traditional chieftains homes, see traditional festivals, dancing, music - go fishing, go on safari in the northern part of Cameroon (giraffe, elephant etc) - there is LOTS to see, though distances can be long and conditions bumby.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Handicrafts.
9. Can you save money?
Yes - tons.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
In a heartbeat.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Sweater.
