Port Au Prince, Haiti Report of what it's like to live there - 02/21/08
Personal Experiences from Port Au Prince, Haiti
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
I have previously worked in Africa.
2. How long have you lived here?
Nine months.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Author works for the U.S. government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
About 1.5 hours from Miami and there are four flights a day!
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
There are houses, duplexes, apartments - all ranging from ok to excellent. Maintenance has been horrible but there is a new facilities manager who is doing a great job getting all pending work orders completed -- this makes a huge difference.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everthing is here but very expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
A mediocre Dominos, a great Lebanese place, some good hotel restaurants. The French places are really hit or miss between bad and good on any given night.
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?
Available and affordable but slooooooooooow and/or lazy.
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?
ATMs but I'd only do it at a bank. You can use credit cards at supermarkets.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You need French or Creole but mostly for talking with your maid and/or gardener.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Many, many.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No and yes.
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?
Best is a used SUV that you don't mind getting scraped up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
US$80 for 256 (384?) and average quality.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
You buy them here instead of getting them free with a plan but they have cheap models.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Vonage.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
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?
No.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
I guess somewhere between unheathly and very unhealthy. Burnging garbage and dust cause problems, including eye irritations. People seem to get sick here a lot but don't know if that's pollution related or not.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes, there are areas you can't go to and curfew times as a result to kidnapping concerns. All homes have guards but, since the guards often sleep on the job, you must definitely take an active role in your home security - always lock down and alarm up.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Many I think. A lot of people seem to get sick here.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The weather is generally good.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
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?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small.
2. Morale among expats:
Really bad to good, it depends on the section you work in.
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?
Home or restaurants.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
No/No/No.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Leave.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Locally crafted airplane tickets out.
9. Can you save money?
Yes
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Not now, but maybe in a couple years when there's a shift change at the embassy.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
3. But don't forget your:
4. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Ghosts of Cite` Soleil.
