Port Au Prince, Haiti Report of what it's like to live there - 05/03/09
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?
No.
2. How long have you lived here?
2 years .
3. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
2 hours from Miami.
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?
Commuting to the Embassy, 2 hours each way with a 6am departure, is about the worst thing about living here, as far as I can see, as are just pretty terrible traffic conditions
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is largely available, if very expensive. Using your sconsumable allowance is a good idea, but even decent meat is now finding its ways into the stores.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing special.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All dining out is very expensive and can be good...but not especially. I am proud to report that fast food has not hit Haiti yet, except for Dominos --which I have happily boycotted for many years. There's so much bad pizza in this world, we must do what we can to encourage good pizza.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
I've never seen the 'cockroaches' others complain over, or anything else troublesome. Except one morning: a wonderfully black, large tarantula was crawling across my floor to my bed.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Only through the Embassy.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
About US$10/day for someone not working full-time would be a good rate.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Not very much...there's a gym at the embassy, and a pool. Tennis courts can be found but they expensive, esp. with instructors.
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?
None, don't bother.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Pretty cheap and good cable.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Creole would be most helpful, but French can get you along. Some people are suggesting in these reports that you can live and work here in English only. but i can't understand why anyone interested...and knowing about living overseas...would suggest that for Haiti?
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Oh, a lot and too many to list.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Well, all of us especially lucky and priviledged folk associated with the grand US Government aren't allowed to take these. They're affordable enough, but really uncomfortable and pretty dangerous, simply because of bad traffic and bad driving.
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?
Bring a small SUV that you're prepared to have pretty much banged around for a few years.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, about US$80/month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
No.
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?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Not so good.
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 unless you're involved in development work.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Pretty much business casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate, the winds keep the air mostly clear.
2. What immunizations are required each year?
3. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Well, most expats are under pretty strict guidance, and for fair reasons. But security is improving now, for the better part of the year.
4. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
There are lots of decent doctors and dentists around, but hospitals are very bad. You wouldn't want to get in a bad accident. You can expect some stomach bouts ---but generally we priviledged types are looking pretty healthy to me.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Oh, generally very nice. It can get tropical hot and rain in the evenings.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Well, they aren't particularly 'good', but if you have kids who are under 10, I'd say, 2 years at the American school here would be 'okay' and not 'life-setting' backwards, as others seem to suggest.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Oh, very little here.
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?
Yes, quite a few private, fairly okay preschool facilities are available.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Not very much im afraid. It can be a bit on the boring side for younger kids, I can imagine
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large, and some are even interesting, beyond the security and embassy crowd.
2. Morale among expats:
People I know and befriend here LIKE Haiti, as I do, and feel quite happy...or at least 'productive'..living here.
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?
Well, pretty limited. There are about 4-8 restaurants people frequent, only about 3-5 'night life'centers, and the 'scene' is not so very inspiring. Unless you get to the 2or 3 real Haitian nightclubs that are just fabulous, I think, with not a white soul in them.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Well, it can be a bit lonely for a single person, with not a lot of places to go to or things to do...very much so. But it is good enough, if you have the strength to get out and battle driving and traffic and finding hard to find places.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, it isn't. I'm one of few expatriates that saw a gay fashion show, of a type...and it reminded me of the gay scene in the US about 30 years ago, and how uncomfortable people are about 'coming out'. The Kompa music is great, and I find it to be a really 'festive' culture But it's conservative as well.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No, not unless you are particularly -- and unnecessarily -- spooked by voodoo, which is an interesting thing to learn about.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Beaches, drives up in the mountains, a few concerts, dances, .. Cultural events happen but it's very hard to figure out where and when they take place.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Paintings, art, great privately-guided tours for weekends away (but such getaways can cost $3-$400/weekend).
9. Can you save money?
Yes, if you're fairly careful about how you spend it.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely. If I came to know it much better...and had more confidence in how to arrange what...I could even like to have a part-time retirement place here.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Thoughts that Haiti has to be a hardship assignment.
3. But don't forget your:
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
"The Uses of Haiti" is about the best, short primer on most of it.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
"The Uses of Haiti" is about the best, short primer on most of it.
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
7. Do you have any other comments?
Haiti and Haitians can just be terrific...the poor place is blasted by bad storms, bad luck, and a terrible government...so it can become a bit despairing. But I'm delighted that I got to come here and I wish for others considering this place that hey Really Come...and bring younger children...because it's so wonderful and special and needs positive in-comers.
