Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 06/24/13
Personal Experiences from Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I've spent many years overseas.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Miami. 2 1/2 hours?
3. How long have you lived here?
3 years and recently left.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
USG
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses with small yards for the most part, and a couple apartments.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Almost everything is here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Not much.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Almost all the fast food groups are here except tacos by Bell :) Also some good seafood and steak places.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Few household insect problems but there can be dengue issues -- although most of that is not in areas where we live and work.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO -- mail comes in 3 x a week on average.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Readily available, reasonably priced but, if you inherit one who has worked for another mission memeber before, plan on paying more, for less work, than if she came from a local employer.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
AID and embassy both have gyms, plus there are commercial gyms.
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?
In my experience it is safe, although I only use mine at big stores.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
No, yes. Cable/5mb internet packages for $75 per mo.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
I think it really helps to have some.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Many -- very few intact sidewalks.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes. But only "radio taxis" are approved.
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?
Any type really -- but roads are bad. So if you have a sedan, plan on going through shocks and brakes more quickly than if you had an SUV.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Go through the embassy provider to get the best deal.
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?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes.
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?
Few.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work ranges between suits and khakis. In public, you don't see many guys in shorts unless they're gringos :)
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
YES. Although I feel safe at home and at work, and while driving with tinted windows, I look out my peephole before I leave the house, and I look around very well before I get out of my parked car. No walking or jogging recommended, day or night, in most areas.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Nothing major in Tegu.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Most of the year it's ok, but a certain time of year they burn vegetation outside of Tegu and the smoke and cinders come into town.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
In general I'd say nice.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Am School is ok and has either AP or IB programs. One of the middle-school teachers came across as biased towards locals, and another was teaching a subject she wasn't trained in. Middle school principal also seemed biased towards locals. There are a lot of rich kids with drivers there though, so your own kids might not fit in perfectly in terms of getting to go places day or night like the local kids. Mine have been fairly content. My oldest though, left after one year. He didn't get bullied, but he felt that their curriculum wasn't strong enough to get into a top-tier school.
Most folks with kids at the Discover School seem happy, although most of the kids that go there arein the lower grades.
2. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes, AmSchool has sports, and there is or was a kids' softball game on Saturdays.
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:
I'd say ok to good.
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?
BBQs, house parties, happy hours.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I don't know that it's a good city for families, as due to security there is not much to do in the city for families -- except the mall, movies, and restuarants. There is a small club scene.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Roatan, Tela, and the beaches in El Salvador.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Beaches and resorts on either coast. Valle de Angeles is a small town with resutarants where it's safe to walk around.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Beach trips?
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Everything is very close together for most people -- work, home, school, groceries, mall, theater.
9. Can you save money?
YES.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
YES.
2. Do you have any other comments?
Bring your patience. Shipping and customs are horrible here, so immediately upon arrival, ask about your shipments and stay on them on a weekly basis until you get everything. Voucher processing is also horribly slow, so you will need to follow up with them, too, starting at about the two week mark.
