Tegucigalpa, Honduras Report of what it's like to live there - 11/09/09
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?
8th country in 21 years.
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?
2 1/2 hours to Miami.
3. How long have you lived here?
4 months.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
I hear housing is generally good but with small yards. We have a real nice house but yes, a small yard.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
I find prices reasonable here.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nada.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All the U.S. fast and slow chains it seems.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
A few mosquitoes.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO (APO)
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available and ours seems good. Price is reasonable.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, at the embassy, and there's at least one known gym -- but it's expensive.
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?
Well, we've already had a debit card eaten in an ATM, but we use our cc's a lot with no problems.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Don't know, we go Spanish when we go.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Cable pretty good and cheap.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Some.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Well, the grocery stores and malls I've seen seemed handicap-accessible but I can't say much more. Sidewalks can be bad but you're really not supposed to be walking anyway.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
You can only use "radio" taxis which are about $3 one way most places in the city.
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?
I'd say any kind -- you don't really need a 4X4 here. We have a 4X4, but a cheap, locally purchased sedan is the daily driver.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Mine is tied in with my cable package, and my 1mb circuit really seems to be 1mb. Fair price.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Employees get one and can put their spouses on a plan.
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?
Don't know, but there are a fair number of EFM jobs for this size Mission.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
At work the usual. In public, like a lot of latin countries, if you're a guy wearing short pants you may be the only guy doing so.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Moderate.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
We feel really safe here, but you do have to pay attention to your sorroundings.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
None that we know of and HU is good.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Great weather.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Discovery, which is considered good for lower grades, and American which is considered good academically for all grades -- but I think it is kind of closed socially to expats at the high-school level.
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
At the American school, yes.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
I'm kind of new but I'd say small.
2. Morale among expats:
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?
Meeting for supper, BBQs at home.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think for all.
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?
Not that I've seen.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The carib beaches. The Pacific beaches. Copan. Soto Cano. El Salvador. In town there are lots of restaurants and a mall and theater for the kids.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Trips, wood furniture, pottery.
9. Can you save money?
Yes.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
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?
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you have any other comments?
For some reason it takes most people a while to get into their houses. Nothing at all was done with my HHE/POV/UAB until I started asking, even though I found out later Miami Despatch had sent C&S here an e-mail a couple of weeks prior to my arrival saying it was ready to be forwarded to post. Start asking about your shipments your very first day.
