Yangon, Myanmar Report of what it's like to live there - 05/18/16
Personal Experiences from Yangon, Myanmar
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
We lived in Shanghai before Yangon.
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?
California. We usually fly back via Taipei or Tokyo.
3. How long have you lived here?
One year and eight months.
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?
Given the wider range of facilities, serviced apartments are more comfortable in general. The commute isn't unacceptable if you manage to live in the same neighborhood where you work.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
At marketplace you can find many imports from Australia, Singapore, Thailand, and many Japanese and Korean products at Pro-Mart. Sometimes items can be out of stock for a while. Be prepared you might have to go to more than one supermarket to find everything on the shopping list.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Sunscreen, bug spray, wine.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
In general you pay a U.S. price (without tips) for good quality of western food at expat-targeted restaurants such as Parami Pizza, Sharky's, Yangon Bakehouse, Fahrenheit, Alamanda... For Asian options you can pay less for the same qulity of food at expat-running restaruants like Easy Cafe, House of Singapura, First House, Ichibankan, Yoogane...
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Many households have to flight with ants, though you would kind of give up the fight after a few months. Mosquitoes all year around and they carry dengue. Bring sufficient bug spray as you may need it every time you go outdoors Sprays available locally don't really work well for some reason. There's also a type of flying insect that only shows up during the rainy season.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
APO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Domestic help is pretty affordable and common among expat families.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most serviced apartments have work-out facilities. There are a few newly open gyms available too. Member fees are not cheap though. Given the climate and poor infrastructure (lack of sidewalk, street nights, etc.), you might not enjoy running outside really.
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?
Nearly none of the shops or restaurant would accept any foreign currency since it became illegal. Few restaruants have signs for Visa and Master but they actually only take either (or neither). Visa is accepted at more occasions though you should always carry enough cash in case of a bad connection for the card machine. Also, ATMs are not always working with foreign cash cards. Generally, just expect to pay almost everything in cash.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can live in Yangon without speaking any local language.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There are very limited facilities to assist those with physical challenges.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
It's never easy for a foreigner to travel around Yangon by bus. Trains are oaky for tourists but not particularly for commuting between home and work. Taxi fare is negotiable and it's usually cheaper if you know how much you should pay for the distance and/or negotiate in Myanmar language.
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?
An SUV or 4X4 vehicle would be easier to drive in Yangon, which is especially true during the rainy seasons. For Toyota's and Nissan's cars owners, standarded maintaining services are reachable from the car companies.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
We pay US$125 per month for fiber Internet service which is fast enough to stream videos. The quality is unstable and can get very slow. Once every two months our Internet is out because our cable is broken for unidentifiable reasons. We have to pay the company to fix it and it takes up to three days for them to check the cable connected between the company and our house.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
MPT is the biggest telecommunication company and seems to have the best reception. But it is also the slowest when using data to get on the Internet. No carrier has whole coverage over the country. You might need multiple SIM cards from different companies when travelling outside of Yangon or major tourist destinations.
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?
There's no quarantine to bring pets into the country but there is limited medical care for pets in town. Stray dogs are not friendly to other animails in their territory. Stay cautious when walking your pets.
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?
There are good opporunities if you are willing to accept local salary and/or speak good local language.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Yes.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Generally very casual. Flip flops are widely accepeted. Shorts should be avoided when visiting a temple.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not until you have to travel to areas where conflicts between the military and armed ethnic groups occur.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Local medical treatment/services don't really meet international standards. But there are foreign doctors running clinics in town. Most expats go to Bangkok for dental care or other medical care.
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?
Not one of those most polluted cities in the world, but there's certainly pollution from the heavy traffic in town (especialy from old cars and buses). From time to time there are people in your neighborhood burning trash, and you can tell from the bad smell that it's harmful to your health. This is especially obivious during dry seasons when there's no rain for a few months. The sky just looks dusty.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Three seasons here: cool, dry, rainy season. The cool season is so pleasant that you would feel like spending all your time outside. Unfortunately it only lasts a couple of months, and then there comes the hot season which is made of countless days and nights easlily over 100F degrees. For the rainy season you might not find it that awful if sitting in the office is your routine. It, however, impacts a lot on your family members who gets soaked in the rain or stuck in floods while running errands.
Schools & Children:
1. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
American Club is one of the easiest place for kids to do sports.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There seems to be a fast growing group of expats arriving in Yangon.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Pool time, restaurants and bars. New arrivals usually enjoy shopping fabric and teak furniture. Galleries are the place to go to kill time and collect a few pieces during the rainy season (They say it's the season for better bargaining).
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
As the expats community grows, there are more restaurants, events, activites to go. But still, there hasn't been much going on in terms of night life. It won't be an issue if you like spending time at home. There are not many places kids could go and play either. Many expat families take turns holding a play date for their little ones.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Local people are on the conservative side towards LGBT issues. They somehow have more "opneness" when it comes to foreigners. There are a few gay-friendly restaurants and bars in town, as well as a monthly party.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
It's rarely a big probelm in the capital and especially not for expats.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Must be the hot air balloon ride flying over hundreds of temples in Bagan.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Nagar Glass Factory that was destroyed by a cyclone in 2008 is still operating as a "store". Expats or tourists like coming here to dig out unique pieces of hand-made glassware from the glass jungle. There are also several teak furniture vendors around Yangon where expacts like to purchase customized items for a reasonable price (although prices have been increasing with more expats shopping there).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Teak furnitures.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Local people are friendly to foreigners. We feel safe all the time in the country.
10. Can you save money?
Yes, if you cook more often and don't travel as much.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How slow the Internet is.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, if we could skip a few months of the rainy season.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Only few pieces of winter wear in case your are travelling when it's winter outside of Myanmar.
4. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
The Lady.
5. Do you have any other comments?
Domestic travel is not cheap in Myanmar. Hotel prices, in particular, differ a lot between high and low seasons. Still, it's much more pleasant to travel around Myanmar in the cool season. It's also great having a summer vacation aways from the rain. If money isn't your biggest concern, plan on domestic travel for cool seasons and overseas trips during the rainy season.
