Paramaribo, Suriname Report of what it's like to live there - 11/26/10
Personal Experiences from Paramaribo, Suriname
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
5
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?
DC/NYC - it is very hard to get back to the US.DC requires layovers in Aruba or Trinidad and Miami. There is a direct to JFK from Trinidad. Travel takes about 12 hours to reach the east coast.
3. How long have you lived here?
~8 months
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
FSO at US Embassy
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
The longest commute is 20 minutes, with bad traffic. It is a small city and gets congested at times. Housing is spread around. I like the houses but some others do not. They are small for a 25% diff post but that is the way they are built in this area. They are well maintained by the staff.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is now available, but you will pay for some items from the US.Some Dutch brands are available at fair prices. Produce is hit or miss.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Food processor, nuts, bulk olive oil, flat screen TV. All are available, but expensive.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are several fast food places. There are cheap local places with great Indonesian and Chinese, as well as Maroon foods. And there are high end restaurants catering to expats.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
At restaurants, I am not sure, but in super markets you can get anything. I have vegetarian friends and they do fine.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes, creepy things, mosquitos, need to watch for ants and take care not to leave food around.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Thru the pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Yes, and cheap. 50 SRD ($15) per visit of about four hours of cleaning is norm.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes.
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?
They work but I use the embassy cashier.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Direct TV is available. Local TV is in Dutch and Spanish.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None, usually, but it is much appreciated.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
This is not a handicap friendly city. One street will have sidewalks, and the next will not. Very few businesses can accommodate a wheelchair.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, and yes. No trains, buses are crowded and hot, but taxis are all over and cheap.
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?
SUV. Something with high clearance because it floods all of the time (although it doesn't last long). Also, you need 4WD for the interior!
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. Affordable.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
They have them here.
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)?
There is one new kennel open but I don't know about it. There are several decent vets.
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, but there are 3-4 EFM positions.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Casual due to the heat (linen and collared-shirts).
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No, this place is safe as long as you follow the usual rules.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
There is some dengue in the city now and again, weird bugs in the jungle, heat. The medical care is less than stellar and evacs are not unheard of for major work.
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?
Good. It is humid so that isn't great.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot, hot, and hot. In the 90's year round. Humid. You get used to it. The short rainy season is the best (Nov-Feb) with temps a bit cooler at night.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
I cannot comment personnaly but there are several options. There is a Christian school as well as a new one that recently opened as an alternative.
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?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small, but lots of Dutch tourists and stagieres (interns).
2. Morale among expats:
Medium-High. It seems to depend on the personalities at the embassy and how well people are able to adapt and meet new people.
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?
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is fast becoming a "family post" for those with young kids. That said, there are plenty of clubs/bars/restaurants open all night for those seeking entertainment outside the house. It is a small Embassy so you have to seek friends and opportunties outside the small community, but it is there to be found.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
The people in Parbo are relatively liberal, but they do have the Caribbean attitude against homosexuals and it can be overheard once you get to know them. On the other hand, I have several gay friends and they do alright. I think they just have to know where they are and who they are with.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No. Very diverse and harmonious.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
So far, travel to Devil's Island off French Guyana, five days in the interior, quick hops to the islands.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
See the interior, learn about the history, take river tours, hit the islands, visit the bars, do some day trips out of the city.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Tours of the interior and bush plane flights to hard-to-reach areas.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It is 80% rain forest and there are opportunities to make it the Amazon; living in a place that few have ever heard of and experiencing a place that is often overlooked. There are two rainy seasons and it is tropical weather. The diversity of the culture(s) is amazing.
11. Can you save money?
Absolutely.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, but I think two years is long enough.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Long-sleeved shirts and desire for sushi.
3. But don't forget your:
Jeep and sunglasses.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
The River Bones and The Shaman's Apprentice.
