Pat Gross

Does anyone know what it is like to live in Abidjan, for an expatriate American? Esp. cost of living, lifestyle, safety and health care...We're exploring global employment options. Thanks in advance.

Joseph W Parker

Abidjan is an excellent place to live in Africa. All the comforts of modern life are available, and cost a bundle. Hopefully, your employer will pick up the cost of housing. Monthly utilities bills can run more than the rent (220v 50 hz). Available housing is spaceous and cofortable. Security is a major concern, insure you have guards on the house and a good alarm system. There is so much to do in your free time - beaches, parks, restaurants - you needn't worry about getting bored. Communications can be difficult, phones work but always seem to conk out (even portables) at the worst times. The police are uniformed, which helps identify them from the other criminals. Corruption is like most other places in Africa: rampant. However, you learn to live around it. Food is very cheap and plentiful. Enjoy, but avoid uncooked vegetables like salads. Make sure you take a distilation or filtering unit for water. The airport is tolerable. Take a solid good car (like a Chevy Suburban or Tahoe) as accidents can put you in a health bind. There is an excellent Chevy dealership in town with spares, etc. They can even sell you a Chevy made for Africa, with leaded fuel engine, etc. Health care is available, its good, and its cheap. The Canadian hospital is best.

If you have a chance to work in Abidjan, take it!

Cathy

Geeeeee, Joseph! You make it sound like paradise on earth! haha

Dolores Shelton

Joseph, <BR>I plan to visit Abidjan in August, 1999 for two or three weeks. I will be staying with locals. What is the weather like in August? Is it safe in the markets for a woman alone? Do women have a problem driving in the city? I have accessed a website that shows an aerial view of the city and it looks like any other large metropolitan city in the U.S. I was surprised when you suggested a water filtration system. Does that apply to water in people's homes? Hotels? Restaurants? or in the bush?

Liz

Doloris, My brother is on an LDS mission in the Ivorie coast. Being a white American, the africans think that we are all rich so they take advantage of you. The food takes some getting use to. He says the rat is good if you just get past the fact that you are eating a rat. The cost of living isnt as much as it is in America, but American things such as Deoderant are expensive because it is an American thing. They have plenty of whitch doctors if you ever have a health problem. <BR> Good Luck!

fred

I and my family just returned from a two week visit to Dakar and Banjul - north of Cote D'Ivoire. It was wonderful for us: we're Africans born and raised in America. It was different than our culture and lifestyles in the US: but it should be - these folks are not European. The people were very friendly, curious, and enterprising. We encountered no malevolence or vindictiveness, and perhaps since they are predominantly muslim in the area (90%), they don't eat rat, pork, donkey, lizard, etc. We didn't encounter any "witch" doctors either. . . <BR>Oh, and incidently, we learned in our research that there are virtually no sex crimes in the countries: no rapes, assaults, abuse, etc. <BR>We are now looking for ways to move there. Permanently.