Yaounde, Cameroon Report of what it's like to live there - 05/14/12
Personal Experiences from Yaounde, Cameroon
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, Addis Ababa.
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?
United States.
3. How long have you lived here?
6 months.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Spouse's work.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is a problem. There are plenty of houses but also lots of apartments. Problem is securing one. There are termites in the rental that are making me sick but the management won't do anything.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Expensive. Fresh fruit and vegetables are freshest in the local markets, but you have to be careful and pick yourself. The sellers don't like to but will sell smaller quantities. 6 pack of President milk at Casino will cost you 6290CFR, small loaf of bread 450cfr at Calafatas, 6pk of Water 1830cfr, Cheerios 4290cfr, 3 pk paper towels 1490cfr. You have to negotiate when shopping and best buys can but are not always at Marche Centrale.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Pizza Roma and the Cafe upstairs are decent. There is a rotiserre chicken place a block away on Bastos. La Boulangerie Calafatas is the best bakery and has some decent quick pastries for lunch. I would stay away from Dolce Vita... hygiene does not appear to be their area of interest.
5. What kinds of organic, vegetarian and allergy-friendly foods are available, such as organic produce, gluten-free products, meat substitutes for vegetarians, etc?
Limited. Don't count on organic produce; you just don't know.
6. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosguitos, ants, roaches.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Post office.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
PROBLEM!!! Hygiene, quality of work, comprehension. Need to observe and teach or expect to get stained clothes, floors washed with dirty water, bathroom sponges/cleaners used for other parts of the house. We have someone come in 3 days per week, 4 hours per day and do not let her enter the kitchen.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Don't know.
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?
A pain in the neck especially around pay day. Expect long lines and ATMs that have no money to dispense.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic - very difficult to find but available. I prefer mass at Mont Febbe.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Don't have TV. Newspapers are available in English.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
In Yaounde FRENCH is important but you can get by with a dictionary, lots of patience and perseverance. Having a driver who can help translate has been a life-saver.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There are no ramps and even the ones that exist would be a problem. Also, doorways do not accommodate wheelchair access.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
There have been scenarios where foreign passengers have taken taxis that already have other local clients and the foreigners have been mugged. You must negotiate if you take a taxi. Find yourself a reliable driver and stick to him. 2500cfr for no AC, 3000+ with AC.
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?
We pay a driver with auto.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Available.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Indispensable.
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?
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
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 doubt it.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Casual. Women tend to overdress, sometimes inappropriately.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes, but if you take precautions (well secured home base, travel with someone, don't carry lots of cash, don't show all your jewelry, stay away from tougher areas...), you should be fine.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Yes, starting with malaria. If you have allergies or asthma, be careful.
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?
Depending on where and when, the weather can be moderate to unhealthy.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Tropical. Rain comes for a short time (anywhere between 30 minutes to several hours).
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
The American school is expensive and located near the Hilton Hotel which places it far from people in most housing areas, considering traffic can be a nightmare. The recommended school has a long waiting list and so you have to find a place that 1) has English (if that is your language) or will facilitate communication for your child 2) ask lots of questions because information is not easily given (discipline, hygiene, curriculum, communication, calendar, syllabus, credentialing/certification, health reports of staff, student/teacher ratio)...
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Don't know. Appears to be limited, even at American School.
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?
See above. Eccole Le Flamboyant #1 recommended but it has a long waiting list. Soleil #2 recommended.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
I doubt it. Most childhood activities appear to center around school.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Not very big in comparison to other countries.
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?
If you are single with friends and auto, ok I guess.
3. Morale among expats:
Annoyed.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Not for families. It is not child-friendly. There are no parks; playgrounds are connected to businesses that charge for use of OLD rides, many which are not safe; limited sidewalks makes going for a walk a problem depending on neighborhood; apartments do not have areas for children to play; water IS A HUGE PROBLEM (we are on 4 days of NO water, no one reminds you to get water storage containers); home owners/building managers/realtors do not tell you that it is on you to install mosquito screens or water filters or water storage tanks for rentals that do not include it; when you rent you have to register in your name and will need a map showing the address, a receipt of a previous bill, and an authorized letter for the transfer of services to your name; restaurants; single person may get pretty lonely unless they have friends and wheels.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
NO. The people here are VERY homophobic.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that we have witnessed, but there are prejudices from the French Cameroonian toward English-speaking Cameroonian
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Staying home with my child.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
VERY limited: Primate Park and Ebogo. If you don't have a family you could go to the restaurants and be done with all of them within a week.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Sad to say but Cameroon does not have anything worth buying. Other than masks, there is nothing that can be pointed to as memorable. They have cloth that they imprint with logos for every holiday but after shopping for local cloth I found that it too is imported.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
11. Can you save money?
NO!
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Good clothes. Nowhere to wear them and they will get damaged by bugs.
3. But don't forget your:
Bug repellant, medicine including over-the-counter meds like after-bite creams, ibuprofen, antacids, children's products. MOVIES!!!!!
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?
I wish I had found this site before we came. It is hard to get connected. There is a playgroup that gets together and shares information, but it is limited. Consider yourself on your own. Check grocery stores' bulletin boards for info.
