Yaounde, Cameroon Report of what it's like to live there - 01/27/25
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?
Not the first, Kampala and Kigali before Yaounde.
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?
Home is USA, West Coast. Trip is best on Turkish, LAX direct to Istanbul, then Istanbul direct Yaounde. Total time is about 24 hours. Very hard and expensive to get in and out of Yaounde airport, NSI. 7-8 military and passport checks, plus, in my opinion, rude staff and blatant disrespect for the laws and protocols.
3. What years did you live here?
2022-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Teaching
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is spacious and large. Bastos is where the majority of expats and diplomats live. Traffic is awful at times so plan to be late or leave doubly early. Road conditions are even worse than the traffic, so bring a 4x4 SUV.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries and imported items are plentiful and mostly reasonably priced. Dairy in general is fantastic here for Africa. Being a French colony, the wine, cheese and bread is amazing here compared to East African supermarkets.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Mexican ingredients, cereal, hot sauce, yellow mustard, Cheetos and brownie mixes.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Resturants are very expensive and there are no apps like JumiaFood or UberEats. Each restaurant delivers on their own and charge different fees. Our eating out was limited because we found so much in the supermarkets and cooked a variety at home.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes are crazy here! 24/7 they are buzzing around. Bring plenty of essential oils. Other than the occasional mouse in a restaurant, we hardly saw bugs.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Not at all. Local DHL is reliable, but very costly. Best to just travel home and bring items with you instead of shipping. Also VT import tax is 89% of the valued cost of each item.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Amazing range of house help. Full-time, part-time, babysitting, cooking, all of the above is here and very inexpensive. Use someone who has been vetted and has ID and background check. Lots of theft and child welfare issues with strangers.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
NO. Not after dark. Hiking Mt. Febe in daytime is very common, but with hecklers and cat-callers. Walking the streets is very dangerous, pedestrians do not have the right-of-way and most roads do not have sidewalks.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are a few gyms in and around Bastos, the range from about $10-20 dollars per day.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
NO! Major credit card fraud and only a handful of places will even process your card. Mahima restaurant, SPAR, and Orca are mostly the ones and I have had multiple frauds charges when we first moved here.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Very few, the best choice is Bethlehem Baptist Church in Tropicana.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Tutors in French are available. It is hard but you can get around with very little French.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
YES, an extremely difficult time. I would not advise you to come to Yaounde.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes, but we are not permitted to use them. Prefer Tango it is like Uber.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Bring an SUV, preferable Toyota for was of repairs.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, a few weeks to get installed if you have connections. Longer if you done.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Use MTN, it will save you than keeping a US number unless you have an e-SIM.
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?
Vet services are lacking and very costly. A few are in Bastos and can make home calls, but you should always get a second opinion. Pets are considered food here. You will not see any stray dogs, cats, guinea pigs or even birds.
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?
Teaching diplomats, NGOs. Salaries are comparable to my home state, but cost if insurance is much more expensive here.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes, pick-pockets. Educate yourself on the restrictions due to the war-zones.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Health care is that of a developing country. There is one decent dermatologist, and St. Hilaire Hospital is the best of the worst. Do not could on clean, sanitized service.
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?
Rainy season is wet and muddy, but so lush and green. Dry season is smoky, hazy and dusty, but sunny at times and great for swimming.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Bring all your medications upfront. You will have a hard time finding what you need. Do not eat street food.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
78-80 all the time even in rainy season. Very humid in the rain season. Sticky and muggy.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Yaounde has ASOY, Rainforest and Flamboyant. ASOY is very risky, Rainforest is for Middle/High school only and Flamboyant is French only. Options are not that wonderful.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ASOY has a learning support teacher and an ELL teacher.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There is swimming, basketball, and soccer at the embassy for kids on the weekends.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There are roughly two hundred U.S. expats, but they are split in the city.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This post is okay for families if you enjoy spending so much time at home. There are no parks, amusement parks, water parks, theaters, or places for kinds to play safely outside. Nevertheless, we did may playground for kids under five and rotated around houses.
3. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No, illegal and people are in prison.
4. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
English speaking vs. French speaking. It is very hard here for non-native French speakers.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The supermarket ingredients.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Popeyes restaurant in Bastos. A hidden gem for fresh lunches.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are some next to Espace Landmark.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The quality of the schools and the lack of care for students at ASOY.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, but ended our post earlier.
