Port Au Prince, Haiti Report of what it's like to live there - 08/24/19
Personal Experiences from Port Au Prince, Haiti
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I've also lived in Taiwan and Tanzania.
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, very easy to travel to US. To DC you will go through ATL and the whole trip takes about 10 hours door to door. This is the main draw of PAP for many people.
3. How long have you lived here?
One year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
In a compound living close to the Embassy.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
You can get most things here, but it will be more expensive than the US. We get Amazon deliveries in about a week which is very convenient and there is a consumables shipment. Cheese and meats are expensive, as are any specialty things like gluten-free items or lactose free.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
I recommend using the consumables shipment to ship detergents, soaps, canned foods, alcohol, etc., as this will save money. You can get everything here though.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are restaurants in Petionville, but again they are expensive. I rarely get out without spending US$50-60 and it's hardly every worth it in terms of value. No delivery, though I have heard there are some nascent attempts.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Geckos, spiders, ants, some termites, but they spray the compounds like crazy.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO for now, but that may be going away and we will be left with the slower pouch. You can really only send and receive mail at the Embassy.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Cheap, I think people pay about US$20 for a day and often share housekeepers so they have enough work.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There is yoga at the Embassy and a gym at the embassy and in the housing compound. There are also pools at the Embassy and on both compounds.
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?
Credit cards are fine at grocery. Can withdraw cash at the Embassy.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Most people speak French, but those who don't still do okay. Creole would make life even easier, but really it is not necessary. The Embassy offers French and Creole classes.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes if you are outside the Embassy community. We are not allowed to walk anywhere, so driving everywhere probably solves many disability issues. Most houses have multiple floors, but there are some that are 1 story in the compound.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We arent allowed to use any transport outside of POV and motorpool.
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?
Small SUV like a Honda CRV or RAV4 is ideal, but right now we can only drive a 15 miles radius, so I don't think a car is even necessary. You can buy one cheap from an outgoing diplomat.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet is great quality when it is working. You can have it set up prior to arrival at post. It is expensive though, with most people paying $110 per month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
I kept my T-mobile plan because I travel back to the US a lot. Plus T-mobile data works in Haiti. You can get by with your Embassy phone and every house in the compound has a land line that calls to the US for free.
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 is one good vet that comes to the compounds. Dogs can have an okay life in the compounds and cats are even easier. You can find pets supplies in the stores, though expensive or ship them in. I don't believe there is a quarantine. The one caution is that in some months it may be too hot to fly pets in and during the recent evacuation it was very stressful for pet owners to get their pets out in the 72 hour window. More evacuations are not out of the question in the future.
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?
I think spouses have it very rough here. There is very little opportunity to have a life because of the security concerns. They can work at the Embassy but it may take 6 months to a year to get a clearance and it is only a two year tour. Ideally a spouse would telework or be okay staying at home on the compound.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Some groups volunteer at a local orphanage.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Men wear suit and tie and women business wear. Fridays can be somewhat causal. In public things are very casual, this is an island.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes. This is very dangerous country. We get weekly warmings about shootings. The roads are very dangerous. Local staff are robbed and live in very dangerous situations, or have to go through bad areas to get to work. Americans live on compounds very close to the Embassy and are reasonably safe, though bullets have been found on the compound. There is also the threat of robberies leaving the airport, so all staff have expediters and motorpool from the airport. This is a 25% danger pay post, with no children under 18 years, so I recommend anyone coming here really think about their personal risk tolerance and how potential insecurity along with a lot of work will affect them.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is terrible. You are on your way to FL for even minor things. Roads are very dangerous. There are a lot of types of mosquito borne illness, Embassy staff are not immune from this, but you don't hear about Embassy staff getting malaria or dengue routinely or anything.
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?
Terrible. If you have asthma or sensitive eyes beware. I don't work out outside because it bothers me and I bought an air filter for the bedroom. People burn trash, feces, plastics, rubber etc routinely and very close to the housing compounds.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Could have pollen concerns, but more likely to be bothered by air pollution. If you have serious food allergies I would recommend preparing your own food as I don't think they are particularly aware of allergies here.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
This is an isolating place with A LOT of work in every section. Poverty is in your face all around you and there are security threats and political instability. Add to this many people are unaccompanied and away from their families. Plus you live and work together with very few options for outside entertainment. People cope with this in different ways, I was warned about drinking and eating too much when I check in at the MED unit.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot all year, there is a rainy season but there has been a lot of drought recently.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
No EFMs under age 18 are allowed at post, so no information on schools, activities or other child-related questions.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
I think it used to be larger, but as the UN has left it has shrunk. I think the morale is VERY low. People work hard with very little outlets other than drinking.
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?
On the compounds or at restaurants in Petionville.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Not for families. Couples could do okay if the spouse can find something to do all day. If you are doing an unaccompanied tour that brings its own challenges. Singles are very isolated with VERY limited prospects outside the Embassy community.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I mean, it's fine. I don't thing gays or straights are frequently dating in the local community so I dont think it matters much
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
I have not found it easy to meet people outside of the Embassy at all. The local staff are very nice and good to work with but I don't generally hang out with them after work. Their lives are just so different than the American staff especially during the worsening insecurity.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I know of.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
None...maybe the beach. Due the timing of my arrival during worsening insecurity I have not been able to travel that much in the country or really leave the three-minute drive from the compound to work.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are ok restaurants in Petionville and before the travel restrictions there were more beaches to go to and Carnival celebrations.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
We can't go there right now, but there is a metal works community that makes beautiful things.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Proximity to the US.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I asked for this assignment so I was pretty prepared, but this post requires tons of patience and flexibility from the officer and their family. If you spouse can't handle this or you don't want to be separated, go elsewhere. When things are bad here it can feel like a priority/PSP with none of the support or benefits.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
For this moment in my personal life and career it is fine and I have learned a ton and it will help me going forward. However, I would never choose to live or visit here again. The work plus the environment really take a lot out of you.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Freedom, independence, privacy.
4. But don't forget your:
FLEXIBILITY and sense of humor.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Anything on the political history of Haiti or the earthquake would help you understand why things are the way they are and why things are so challenging and slow to change.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Nope. Good luck. If you can make it here you can literally make it at any other post.
