Port Au Prince, Haiti Report of what it's like to live there - 12/06/08
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.
2. How long have you lived here?
2 years.
3. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
1.5 hours or less from Miami, 3 hours from NY.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses and apartments, commute time is pretty bad due to traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Imported goods are very expensive, but local produce is pretty cheap and delicious.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing really.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There is a Domino's. LOTS of excellent French restaurants that are actually pretty expensive (NY prices). Very good Lebanese food here too!
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Friends going back and forth from the US, DHL.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very affordable and excellent!
3. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Never had a problem with a credit card. Never used an ATM.
4. What English-language religious services are available locally?
I'm sure they are. Pretty much all churches with a couple of mosques. No synagogues that I saw.
5. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes - there is cable and sat TV from the U.S. and Canada.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
It is hard to get around outside of the elite circles without at least French, preferably Creole.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
A lot, the infrastructure is pretty bad.
Transportation:
1. Do you drive on the right hand side of the road or the left?
American side.
2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No, but affordable.
3. 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?
High-clearance 4WD SUV is mandatory.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes - it's satellite or microwave, both of which go out in the rain.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
You can get a local SIM card here - there is surprisingly good cellphone coverage now, thanks to Digicel.
3. What is the best way to make phone calls back home?
Phone cards or cellphone.
Pets:
1. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Yes - not kennels, but good vet care. Servants can be paid extra to babysit animals.
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?
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Pretty formal. This is a French culture and everyone takes great pride in his/her appearance. Don't wear sweatpants to the grocery store, and even going to poverty-stricken areas, dress nicely to show courtesy and respect. After all, they're putting on their best to meet you.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Good.
2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes, but not as bad as what people think.
3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Food poisoning, even from the best restaurants - related more to sanitary issues (E. coli, ciguatella) and food storage/refrigeration. Malaria. Dengue. Many doctors train in the States, Canada, Belgium or France. Good vet care.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Mostly hot, sunny and tropical. Rainy season starting in August and going through November, which makes getting around difficult (it can't just rain, it comes in buckets). December and January are beautifully cool in the evenings.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
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?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Pretty large - lots of Embassy, UN, NGOs and lots of expat Haitians.
2. Morale among expats:
Depends. You go through highs and lows here.
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?
Some great restaurants, lots of great music clubs, but hard to meet people outside of the expat community/elites. Lots of entertaining at home among Haitians (dinner parties, etc).
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
For everyone! Very family-oriented culture but lots of singles there too.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Art galleries, hiking, travel, sports (esp. tennis), dance.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Art, handicrafts (metal work, embroidery/linens, papier-mache), coffee, rum.
9. Can you save money?
Yes, but day to day living can be expensive.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely!
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Preconceptions about poverty. There are a lot of rich people here too and the poor here are very proud and self-sufficient.
3. But don't forget your:
Heart. It is really easy to fall in love with the unique beauty of the country and the kindness of the people, even though life here does get frustrating at times.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Edwidge Dandicat, Graham Greene, Truman Capote (House of Flowers is based on Haiti - he spent quite a lot of time here)
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Edwidge Dandicat, Graham Greene, Truman Capote (House of Flowers is based on Haiti - he spent quite a lot of time here)
6. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Ghosts of Cite Soleil, The Agronomist.
7. Do you have any other comments?
I loved my time in Haiti. It is a beautiful, special place and I hope anyone who goes there does see all of the good as well as has a healthy grasp of the problems.
