Port Au Prince, Haiti Report of what it's like to live there - 02/03/09
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?
Africa.
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.)?
Work for U.S Government.
4. Travel time and best routes to this city from Europe or the US:
1.5 hours from Miami, 3 or 4 flights a day!
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Ok to excellent.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Expensive! Prices are high enough that the COLA should be around 30%, don't know what happened there. Use your consumables allowance plus you can bring back food, meat, etc. in suitcases from Miami.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Favorite toiletries, condiments, car items.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
2 Dominos, a good Lebanese place, a good steak place, and some French places.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
A few cockroaches a year inside the house.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch mail 2 or 3 times a week.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Available but spotty in quality so you may go through a couple to get one that's average. Expats pay US$200-250 per month average. Most speak no English.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
A good gym just closed, although I've heard there is another one in the area that's ok.
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?
CCs at major groceries stores are ok but careful wiht the ATMs.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Cable just changed from a good package that included the 3 main US networks, 2 CNNs, and a movie channel to a new basic package with no US, no movie, and 1 CNN.Supposedly you can buy additional "packages" in the future.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can get by with none for restaurants and grocery stores but for anything else you need some.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Too many to list?
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No. Yes.
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?
You don't need four wheel drive but you do need that type of vehicle's clearance and suspension. Buy used or plan on your new one getting scraped up. I doubt if most locals have insurance so if you get hit plan on paying to get it fixed yourself whether it's your fault or not.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, but speed can be spotty. US$80 for basic package.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
The Embassy gives employees phones but it's hit or miss whether GSO will set up your phone up properly. You can also by your own unlocked phone in the U.S. and get a chip here.
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?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
I hear there's one vet who is ok and one grooming place.
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?
No, just at the Embassy.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The usual.
Health & Safety:
1. Pollution index (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy, or Very Unhealthy)?
Port au Prince is rated as having the highest level of fecal matter in the air in the world. It was also rated the fourth dirtiest place in the world in 2008.
2. What immunizations are required each year?
3. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
If you're very careful you'll be ok but there are many: Off limits areas, curfews, armored vehicles to and from work. Guards at every house. Kidnappings remain common and include U.S. citizens. An American School teacher was kidnapped from her car one early evening some weeks ago by four armed men and taken away and raped. She didn't manage to escape, and she was let go the following morning. A similar incident happened to an American School teacher about two years prior but most people didn't know as security incidents and statistics aren't reported to Embassy employees.
4. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Lots of eye infections due to the air quality.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Excellent weather in general and the hurricanes do little damage in PaP itself.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
American school is mediocre at best. Two families having recently left because of the quality of the school combined with the recent security incidents.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Little or none.
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
A very limited after school program.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large, if you factor in the UN.
2. Morale among expats:
Ok to bad, I'd say no one's really happy 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?
BBQs, restaurants, group trips to the beach.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is not a good city for families. There is little to do in PaP itself except entertain at home or go to restaurants. There is more to do for singles as ther are a lot of singles here and there is a club scene.
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"?
The beaches, or the Dominican Republic.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
9. Can you save money?
Yes, your danger pay more than covers the additional food expenses your COLA doesn't cover.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Oh hell no.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations of things being done correctly or on time.
3. But don't forget your:
Patience.
4. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
The post report?
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
The post report?
