Casablanca, Morocco Report of what it's like to live there - 02/06/16
Personal Experiences from Casablanca, Morocco
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No
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?
East Coast in the U.S. to Casa takes approximately 16-17 hours including short layovers in Europe.
3. How long have you lived here?
1.5 years
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Spouse of State Employee assigned to this post
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
There are two types of housing in Morocco. Apartments close to the consulate (walking distance), and villas approximately 20-30 minutes away from the consulate. (Traffic is so bad that it takes 20-30 mins to get to the villas.) Villas have issues with ants and roaches where the apartments don't have as many issues with insects. Villas have small yards in the back. The apartments are a little noisy at times being in downtown Casablanca. You hear cars honking and people walking by outside where the villas are a little quieter. We chose to live in a villa but looking back, due to the horrible traffic, I wish we had chosen to live in an apartment. The traffic is so stressful with people not following traffic laws that it would have been a much less stressful experience at post had we chosen to live in an apartment close to the consulate.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Fruits and veggies are cheap but the grocery stores do not have a large variety of foods like we do in the U.S. Bugs are often flying around the fruits and vegggies even in the grocery stores in the mall. Gross
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?
McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Burgerking, and KFC. There are a few decent restaurants in Casa but not the same quality as food in the U.S.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
ROACHES! Walking on the streets close to the consulate, you see dead roaches all the time. We had roaches and ants in our house. We got some insecticide and the ants went away but the roaches have never gone away. We had to put all food in containers and even resorted to keeping dishes in the dish washer after running the dish washer every night because we kept finding roaches and roach feces in the kitchen cabinets.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO, Amazon Prime was a life saver in Casa.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Lots of availability. Approximately US$300 plus per month for full-time help.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes but they are not air conditioned and men and women have different work out days/times at most gyms.
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?
Same as in the U.S.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There is a catholic mass service and an Anglican service in English.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Basic French is essential for daily living. Most upperclass can speak English but middle and lower class locals do not speak English
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. The sidewalks are bumpy and most apartments/restaurants/etc are not wheelchair friendly.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
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?
Small vehicles. Parking is VERY limited. Also, I wouldn't bring a new car or a very nice car to Morocco. Traffic laws are not followed here and accidents are very common.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
yes. US$20 US per month. Lately Skype and Facetime have not been working. Vonage also has been blocked by the internet providers in Morocco. Very Frustrating!
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
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. decent vet care available.
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. Decent paying jobs are very hard to find and you must speak the local languages.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots with The schools and DAR American (Consulate public affairs office)
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
normal dress code. Women should dress modestly to avoid harassment.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Petty crime is VERY high in Morocco due to the poverty. Do not wear nice jewelry out in public. Hold tight to cell phones, purses, cameras, etc. Several consulate members have had pick pockets snatch and grab their jewelry, phones, etc.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No. Local health care is decent.
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?
Moderate. Lots of pollution but the ocean breeze does help.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Similar to San Diego weather. Usually warm and not humid. Winters are damp and rainy but not cold.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are two international schools. George Washington Academy and Casablanca American School. No consulate kids attend CAS. All kids attend GWA and have for a few years now.
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?
Yes, but they are all in French and Darija. All daycares and schools close for 2-3 months during the summer. GWA offers a 2-week summer program from daycare/preschool and school aged kids, but other than that 2-week program, there is nothing for kids to do during the summer. This can be a huge challenge if both parents work.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Soccer is very popular but other than that, there are not many sports offered.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
medium sized expat community due to GWA school. Moral is low to decent.
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?
Go out to eat, travel outside the city.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
This is not a kid friendly post. There are no green spaces in Casa. No parks with playgrounds for kids. Very limited extra cirricular activities at school. Teen girls are often verbally sexually harassed. (Especially if they are blonde) I would say this is more a post of singles or for families without children.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No. Strict Muslim values here and gay/lesbian couples are not treated equally.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Women often are sexually harassed. Especially if the woman has blonde hair.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Getting to know some of the people from the consulate community. Since it is such a small post, you get to know everyone quickly.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
No. The local beaches are very dirty and trash is thrown all over the ground all over the city. It is a very dirty city and there isn't much to do in Casa. There are two malls and a movie theater that plays English movies on Thursdays. The movie theater is not air conditioned. : (
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are not many unique local crafts other than rugs and some pottery.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Travel to other countries outside of Morocco is easy and you can find some great travel deals.
10. Can you save money?
If you do not eat out or travel a lot. However, getting out of Casa and Morocco on long weekends was much needed for us to tolerate living here.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How dirty it is and how much of an unfriendly post it is for families with children.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
NO. We have not enjoyed our time at this post and honestly would not recommend it to anyone.
