Yangon, Myanmar Report of what it's like to live there - 05/16/19
Personal Experiences from Yangon, Myanmar
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, I have lived in in several cities across North America and Europe.
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?
United States. Travel to Myanmar takes aroiunbd 24 hours from the United States.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
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?
We have two adults and two children in our household, and we live in the Shangri-La serviced apartments. Maid service is provided 6 days a week and is included in the price of the lease. The Shangri-La also brings cakes and flowers on anniversaries and birthdays. The apartment grounds are immaculate and the pool is the best in Yangon. Both the main and children's pools are saltwater. Our actual apartment is 4 bedrooms plus a room without A/C designated for live-in staff to occupy (we use the space for storage). Overall the apartment has plenty of storage for an apartment. It takes 20-30 minutes to get to the Embassy in in the mornings and afternoons. Mid-day and late evening it takes 2-3 times as long.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are easy to get, Marketplace has locations all over the city, but do not buy meat there! For beef, chicken, and pork go to Pro-Mart. For sausage and deli meats we shop at Prime Cuts.
As a family of four we spend around $70 US dollars per week on groceries. We shop at Marketplace on Dahmazeddi which caters to western expats. There are also fresh local veggies available from Fresco Myanmar, a CSA type service that delivers a weekly box of seasonal fresh vegetables.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Cereal and snacks. Our kids don't enjoy the local snacks; fried fish skins and fried crickets anyone?
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Yangon Door-to-door serves the entire city and most restaurants use the service. The restaurants that don't use the service will send you your food in a taxi or offer their own deliver service.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Our apartment has ants and geckos. Our friends in houses complain of rats, snakes, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and geckos.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
We use the US Postal Service through the Embassy. There are DHL kiosks in the city.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help is inexpensive. Most expats have a driver, a nanny for kids, and a maid. I have also seen some families hire a cook to come to their house a few nights a week.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
We are fortunate that our apartment has a nice gym facility. Other gyms in city cost between USD 1000-2000 per year.
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?
When we arrived two years ago credit card payments were being introduced to the city and most employees did not know how to use them. Most larger businesses accept Visa and Mastercard; you will be hard pressed to find anyone who accepts Amex. The ATMs at major hotels and banks are safe.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Most people you encounter will speak some English. You have a 50/50 shot at getting a taxi driver who speaks English.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. Sidewalks are often broken and cracked, with open sewage spilling out from under them. There are no ramps for those with physical disabilities.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe is relative and questionable here, comfort is non-existent.
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?
Your vehicle will get dings and scratches. Rainy season means knee deep water in many places. The roads are rough and potholes are left to fester. You would be well served to bring something with a high clearance and a comfortable suspension.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet speeds are on par or slightly slower than the average speeds you find in the states. Wireless speeds are comparable to the United States with LTE service available in most of the country.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
The local providers are fast cheap and affordable. Just don't expect to use your Myanmar sim card outside of Myanmar.
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 are very good veterinarians and service is inexpensive. There are pet store that sell food and pet accessories. A word of caution, veterinarians will not euthanize your pet if they are sick, injured, in pain, or dying. Their Buddhist traditions prevent them from harming an animal, even if the animal is in agony.
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?
NGOs and non-profits hire about half of the expat spouses I know. The other half are teachers, or work remotely.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are lots of volunteer opportunities here. Orphanages, senior centers, animal shelters, NGOs, and many other organizations are always looking for assistance.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The Myanmar people wear traditional longyis and dresses. Everyone else just tries not to sweat.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Petty crime is minimal, tourist scams are also rare. Myanmar people are usually warm, friendly, and inviting.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Serious injuries can be a death sentence if you seek care in Myanmar. Expats use the SOS clinic for medical needs and Evergreen dental for minor and emergent dental issues. For anything serious everyone travels to Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lampur.
Serious infections are something to be concerned about. Open sewers that flow freely into local waterways create a lot of issues.
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?
Air quality is good during rainy season. During hot season the air quality is abysmal. Most families and schools keep kids indoors.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Bring lots of allergy medicine.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not that I have seen.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
It's hot and humid all year long. The heat becomes bearable October through December.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
ISY, Network, and the British school are all excellent schools.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
ISY will accomodate special needs on a case by case basis.
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?
Most families hire a nanny to take care of younger kids at home.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Soccer, gymnastics, swimming, horseback riding, and many other activities are available for kids and adults.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There is large and vibrant expat community with expats from all over the world. Morale is usually high.
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?
The Yangon Newcomers group and Yangon Expat groups are great places to meet other expats.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
There things to do for singles, couples, and families.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Myanmar does not seem to be an inviting place for LGBT expats.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
The Myanmar people are very friendly, unless you are Muslim. Myanmar seems very prejudiced against Muslim people.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Random road trips across the country have been an adventure. there are a lot of exciting places that have not been discovered. If you are able to hire a car and escape the main tourist areas you can still find places where the locals have never seen a foreigner before.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
There are several hidden waterfalls near Golden Rock.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Jade, saphires, and rubies are all cheap here.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Cost of living is fairly cheap, travel to other countries is inexpensive.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish I had known how hot it truly is. I grew up in a hot climate, i'm still miserable in this heat.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Coats and sweaters.
4. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen, sense of adventure, and patience.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
No.
6. Do you have any other comments?
Yangon has a certain smell to it. Curry, offal, and raw sewage provide the backdrop for a cornucopia of smells depending on where in the city you are.
