Islamabad, Pakistan Report of what it's like to live there - 02/28/14
Personal Experiences from Islamabad, Pakistan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
This is my 6th expat experience.
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?
For the first two years, we flew via Qatar to the U.S. on Qatar Airways. That was close to a 24-hour trip in total. In our last year, we flew via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. Travel time was about the same. We also flew to the U.S. via Dubai (Emirates) and Abu Dhabi (Etihad).
3. How long have you lived here?
Three years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Work at the U.S. Embassy.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is good- U.S. Embassy staff mostly live in town - in houses scattered throughout the city. We had a beautiful home, very centrally located. Others (eg, Canadians and Brits) live on compounds located within the Diplomatic Enclave where all of the major embassies and high commissions are located. As long as the majority of U.S. Embassy housing is located in the city (and the security situation does not deteriorate any further), the U.S. embassy staff housing will remain desirable. The U.S. Embassy is building housing (mostly apartments) in the New Embassy Compound (NEC), and if the majority of U.S. staff end up in housing on the NEC, living in Islamabad will become far less desirable.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
We had access to the U.S. Commissary so we were not wanting for goods as we could buy pork and alcohol there. Anything and everything else could be purchased locally at Kohsar Market and local grocery stores. There was generally wide availability and good selection of products available. For anything Western we paid a premium for but the costs were still relatively reasonable- not outrageous as in some African and Central Asian countries.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are lots of great restaurants in Islamabad. Everything ranging from street food up to fast food (McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Hardeez, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, and Dominos Pizza) to nice bistros such as Street 1 Cafe and Tuscan Courtyard, to places in Saidpur Village such as Polo Lounge and Des Pardes, Monal in the Margalla Hills, Dynasty at the Marriott Hotel, and the restaurants at the Serena. Costs are very reasonable, with meals not exceeding the US$50 range at the nicest places.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
There are dengue fever carrying mosquitoes.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Through the DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Cost is cheap but skill level and motivation of our household staff was shockingly poor. Lots of problems getting them to do the basic cleaning we required, while they maintained a strong sense of entitlement to continuous salary increases and bonuses.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
U.S. Embassy and other diplomatic missions have gym facilities and these are free for staff accredited to these embassies or missions. I know there are private gyms in Islamabad but I am not familiar with the services offered or membership rates.
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?
We used our credit cards on occasion in the city and never had any problems. I also used the Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank ATM's throughout my tour and had no issues or problems.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not sure, I know that the Holy See had Catholic services, and that there may have been services in people's homes and at the U.S. Embassy.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None, but knowing Urdu would be helpful.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, but it is possible with support from the U.S. Embassy.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
We were not allowed to use local transport so I have no experience with it.
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?
We had a Toyota Rav IV and found that although not crucial, an SUV was nice to have particularly for drives outside of Islamabad.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, available, fast and cheap. We used VOIP phones, wireless internet, and apple TV throughout our tour with no issues.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Cheap and plentiful- check out ufone and mobilink. Just be sure to turn off data roaming when going to other countries. Roaming is horrifically expensive.
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?
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 don't think so but don't know much about that specific job market.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are opportunities through Rotary and other organizations.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business attire for work, more casual otherwise. Women need to be mindful of the local culture and dress modestly when going out to restaurants and other public venues in the city.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Yes considerable. Life in the U.S. Embassy is largely dictated by security rules.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Dengue fever and stomach bugs are the top concerns.
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?
Generally quite poor- very dusty, unless it is the rainy season.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and humid in the summer summer, pleasant during autumn, mild winter, warm spring, and blistering hot during late spring to early summer.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is an American International School in Islamabad, but no U.S. staff are allowed to bring families, so the school caters mostly to elite Pakistanis and other expats. Interestingly enough, American International School teaching staff have yellow U.S. Embassy badges and are allowed to use the U.S. Commissary to purchase groceries (not alcohol). This option is not available to other American expats in Pakistan and I'm not certain why the teachers at the AIS retain this privilege.
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Relatively large. While morale was generally pretty good,particularly for long-term expats, tensions would rise when security issues and threats were an issue.
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?
Shopping, entertaining at home, working out, eating out at restaurants, visiting Murree & Nathiagali.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes great for all. The U.S. Embassy does not allow families, but some diplomatic missions do. As a result, many families were living in Islamabad and seemed to be thriving and enjoying themselves.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, within the Pakistani community, there are lots of these issues, particularly amongst different levels of Pakistani elites, local men's attitudes towards women, Shia vs. Sunni Muslim tensions, regional rivalries and divisions, etc.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Compared to other postings, particularly for development professionals, Islamabad is a relatively good city to live in. There are opportunities for shopping, socializing, and decent, inexpensive restaurants.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Shopping for carpets, jewelry, furniture, and clothes. Going to restaurants in the city. Visiting Nathiagali and Murree. Going to Taxila.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Carpets, jewelry, restaurants, local travel, furniture, plants and landscaping, and clothes.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Saving money, buying carpets, furniture, and jewelry.
10. Can you save money?
Yes, with the current allowances in place, lots, particularly if you do more than the 1 year tour.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Ease of getting around Islamabad.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes definitely!!!!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Persian carpets.
4. But don't forget your:
Pork products.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
6. Do you have any other comments?
We enjoyed our tour to Pakistan. Working for the U.S. Government has its advantages and challenges. Many of the local staff at the U.S. Embassy are massively overpaid for the work they do and responsibilities held. Constant security issues are a concern- while Islamabad has been stable for the last couple of years, anything could happen at any time. If you are given the choice between African postings and Pakistan, jump at the opportunity to go to Pakistan instead. Allowances and work are very good.
