Dakar - Post Report Question and Answers
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People who like sun and the beach are pretty happy here. If you like shopping malls and new restaurants opening all the time, you might be disappointed. It's not for everyone, but it's been a great place for us. - Oct 2024
If you have the chance to live in Dakar, don’t pass it by. The only thing you will regret is leaving Dakar. - Jul 2020
It's hard not to have a great time in Dakar! - Dec 2019
If you must live here, be sure to make friends and get out of the house. Plan trips outside of Senegal to escape Africa. Many kids begging for money, at first you want to give, but as I understand, they don't get to keep the money. I would never give money, just food. The kids are hungry and dirty. To me, it's a sad life for them. - Dec 2018
Senegalese are fun people, and tolerant of foreigners. If you try to understand them, have a sense of humor, you'll love it here. - Apr 2014
The perceptions about Dakar in Washington and elsewhere within the foreign service are outdated and misguided. Everyone who calls this the Paris of West Africa has 1) not been here or 2) has served in even harder parts of West Africa (think Guinea). If you come with reasonable expectations, though, this can be a good and adventurous tour. - Jun 2013
Senegal is amazing. It doesn't move at the pace of some other cities and it doesn't have the same amenities as a Nairobi or a Jo'burg but it has so much to offer once you're comfortable with its pace and rhythms. It's also rapidly growing and there seems to be a lot of positive energy around the current government. - Mar 2013
Think carefully before coming here - it is expensive and outdoor enthusiastics will struggle to be happy here. - Aug 2011
Overall we had a good experience. Sadly, the Senegalese government is veering towards a crisis - and the result has been increasing infrastructure erosion and unrest among the population (power outages for example have become increasingly common). If President Wade refuses to step down in 2012 it could get ugly. - Jan 2011
This used to be a place to be avoided due to the traffic, beggars, etc. Since 2008, though, Dakar has become a nice place to work and live. - May 2009
