Praia, Cape Verde Report of what it's like to live there - 12/17/24
Personal Experiences from Praia, Cape Verde
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Prior locations includes Asia, Europe, Caribean and Africa.
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?
California. Far far away.
Connexion to Cabo Verde via Europe (mostly Lisbon) or Dakar.
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.)?
diplomatic mission
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Older houses with small outdoor area, mostly paved, very little green space, or modern apartments, rarely with elevator. The houses seem to require regular repairs and maintenance. They are on the large side, a couple have a pool or sea view, and most do not have an inside parking space. The apartments are less prone to issues, and some have underground parking.
Commute is usually les than 20mn to anywhere Praia. Our house is large and has more greens than most, but windows leak during the rainy season. We still like it, but it’s a pain to mop daily after the rain.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Not a lot of variety among the restaurants, but they are a couple of “bio” shops where you can find a few specialty ingredients, and a couple of vegetarian restaurants.
No large supermarket here, only small grocery stores, and not a lot of variety. Most grocery products are "no-name" brands - food or cleaning supply. One good butcher. and a handful of bakeries.
You learn quickly to buy things when you find them and stock, not when you need them.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
-Specialty products or quality grocery (good flours, Indian, Mexican, Asian, etc...)
-Cleaning supplies and detergent
-Pest control supplies (ants, cockroaches, mice, fleas, mosquitoes)
-coral-reef friendly sunscreens
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
take-out: pizza
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Yes, a lot.
Ants and mosquitoes, especially during raining season - roaches and mice.
Fleas, too, if you have pets.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch services or DHL
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Readily available and affordable.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Yes, it is safe, and the sea walk is great.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Several fitness center, one Pilates studio, a couple of yoga teachers. Most people exercise outdoor. Many personal trainers give classes on or near the main beach.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Mostly cash economy. International credit cardss are mostly accepted in touristic areas and some supermarkets, but not all.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can survive with Google Translate, but if you do without language training, you won’t meet many people outside of the Embassy community. Tourist places speak English, but make the effort and your quality of life will be tenfold. Especially, all entertainment communications are in Portuguese exclusively.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Most disabled people would experience a great deal of trouble, the city does not accommodate any issue.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
You should not use the public transportation system - "aluger" is deemed unsafe; but taxis are safe and affordable, if not always properly maintained.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Any car will do, but a SUV will allow you to take the trails easier. Only the main roads are paved. Bring tires if you have to change them: they are expensive & quality is not the best locally.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Internet is fast and reliable, allows for streaming and videoconferences. Optic fiber is available at most residences. About $70 / month. Setup usually takes 1 or 2 weeks
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
We use a local sim card and unlocked phone. GoogleFi works, as long as you set-it up in the US prior travelling (check restrictions).
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Casual in public and business casual in office; formal wear for official or upscale events.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Alergies and respiratory issues linked to sandstorms from the Sahara.
Dengue with mosquitoes during raining season
Food poisoning, occasionaly, depending on where you eat (runing water is not safe to drink, and not available everywhere)
Heatstroke: hiking in summer is hard on the body.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Anything serious requires med-evac. Take a good insurance.
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?
Harmattan in winter months is bringing sand from the desert, making it hard to breath at time.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
The beaches in the city are not clean and there is no testing. A lot of sewage waters end up in your favorite beach...
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Isolation: you should be sure you can entertain yourself and your family without resorting to outside activities. There is not a lot of infrastructure for leisure activities, beside fitness and soccer. Most of the music scene is Cabo Verde music and not a lot of variety in style.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Warm in winter. Hot in Summer. Automn is raining season (1 to 2 months)
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Only one French school, one Portuguese.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
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?
Yes, it's affordable.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Not really.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small, mostly Portuguese and Chinese. Morale is up and down. Lots of people get bored after one year. Some have a blast and love the party scene.
2. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes to all. It is what you make of it.
3. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Yes, very easy if you speak the language. Otherwise, not so much.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
5. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Hiking/visiting the different islands. Fogo caldera is beautiful.
6. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Trips to the 10 other islands of Cabo Verde. Inter-islands transportation can be difficult with delays or cancellation, but well worth the time and money. Each island is different, and they are all beautiful.
Don’t miss the Carnival, and if you plan to spend it in Sao Vicente, plan at least 6 months in advance.
Don’t miss the various music festivals: each come around only once a year – Facebook is your best friend to find information.
7. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
No.
8. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
None.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How long it would take to receive our shipments: it varies depending on size and point of origin, but it can take over six months. I would have packed our UAB differently had I known.
Santiago doesn’t have a lot fun activities compare to other islands in Cabo Verde, including or especially watersports: no sailing, no kite/wind surfing, kayaking, rowing etc… and only one dive shop (in Tarrafal, two hour drive away from Praia). Take your gear with you. The lack of water activities or almost any kind of sports (beside soccer and fitness) or art/craft studio in Praia and Santiago in general has been a disappointment. The beaches are not so clean, we don't go as often as I thought we would.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Maybe.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
cold weather clothes
4. But don't forget your:
book reader; beach and water sports gear; learn Portuguese ; wikiloc subcription ; sunglasses
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Read about Amilcar Cabral and Cabo Verde history. Listen to Morna music (Cesaria Evora and others).
