Dili, East Timor Report of what it's like to live there - 03/24/25
Personal Experiences from Dili, East Timor
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, several assignments all over with USG.
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?
USA. Fairly difficult to get to TL. From DC you will go through Doha with a layover, then to Bali and then into Dili. From West Coast, you will go through Korea or Australia, and then into Bali or straight into Dili. To get in or out of Dili, almost 90% of flights go through Bali.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is compound living. Some are all USG others are shared with AUS employees from their embassy. Houses are generally 3-4 bedroom villas or stand alone homes. Quality is not bad, fairly basic with lack of storage space being the main issue. Commute times are under five minutes, regardless of where you live.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
DPO and pouch takes approximately three weeks to arrive. Definitely break up your consumables into two shipments. There are vegetables and fruits at the markets and stores, with questionable quality each time. There are approximately three to four grocery stores that everyone uses and popular items go quick and take months( if ever) to re-stock.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Spices, marinades, cooking oils, cleaning supplies, etc.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Depends on how adventurous you want to get. Good Indian here: Harri's, some decent Chinese and Indonesian. A fairly good steak house as well. Outside of these four or five, you are stuck with the hotel restaurants that are hit or miss. After this tier, you go to the local restaurants that can be hit or miss.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants, lizards, in the houses. stray dogs and cats in the street.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Good amount, with good reliability.
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?
During the day you would be fine, but depending on your background, you will be starred out. Individuals with red or blonde hair will get stares, but people would simply be curious. At night, Dili can get fairly busy, crowded, etc and there are have been reports of being experience petty crimes and unsolicited attention from the locals.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
At the Embassy and main housing compound, outside of that, not much. Gyms are slowly coming on line here though.
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?
90% cash society, with ATMs running out of cash on the weekends a common issue. Overall safe, but if need be, use the ones at the hotels, embassies, etc.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
LDS, Protestant, and catholic. Also small Muslim community here.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Portuguese would be good, but there is a basic understanding of English.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Huge, don't come.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
None that RSO allows.
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?
4x4 with lots of restrictions by HN. Talk to post and GSO who can advise. Most import from Japan or by from departing officers.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Starlink or nothing. Have it in your luggage before you arrive. Post can explain the procedure. TL has the fourth slowest internet in the world.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Most likely your US phone will not work here. They only have 3G and 4G. Best to get a local phone.
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?
Very difficult here, and expensive with maybe one vet available. Very expensive to ship OUT of TL, VERY.
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?
Post is trying but with everything going on, difficult. Lots of volunteer opportunities.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Ample
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual, with some suits and formal wear needed, but rarely. Never seen tux here.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Petty crimes and harassment of women. Avoid the heavy foot traffic area at night.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Huge issue-there are zero decent medical care centers outside of very basic needs. Cracked tooth or broken bone? You are getting sent out. Anything real serious, hopefully its during the day because there are no night flights.
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?
It's fine, nothing serious.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
None that I know.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Isolation-significant isolation.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Never above 85, never below 75. Rain in the afternoon from Oct- May.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
QSI Dili and Dili International School (aus calendar) are the two main ones. Families seem fine with them, with DIS gaining in popularity. Lots of little kids but only a few high schoolers so the older kids appear to have a much smaller social network.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
DIS supposedly has a robust program to help 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?
Lots, yes.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Only school based ones.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small but a large AUS population as well as Portuguese. Lots of NGOs.
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?
There are various clubs that get the expats together. Lots of diving clubs.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
i would say couples and small families. Singles do it though and seem fine.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Difficult due to language barriers.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Seems fine, they have a parade every year.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No, TL are super nice, helpful and friendly. Very curious about foreigners.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Very pretty country if you can get to the mountains, lots of great diving.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Go out east and see caves that are decorated from 50,000 years ago, go see the Crocs, dive, take weekend trips to Bali and Australia.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Some basic stuff but nothing special.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Not much.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
You can get bored here, so just have a plan to stay active.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Sure, but two years is enough.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
cold weather gear.
4. But don't forget your:
sunscreen and snorkel.
