Chisinau, Moldova Report of what it's like to live there - 09/06/23
Personal Experiences from Chisinau, Moldova
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, and Guatemalan highlands.
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?
Portland, OR. 25-35 hours, a few options often with an overnight layover.
3. What years did you live here?
2021-2023.
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 mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Large 3 bedroom house with a yard. Commute is a 25 minute walk or 10 minute bike ride through the park. I haven’t driven due to traffic, but it takes about 20 minutes.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Better groceries available here than in the U.S. in my opinion. Variety of European brands. Local farmers market with affordable produce and a variety of higher cost specialty small batch products that are all delightful. Great affordable local wine.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None. We didn’t even use our consumables shipment because we couldn’t think of anything we needed.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Apps like Glovo have a variety of restaurants. Delivery is slower for restaurants than in the U.S. but faster for groceries.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Some ants in our house that were successfully curbed with Terro traps.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and pouch. Takes 2 weeks to 1 month. Everything is available here so there is little you’d need to Amazon unless you don’t want to shop locally.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
About $5/hour for most services. We have a housekeeper who works one day per week and a nanny for our baby who works 5-6 days per week.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Embassy has a small gym. Cheapest local gym costs about $40/month. The nice gyms are over $100/month. The parks all have well used public workout structures.
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?
Yes. Chisinau is in general much safer than anywhere I’ve ever lived.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic and Mormon at least.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Romanian or Russian is helpful. The post language program is great.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
The sidewalks have been improving but it would still be difficult.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Local trolley buses are wonderful and affordable. Sometimes a little crowded.
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 seems fine. We mostly use ours on the weekend. You would probably enjoy the best gas mileage you can get. Most taxis are Priuses.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, quick to install. It’s cheap, as is data.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Orange was fine. I got a local number and I recharge the account when it runs out. Be sure to use the promotions! The orange employees should walk you through it when you get your number.
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?
Embassy-based or remote work seems the most common. Local salary scales are much lower.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Yes but few. Many people volunteered with refugee efforts. A few volunteer with animal rescue.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Normal business. Moldovans as a whole dress to impress.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Your worst security concern will be that because it is so safe here, it will remove your defenses and make you too trusting after you leave.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Decent medical care, great dental. Medevac location is London if you need surgery.
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 is generally good. It helps that it can rain any time of the year. Old cars and buses will create yucky exhaust sometimes.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
I wouldn’t know. There is a lot of pollen floating around in the spring.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
I couldn’t say for sure. Winter is pretty cold. I really like the darkness because it makes it easier to see the stars, but if you were a sun person you may struggle with the lack of it.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Temperate, four seasons.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Have not experienced. I’ve heard mixed reviews.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
No idea. From what we see in preschool, kids with special needs are integrated in classrooms and included in activities with extra help from classroom aides.
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 of fantastic preschools that offer full day care. Ours is open from 7:30-6:00 and is very affordable.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
There are some (soccer, dance, gymnastics, swimming) but the times they are offered and the traffic to get to the location made it difficult to participate. We could have tried harder.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Smaller than other places. Morale is generally 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?
There are some bars and a trivia night.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I think everyone seems to enjoy it.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It’s easy to make friends, but if you aren’t white you will stand out. People tend to stare and you are left wondering why. Once you get to know people they are welcoming to all backgrounds.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I don’t know but I would guess not. Most young Moldovan LGBT individuals live abroad if they can. I don’t know of any gay bars at all but there could be an underground community I’m not aware of.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Women have more rights here than in the U.S. in some respects, including a longer paid maternity leave. There are prejudices and ethnic differences, but I don’t understand all the nuances.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
It has been an incredible experience. We have loved learning about the culture, the friends we have made, the amazing food and wine, and our trips to Orhei Vechi, Gagauzia, and Soroca. We also had great trips by car to a number of places in Romania. Sunflower season throughout Moldova is beautiful. Summer fruits and vegetables are the best. Everything grows in the soil here and most people keep vegetable gardens.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Woloshin banya for a spa day, water slides at Vara Vara, endless outdoor concerts and festivals, take the cooking classes offered at various touristic locations, Pe Toloaca camping and hiking
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are local artists and craft fairs often.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
It’s small so you can walk almost anywhere. The outdoor market in the center of town has everything you could ever need and more. It is affordable here when you are making a U.S. salary. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying their time here.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I guess I could have bought an e-bike right when I got here. My neighborhood is hilly. I would have brought gifts from home that differed more from Moldovan products (they have plenty of hazelnuts and berries).
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
100% yes.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
110 volt electronics.
4. But don't forget your:
English language books, gifts for Moldovan friends you make.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
Lost In Moldova on YouTube.
6. Do you have any other comments?
I will miss Moldovan-made mango mochi ice cream, Dese chocolates, almond chocolate croissants, Iarba Noastra bread, amazing cheeses, kvass, catina tea, sarmale, placinta, and good gelato. The city has huge parks ideal for long strolls with a cappuccino from a coffee stand. Families all go out for post dinner strolls and the city is small enough that you often run into people you know.
