Yangon, Myanmar Report of what it's like to live there - 05/22/16
Personal Experiences from Yangon, Myanmar
Yangon, Myanmar
05/22/16
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Accra, Ghana; Pretoria, South Africa; Buenos Aires, Argentina
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?
Fairhope, Alabama USA; 18+ hours, connection in Seoul
3. How long have you lived here?
Arrived 21 August 2015
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
U.S. Department of State
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Serviced apartment, 15-40-minute commute, depending on traffic
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Good availability and reasonable prices
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing we didn't foresee
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Decent restaurants, both reasonably priced and ridiculously expensive
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes, but not in Yangon
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
U.S. Embassy
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
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?
Don't...
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
A few phrases, to be polite
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Probably
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Trains and buses not recommended; taxis cheap, plentiful, and safe
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?
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. Included in our housing rental. Reliable, reasonable speed
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Bring your own, buy a SIM card
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?
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Plenty
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual and plain casual
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Digestive problems; local health care is a bit dodgy
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?
Decent
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Bring plenty of meds
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and dry, hot and wet, and monsoon. Also hot.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
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?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Good-sized, but dispersed
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?
Dining, at home and in restaurants. Some movies, some nightlife
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
OK
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Problems with radical Buddhists discriminating against Muslims
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Cultural tourism and lots of stupas
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Regional tourism; Many monasteries, temples, and stupas
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Very nice locally produced arts/crafts
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Nice people, interesting culture, chance to save money
10. Can you save money?
Yes
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
We were pretty well-prepared
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Socks
4. But don't forget your:
SPF-50, umbrella
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
"The River of Lost Footsteps" by Thant Myint-U
7. Do you have any other comments?
This is an exciting time to be posted in Yangon.
