Karachi, Pakistan Report of what it's like to live there - 08/02/15
Personal Experiences from Karachi, Pakistan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No; have lived in several cities OCONUS prior to Karachi.
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?
The U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.. The total travel time from IAD to KHI is about 25 hours, with a connection in Abu Dhabi or Doha.
3. How long have you lived here?
One year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Foreign Service with the 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?
Housing for the American personnel in the U.S. Foreign Service is amazing. Most of the housing is located in the same compound as the U.S. Consulate. The commute, if you call it that, is via foot, and it is about a five-to-seven minute walk from the Residence to the Consulate. USG employees are not permitted to self-drive and none of the USG employees have their own vehicles at post.
The apartments have tile floors, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and in-unit washers and dryers. You may opt to have daily maid service for a fraction of the cost of hourly maid service in the U.S.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Since the cost of living is so low in Karachi, the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies is low. There is are Western-style grocery stores at major shopping malls in Karachi. The prices at those stores are on-par with non-Pakistani wages. It is relatively easy to find household supplies and groceries at those grocery stores.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Spray sun tan protectant and insect repellant.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There is a plethora of both Western and Pakistani fast food and decent restaurants in Karachi. Almost every restaurant delivers to the Consulate for a pithy charge. With enough coordination, USG employees are permitted to physically go to the restaurants off-compound. it is relatively inexpensive to dine out in Karachi. The restaurants in the Western hotels are comparably priced to cater to a more affluent clientele.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
As with any warm-climate area, insects are prevalent. Fortunately I did not see huge spiders or cockroaches. Geckos are everywhere as they help reduce the insect population. Malaria is rampant in Karachi and I recommend taking anti-malaria medication and/or insect repellent while in Karachi.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
USG employees are able to use USG-issued mailing addresses to send and receive mail at the Consulate. The transit time for snail mail can take anywhere from seven to twenty-one days from CONUS to Karachi. Mail delivery can be delayed or suspended due to the current security situation in-country.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
There is ample domestic help available to USG employees. The costs are so much palatable than the costs of domestic help in Weatern cities.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are two nicely-equipped gyms on the USG compound and the Marines also have their own gym. There is no cost to use any of the three gyms, which are open 24/7.
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?
It is best to use cash. Credit cards and ATM cards should only be used at reputable retailers. Identity theft is not as prevalent in Karachi as it is in the U.S., but be mindful of your use of plastic when paying for things.
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?
Urdu is the national language of Pakistan, and depending on your role within your employer, i.e. USG, education, NGO, etc., you may or may not ever need to speak or read Urdu. As a courtesy, you may want to learn basic phrases like "How are you?" and " Thank you."
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, most definitely. The infrastructure in Karachi is abysmal. The city is not ADA-compliant or even near ADA-friendly. As with most lesser-developed cities, people with mental or physical disabilities are shunned. Karach is no exception and I do not advise people with disabilities to visit.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No, no, no, and yes.
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?
USG employees are prohibited from bringing their own vehicles to Karachi. Violence is rampant and USG employees do not self-drive in Karachi.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes and no. USG employees may opt for Internet speeds of up to 8 MB upload. The most common Internet speed is about 2 MB. Costs for the speeds are about US$80 and US$25/monthly, respectively.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
It is best to bring an unlocked cell phone to Karachi. You can purchase a pay-as-you go plan for that phone. Cell phone connectivity is often spotty throughout Karachi. The Government of Pakistan will bring down cell networks at random times so it is best that you have a CB radio for emergency communication.
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?
USG employees are not permitted to bring dogs to Karachi. Cats are permitted, but very few people actually bring their pet to post. Again, due to the current security situation, an evacuation is always imminent. Pets cannot travel with the USG employee when he/she is evacuated.
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?
No, not for USG employees.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
The dress code at work is fairly casual. When USG employees interact with the public, it best that they dress professionally in business suits or traditional Pakistani dress.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and terrorists groups hide in Karachi due to the sheer number of people who inhabit that city. Crime is raging and it is a very dangerous city. The level of anti-Western sentiment is high and Pakistanis are often killed because of their professional associations with Westerners. It is advisable for Westerners to heed the advice of their respective security section within their employer, I.e. school, embassy, consulate, NGO, etc.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Health concerns abound in Karachi. It is a poor city with subpar medical care. There a few stand-out medical facilities but those are for the more affluent patients.
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?
The air quality is not unbearable. However, Karachi has a very peculiar smell. Since Karachi is on the water, the smell of rotting fish and other sea creatures and even dead people, permeates the air. You quickly become accustomed to the smells and it is just another day on the beach.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Almost any medication is available without a prescription in Karachi. People with allergies, or any other general medical ailment, can easily purchase drugs on the local economy. The prices of those drugs are very reasonable compared to prices in Western cities. The best part is that you probably do not need a prescription for your allergy drugs, etc.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
The climate is warm almost year-round. Karachi does not have four seasons, but the cooler months are November through February. It is one of the most southern cities in Pakistan so it rarely snows in Karachi. It does not rain very often, but when it does, the city almost comes to a halt. The poor infrastructure in Karachi allows the rainwater to flood the streets and causes havoc among the already-maniacal drivers.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
In spite of its name, the Karachi American School does not have students from the USG community. Due to the current security situation in Karachi, USG-children are not allowed to accompany their parents to post.
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Not applicable as USG-children are not permitted in Karachi.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
The size of the expat community in Karachi is fairly small. The Karachi American School and the USG employees seem to comprise most of the expat community.
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?
USG employees pretty much stick with each other. The reason is predicated on the current security situation. Non-USG employees adhere to different rules so they may have more input on the social goings-on in Karachi.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
USG families are not allowed at post due to the current security situation. There are a handful of single USG employees who are single and all of the U.S. Marines are single. It is rare that USG couples are posted together in Karachi.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Pakistan is generally homophobic. That said, there are a few homosexual USG employees in Karachi.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes, yes, and yes. It is unfortunate but these biases are still very much alive in Karachi and throughout Pakistan.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Due to the security situation for Westerners, I was not able to sightsee as much as I would have wished. The highlight from my experience in Karachi was a tight-knit community with fellow Westerners.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The secret gem for USG employees is the housing. There is a true sense of community and camaraderie among the USG employees.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Custom-made wood items such as furniture and custom-tailored clothing.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
The cost of living is dirt cheap; the average annual wages for a Pakistani is US$1,500. As an expat earning Western wages, you can live like a king in Karachi. It is very easy to save more than half of your annual wages while living in Karachi. The weather is not too bad either. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the humidity is relatively low, which makes the high temperatures more bearable. The sun is often out and cloudy days are far and few between.
10. Can you save money?
Yes to the nth-degree.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I wish that I had learned Urudu prior to going to Karachi.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes, most definitely.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Hopes and dreams. Seriously, leave behind personal effects that you will not use. The USG apartments are fully-furnished, including towels, bedding, flatware, etc., so you do not need to bring anything except your clothes and toiletry items.
4. But don't forget your:
Open mind and patience.
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?
7. Do you have any other comments?
Karachi really is an interesting place in which to live. I would visit it again, but not live there. My reason is that there are so many cities in the world in which to live, why would I want to live in the same place twice?
