Hi bcn 84,
First of all, i would like to say that you are a very brave girl thinking to go to africa on your own!
I will try to answer all of your questions, but i would like to aks you first if you already have a job or planning to start searching once you are in Abidjan? If you don't have a job offer yet I don't think your stay in Abidjan will be very pleasant....
1. Right, so the best areas to live in Abidjan would be Zone 4 and Cocody or Riviera. However, i would advice to look for housing which is not very far from your place of work. The city is huge and taxes are expensive. Zone 4 is the most expensive area. For a studio you would pay 200.000cfa which is something like 400$ a month - pure rent, electricity bills and water are not included.
2. I dont think its easy to find someone who is a volunteer, most of expats came to CI as a spouse or a worker. But you will obviously meet lots and lots of expats who like to go out on weekends and lead interesting way of life.
3. The weather is hot! Its not about the hit, its more about the moise climate - 90% moisture! So you won't enjoy walking in a day time. Its a bit frastrating lif there is no airconditioners in your house.
No, rains are not that aften. It's ok. :)
4. THere is no problem to purchase the car. all depends on how much you want to spend on it. Make sure that all your docs are Ok, otherwise the local police will harrass you a lot! You will spend more on solving the problems rather than on buying a car.
5. I don't know how much will be your salary, but if you want to live in a good area, go out, buy food in supermarkets and pay the petrol, i think you will need no less than 700.000-1.000.000 cfa a month. You can transfer the money with Western Union or moneygram. That's the only convinient way i know here.
6. as for the salary for expats in general, i think it all depends on a company. If you are coming on your own and start looking for job by yourself, dont expect to get a high salary. The thing is, there are lots of expats here and there is a competition. The best way to get a nice job and nice salary is only if you have good connections. Otherwise.....

I hope i gave you a clue on what's life like in Abidjan. Decision is yours :)

Best regards,

Tamara

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Dear Tamara,

First of all, thank you so much for your reply!!!!!

Yes I already have a job in Abidjan. It's in marketing for a Spanish company which has products in African market. I am young and I feel this will be "my oportunity". New responsabilities, independance... I shouldn't miss it, shouldn't I??

I am suposed to receive my proposal of contract around december but I just wanted to know a bit what should I expect and ask for... And I am sure that I do not want to be at home all day long... working inside the office will be enough!!

My work is in Plateaux but some of my collegues tell me that in Plateaux nothing happens at weekends... that is why I was thinking about Cocodis or Zone 4.

I have read some of the other posts about the gym..I hope I can find one which is ok.

Wawwwww about the westernunion and moneygram! I thought I could open a bank account in bnp or any french bank and that from there I could do transfers to Spain...

Perfect about the car, I'll take care about the papers.

Give me your e'mail and then I can give you more details and maybe one day meet once I am there!!!
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Dear bcn 84,

Its nice hearing from you again! I am glad that you already have a job offer which means that the major problem is solved!
If your office is in Plateux you can rent a flat somewhere in Cocody. However, there is something you should know before taking a house. Due to an unstable political situation, people are now moving to zone 4 which is near the airport. Cocody is behind the bridge which could be blocked in case of war or any problem related to an upcoming elections. So Zone 4 is the most convinient place to live in terms of security.
I wouldnt say that there is nothing going on on weekends in Plateaux. There is a casino, a bar with the best life music in town, its called Cafe du Rome, several restaurants. But nightlife is all in Zone 4. If you like going out Zone 4 is the best to live in.
You can surely contact me on my email: tamarap444@yandex.ru
I will be very happy to meet once you are in Abidjan.
If you have any other questions, please let me know.

Hope to see you soon!

Best regards,
Tamara

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Dear Tamara,

Sorry for continuing with the Post.

I have received an "Employment offer" from a company called Media nes Services.

The address given in the communication is:
MEDIANES SERVICES
Grand Carrefour De Marcory,
Immeuble Trigone 10 Bp 2354 Abidjan
10 Ville : Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether this is a genuine organization.

Regards

Siddique

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Hey!

I myself have only been here a couple of months, but I might be able to help:

I think Zone 4 or Plateau would be among my preferences.

It gets kinda hot during the day, rest is quite good. Doesn't rain so much.

No idea about the car.

No idea about salary.

Eres muy valiente!

Si quieres nos tomamos una cervecita. Saludos!

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Dear bcn84,

I'm a 25 year old boy from Belgium and I (also) accepted the challenge to work in Ivory Coast (Abidjan). I will stay here for at least 6 months. as I arrived last weekend, its still kind of new to me. :)

Apparently Zone 4 is the place to be, I live there and its very nice and quite safe, although I can not compare with other places.

Abouyt the car, to rent one is expensive, taxi's are cheap....

If you want we can meet for a drink.

Have a nice stay! gtrz Kris

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okay I posted this somewhere else but I see that there is quite a bit of activity on this thread so I will post here again.
Sorry if you have aready read this!

"Hey!
Well I posted here awhile ago and we are now in Abidjan! Whoop!
I am 24 and studying through a international university (UNISA) based in South Africa (where I come from). My father has been working here for 2 years and my mom and I have been living in Ghana while he commutes back and forth.
But for business now its better to be in Ivory Coast full time so me and my mom have moved :)
I have been here for 1 week and am still trying to get used to everything.

Shopping wise its been pretty much Prima and Cap Sut (food shopping is), we live very close to them.

We have a Ivorian lady helping out with the house and the cooking and she has been chatting away at me in french til her heart is content and all I do is smile :) hahaha! She must think I am stupid. :)
Hoping to start the French lessons REAL soon.

I went and checked out Calao gym and I think I will sign up, they really have amazing classes so I'm keen.

I think thats all I can say for now, if you want to catch up PM your details and then can take it from there!
At the moment I'm just discovering a little bit everyday.

Oh, met a woman from Belgium and her 2 daughters and they are having a tea/coffee meet and greet thing tomoz morning (Wed), apparently this happens every single Wed at a different ladies home and its for English speaking ppl.
So I will find out the details and post soon!
Keep well!

Warm Regards,
Olivia"

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Dear Olivia, quite a story you have there! I was also looking for french courses or more specialized courses, either way short terms courses (field of logistics or international trade) in the evening, but up to now I did not find much. The regular school/university's only offer longer courses it seems. You as a student might have better sources no? grtz Kris

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Dear Olivia, Welcome to Abidjan! Good job on entertaining yourself, there is really not much to do here but you already managed to find some activities!!! :)
Hi Kris, I was looking for French classes for a long time myself and besides Cocody University did not find anything else. For learning Business French I would try to negotiate with someone who works in colleges teaching marketing, or logistics. Like I am working in one college in Zone 4 and there are some real professionals who could probably guide you on logistics/transit matters in French?

Regards,
Tamara

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Hai,

I have received an employment contract from M/s Medianes Services, at Abidjan, and I would like to have basic feed back about the above said company.
Grateful if i get information,to decide about change of job and place.

thanks
badri

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The address given in the communication is:

MEDIANES SERVICES
Grand Carrefour De Marcory,
Immeuble Trigone 10 Bp 2354 Abidjan
10 Ville : Abidjan Cote d'Ivoire

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Thanx Toma! :)

Found out that there is an english speaking bar: Jardyland in Deux Plateau - that is owned by a English man apparently from the UK. They have a fish and chips evening every friday night.
I think its so that ppl can get together and meet.

I'm going to go check it out this coming friday (29th) so if anyone is keen to join, then either meet me there or contact me before :)

Oh and Che Café (zone 4) is a great place to pass by as they have different themes happening every week (that is what I was told). Last fri night, or was it thurs? I can't remember but it was Blues & Rock.

about the French classes, I can ask the ladies this wed morning about it. I was given a name from an Italian couple that I met so will find out more about it.

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badri you should start your own new thread.
This is not the spot to paste your question.

Hence the title "girl moving to Abidjan jan'10"

This is a welcome thread :)

I know someone else posted here about a company but if we all just keep posting various topics under a topic called "girl moving to Abidjan jan'10"
we will never know where to look for answers to our questions :)

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Dear Tamara, stlc,

I will check Cocody University for classes, am also checking with IBM-T for courses. Would prefer classes as there is more contact with other students. Last week I was in Che Café, its a nice bar and more 'stylish' than the other bars, people there seem also more adult. This weekend I have plans already but will definitely go to Ché café again.

grtz Kris

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Went to Jardyland and the fish and chips was really really good. I was really surprised! Don't know why I was surprised, cause all the food I have eaten so far here, has been MUCH better than Ghana. :)
The main lady that works there speaks French, Spanish and Italian so that helped alot :)

The group I was with then went to Che Cafe afterwards (round 11:30pm) and it was great! The music was pumping, nice crowd and ppl were streaming in through the door every min.
I think a great place to start off the evening.

Rgrds, Olivia

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Dear badrinarayanan,
I am sorry, but there is no such company as Median Services in Abidjan. Its a scam, make sure you will not become a part of it.
Cheers,
Tamara

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Hey all,
I also like Che Cafe, thats a place to hang out! But I am a fan of live music and we usually go to Cafe du Rome which is in Plateux. You should check it out. They sing both in french and in English.

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Hi Guys,

Concerning french course you should have a look at alliance francaise which is a bit expensive but with high standards. I am french and I have been living in Ivory Coast for quite a long time at different era.

I live in deux plateaux in a big house with a swimming pool and I am looking for housemates. If you hear about any one arriving or if you are looking yourself, do not hesitate to come for a visit.

Otherwise, if you need any relevant information about Abidjan or the rest f the country just drop ma an email at stanstab@gmail.com

Hope to hear about you soon.

cheers.

Stan

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Give a try at parker place, street paul langevin in zone 4. This street is just in front of the mercedes shop. Great live reggae from thursday to sunday included.

Otherwise on saturday you can try the champion at blokauss.

Cheers.

Stan

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Hi

I am a professional nurse and midwife. My name is Meagan and I will be 25 in September. My husband and I are immigrating to Abidjan in September and I am so nervous!
Will I be able to work ANYWHERE if I dont speak french?

How is the healthcare level there? We want to start planning for a baby.

Are there a lot of mosquitos? I am worried about the malaria!!

How is the safety? Is there anything to do during the day if you don't work?

Anyone from South Africa?

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Good to know about coo places to chill out. I will be arriving first week on nov, after elections...hoping to find things on a melow note, please anyone, as everyone else getting there for the fisrt time, some guidance realting cool sports, vegestables, gyms, beaches...really sound heaven already...

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HI.
i live in abidjan for many years. I dont have much friends Since i am not good in french. gLADD TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH U.

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Hi. I lam working in abidjan for many years.If you need any assistence please email me khwaja21@yahoo.com.sg

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