Hello Leanne, Its great that you are deciding to move to Abidjan with your family.

I don't know which country you are coming from but am sure that you are aware that Ivory Coast is totally French speaking. There is an American School here and is quite expensive with the level of education that is also questionnable.

Abidjan is a very safe place to stay. The people are very nice and quite polite. You have very good malls and you can find practically everything.

Social Activites-There is quite a large expat community here and there are get-togethers. There is also a very large Lebanese Community.

Do bear in mind that Abidjan is a bit on the expensive side (when compared to other African countries).

Hoping this helps you in making a decision :)

Please let me know if you have any specific questions.

Abbas

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Thanks for your reply Abbas, currently living in France and we are all fluent so no problem there, do you know anything about the Lycee Blaise Pascal? Is the level correct?

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Hi, me too I am considering an offer to move to Abidjan next month with my wife and two daughters, I live in abidjan 10 years ago but lt has been long and I don't know how things are going now what about security, what about all the malls and restaurants in zone 4 I hope its all there as it was before, how much is needed now to live in Abidjan ? To rent house? To buy car?
Thanks for your help

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Hello Karim,

A 2 bedroom house in Zone 4 should cost you about USD 750, car (economical and good condition) about USD 4-5,000.

Yes, infact now there are many more restaurants and malls then ten years before, so don't worry about that.

Security is quite good but like in all cities, you have to be careful and prudent in some areas. Zone 4 is very peaceful (I live here so I can speak from experience)

Let me know if you have other queries.

Abbas

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Thanks a tons; at my time it was only prima and sococe:):) one last question how much it cost per month to eat drink go out and live the normal expat life for one person on average?:)

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Hello Karim,
Sorry for the late reply. Because u r moving in with ur family, u will have to bear other expenses like education, medical, clothing, food etc...but on a per person basis, I don't think it should exceed USD 450 / month.

Hope this helps...

Abbas

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Hi,

My husband, Lebanese is also planning to move there, around Treichville or Marcory. I know there are lots of Lebanese nationals in the Ivory Coast.

A lot of his family is already there, so settling in isnt a problem... There is already an apartment there for us, and there will also be a job available immediately starting of minimum $3,500 per month but will be likely $4,000 and more...

We dont have any children yet, since we wont have rent to pay and will rely on his salary alone, how much would we be able to save?

I am British, I learnt French in School, so will need to refresh and re-learn....

How much will it cost to start a business? maybe a shop selling Electronics?

Any ideas about the life/Culture etc would be helpful... I am clueless about the country, my husband assures me it will be fine and its very similar to Lebanon which Iove...

Thanks

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Hello Sony,

First, your husband is right. It won't be a problem for you to fit right in.

There is a very big Lebanese community in Abidjan.

Your husband's salary will allow you to leave comfortably here. I am assuming that even if you spend around USD 2,000 for food and other expenses, the balance amount can be put in your 'savings'.

French-you have an advantage of having learnt in school. Yet, I think this won't be enough. Initially, once you reach, you can think about private tutorials. Again, to learn any language you need to practise it and as time goes by-am sure you will learn it well.

Starting a business--you planning to do this from your husband's salary? If yes, I don't think this would be sufficient. Abidjan is quite expensive and your husband's salary may not suffice as 'start-up capital'.

Culture/life--Quite a safe place to stay with many restaurants and malls. The people are friendly. There is a strong 'French' influence.

Hoping to have answered your query I remain

Abbas

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Hi Abbas,

Thank you for your answers, it has given me some insights already. No one can give better ideas than those who are already living there.

Ofcourse I will be practicing French all the time as I am currently learning Arabic also. I am the type of person who can remember things quite easily. I understand more than I can speak at the moment.

As for the business, no I am not planning to start on my husband's salary, I meant is it good to start a business there with the current Economic Climate and also how much would you say it will cost to start a business like the ones I mentioned?

Also, I am British/Chinese national, I know that many people deal with China for their business, no doubt this will help me as I am fluent in Chinese and English.

Are there many British/Chinese people in the Ivory Coast? I am just a bit worried about all this, it will be a huge culture shock for me to move from London, where I am now to Africa.

Also, I know of the recent war in the Ivory Coast with the ex leader etc... is life back to normal now? I know many people left Africa and my husband's family was there, in the middle of the war zone, it was a scary time..

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Hello Sony,

Start a business--frankly, I don't know how 'big' you want to go...It would also depend which area you are starting up because of the rent factor. Also, it would depend on whether you are going for imports or local trading...I think the best option would be to first come, settle down and then do a market survey/research.

British/Chinese Nationals--Sorry, haven't gotten in touch with any. I do attend foreign nationals 'get-togethers'-haven't yet met anyone.

Life back to normal--yes ! Infact, the country is going through a reconstruction phase.

Culture Shock--just be strong and come with an open mind. Don't expect too much and go with the flow :)

Abbas

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Hi Abbas,

Thanks for the info, I am not planning anything "HUGE" business. I guess its just something small to keep myself busy since I do not want to be bored at home with nothing to do...

My husband said we will be going to Treichville or Marcory? I read from here that people like Zone 4 and its suppose to be the best area, I saw on the map that they are not too far from where my husband plans to go...?

I guess I am looking at having a small shop. But you are right, I guess I can research on this when I am there... if we do decide to move there.

You are right, its not that often a Chinese marry an Arab eh! :) It was quite rare even in Lebanon...! Most Asians were maids there... so they were looking at me wondering....

From what I heard, yes, everything is better for Africa now, since less people are there and so more job opportunities with better wages, this is partly why my husband wants to go there and try.

Perhaps one day we will meet :)

Thanks again

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