5 Tips For Living in Dhaka, Bangladesh

By Joshua Wood

Article Link: http://www.expatexchange.com/lib.cfm?articleID=4695

Summary: Expats in Dhaka, Bangladesh live in a developing nation, yet a city that is also home to a significant part of the nation's technology, industrial and financial base. Some of the sites are beautiful, yet the poverty is also difficult for some to see over an extended period of time.

Expats in Bangladesh that live in Dhaka reside in the capital city of the South Asian nation. The Dhaka economy is a significant engine of Bangladesh's economy as a whole, with technology, finance and pharmaceuticals all having a significant presence in the city.

Basics For Expats in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Expats should know Dhaka is a city undergoing massive changes, as urbanization is a significant factor and may be what is bringing them there in the first place. It's one of those cities where you will see gorgeous hotels or great restaurants set against a vacant lot or dilapidated one-story building.

Health Care in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Expats should make sure that they have International health insurance in Dhaka, such as what is offered by Cigna Global.

The Urbanisation of Bangladesh is having a significant impact on the health care system.

Here are a few hospitals available in Dhaka:

Apollo Hospitals
Square Hospitals

There are many other hospitals in Bangladesh

Expats Moving to Dhaka - Where to Live

One expat in Dhaka reported in that expats moving there "live mostly in apartments." The expat also wrote that: "basically my company decided. All expats lived in Gulshan area so we went for same. Baridhara seemed nicer but it was more expensive too. Now they have started construction on high buildings everywhere in both Gulshan and Baridhara and it is quite tough to live in these areas. In a few years these areas will not be so called residential anymore. My company used an agent to see apartments."

Expat Culture Shock in Dhaka

An expat in Dhaka wrote in an expat culture shock report that the culture shock was "enormous." And wrote that some of the more challenging aspects of the culture included "much impatience, poor attempts at Westernization, greed, corruption, [and] lack of understanding about the need for personal space." Another expat agreed about the culture shock in Dhaka, writing that "it is significant."

Expats Should Be Prepared For What They Will See in Dhaka

Expats should be aware that the living conditions for people in Bangladesh is not easy to see day-in and day-out. One expat reported in a culture shock report that "My 4 years living in Bangladesh and traveling through the country itself has humbled me a lot. The country and its people are burdened with immense difficulties, which makes an average day living incredibly tough viewing from the expat's end."

Expat Women Should Dress Somewhat Conservatively

Expat women in Dhaka should know that some people in Bangladesh will not be accepting of exposing too much skin. One expat reported: "Finally ladies to dress conservatively. There are extremist-thinking people who may find exposure of too much skin not acceptable. Generally the country feels secular though i must say."

About the Author

Joshua Wood is one of the owners of ExpatExchange.com. In addition to expatriates and international relocation, he has written about numerous other topics over the last 15 years. He is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist, and one of his primary areas of interest is the psychological impact of international relocation.

First Published: Feb 03, 2016