Expat Guide to Living in Abidjan

Whether you're already living in Abidjan or preparing to move to Abidjan, our Expat Guide to Living in Ivory Coast offers articles and reports submitted by expats about expat life in Abidjan. For answers to specific questions, visit our Ivory Coast Forum to talk with expats in Abidjan.

Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

An expat in Ivory Coast talks about the challenges and frustrations of living in Abidjan. She has lived in other countries, but never experienced culture shock as significant as this before.

Culture Shock in Abidjan, Ivory Coast

An expat in the Ivory Coast has found the locals to be very unfriendly. She has lived abroad for 22 years and feels that the Ivory Coast is the most difficult place that she has lived.

More Culture Shock Reports for Abidjan

Culture shock is part of the settling in process. Knowing the different phases of culture shock and how other expats in Abidjan handle it can be very comforting. Below are some of the responses from expats in Abidjan:

Submit a Culture Shock Report

Living Overseas Report

What are people's priorities in Abidjan - work? family? socializing? What are the best ways to meet other expats? Are people accepting of racial, cultural and religious differences? Help other expats and people moving to Abidjan by filling out our Living Overseas Report.

Submit a Living Overseas Report

Moving Overseas Report

What should you take with you when you move to Abidjan? What should you leave behind? What type of housing and neighborhoods are typical for expats in Abidjan? Help others moving to Abidjan by filling out our Moving Overseas Report.

Submit a Moving Overseas Report

International School Report

Parents are invited to answer questions about the schools that their kids attend (Pre-K through High School) in hopes of helping others moving to Abidjan with the school selection process. If you have expat children who attend school in Abidjan, take a few minutes to submit a School Review.

Submit an International School Review

Dream vs. Reality Report

Most expats have have "dreams" (and fears) about the expatriate experience before they moved to Abidjan. If you are already living in Abidjan, share how those "dreams" have been fulfilled, and how they have not by filling out our Dream vs. Reality Report.

Submit a Dream vs. Reality Report

Overseas Retirement Report

Retiring abroad can be a great option for retirees seeking their dream lifestyle at an affordable price. Help other retirees, who are thinking about retiring in Abidjan by filling out our Overseas Retirement report.

Submit a Retire Abroad Report

Having a Baby Abroad Report

How did expats choose their doctors, midwives, hospitals? What is childbirth like in Abidjan? Help other expats who are preparing to have a baby in Abidjan by filling out our Having a Baby Abroad Report.

Submit a Having a Baby Abroad Report

Working Abroad Report

What's it like to find a job in Abidjan? How difficult was it to obtain a work permit? What types are jobs are typical for expats in Abidjan? Help others following in your footsteps by filling out our Working Abroad Report.

Submit a Working Abroad Report

Expatriate Health Insurance

Get a quote for expat health insurance in Ivory Coast from our partner, Cigna Global Health.
Get a Quote

Are Expats Returning Home due to the Coronavirus Pandemic?

We surveyed expats and asked if they are returning home or making plans to repatriate due to the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of expats said that felt safer staying put or were unable to repatriate due to travel restrictions.

Expats Report Experiences Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Expats are reporting their experiences abroad amid the coronavirus outbreak and, as always, demonstrating the inherent resilience that imbues the expat spirit.

Expats are reporting their experiences abroad amid the coronavirus outbreak and, as always, demonstrating the inherent resilience that imbues the expat spirit....