Hey Lucho,

WOW, such a lot of questions! Very thorough!

I will try to answer to the best of my abilities but I am sure you will appreciate that we all have different expectations and experiences so what may seem expensive to one may be reasonable to another.

I have been out here with my husband for almost a year now. Jeff is the Operations Manager of an Oil Service Company. We love it and enjoy a high standard of living. We have a great social life and spend most weekends in the company of people we feel we have become good friends with. We often dine out and there is a very wide range of nationalities, prices and standards. We are still learning!

Soooo,

1. Groceries, let me tell you what I bought today (in Congolese francs, cfa). There are 4 small supermarkets that generally cover most requirements
Indian, Lebanese, French and 1 other I am not sure about! I went to one supermarket 'Casino' which I believe is part of a French chain. I bought a half kilo of minced beef and 2 slices of beef steak for 15,000cfa, a small camembert 4,000cfa, 1 pkt of apple slices 1.500cfa and a pkt macaroons 1,500.
I then went to the local bakers at the town centre marketplace (La Plateau) and bought 4 wholemeal rolls and 4 white rolls and 2 baguettes for 1600cfa.
They were still hot they were that fresh, so, very nice.
On my way home I passed a guy carrying fish. 2 large 'barr' (I think thats what they are called) for 25.000 and 4 smaller ones for 20,000. I think its quite expensive but I think the price jumps up depending on the colour of your skin!! (white mans tax). There is a local market that takes some doing but its much, much cheaper. Cheaper still if you can organise someone local to shop for you! If I get my 'menager' and driver to shop for me I can get 2-3 times more for half the money!!!

2. Housing, The prices range enormously depending on type and area. There are all types of property to be had and the price depends on many things just as anywhere else. Area, size, no. bedrooms, un/furnished, pool, flat, villa, studios, compound and so on. What you do have to be aware of are the various taxes that have to be taken into account and staffing for security, gardening, domestics etc.
For example, while I cant say what our rent is, we are in a very nice area 'wharf' which is highly populated by expats (mostly) French! We are close to the beach and several restaurants/bars all within walking distance.
but by the time you add all the 'extras' however, our rent is almost doubled, so be aware!

3. Cars, In all fairness I would have to say that most expats probably have 4x4's, we certainly do. There are sedans available but I cant honestly say I have seen any expats driving them! Our company is really strict about security and we have been supplied with drivers too. Its great. They act as guides, translators, security and create a bond with the area, they get involved if bartering is required and liaise with house staff. They are also great for deterring the various 'police'. I personally have not been stopped while in the car for any 'miscellaneous' car tax etc. As for prices, I am not aware of those kind of figures although I have seen posters for second hand cars on boards around town.

4. Healthcare, hhmmm! Having spent the last week in a couple of healhcare clinics and visiting pharmacies I have some very recent prices etc.
To be fair, our company pays all our medical bills. We just have to quote the company name etc. In the last week I have witnessed very good care from the medical and nursing staff. The only issue is the standard of cleanliness of the clinical rooms. They are FAR from the standards we expect in Europe. However, they are thorough. Scans, xrays are done there and then on site.
A visit to a Dr was charged at 20,000cfa. Prescriptions are returned to you after they have been filled and the prices are reasonable. Today a course of strong antibiotics for a 10 day course cost 10,500 cfa. Beyond that I dont know. Obviously a lot depends on your companies arrangements.

5. Flights, We fly with Air France. They fly between PN and Paris 3 times a week. Depending on any company deals you may organise the flights do average out but can vary quite considerably. We always have connecting flights so they would not show an accurate figure.
We have friends that travel to SA via Johannesburg, I am not aware of the prices. One thing that does seem to be shared is the ban against flying with Air Congo/ Trans Congo, not sure of the exact name. They are not allowed to fly into Europe as they dont pass the tests for standards!!!

6. Salaries, Cant help you there, I dont know that there is a standard salary. What I would say is that if you are organising a new contract make sure that it covers medical, transport, cost of living, lOI's, security, taxes, flights, incidentals, etc, etc. Things change just like the currency so try and take it all into account. I am sure you are aware of all of this so please dont be offended.

I hope this was not too long winded. I have tried to be as honest as I know how and I hope it helps. On a personal level, I love it out here and I am in no rush to go back to Scotland!

Bon Chance Lucho

Hey Fiona,

Thank you very much for your replies and apologies for not replying earlier. I'm working out details of my proposal and the information you provided has been very useful. I look forward to getting set up in Pointe Noire and meeting some new friends.

Best,
Lucho.

Hi All

My husband has been offered a posting in Point Noire and we have flights booked to fly up there for a look and see visit on 23rd June for a week. We are from Aberdeen, but have spent the last 2 1/2 years living in Cape Town. We have two small children (a 5 yr old and a 18 mth old) and are looking for some advice from people on housing, driving around and places we should visit on our trip.

Also, if anyone can provide me with any contacts for Estate Agents so that I can organise some property viewings on my trip that would be great.

I have contacted the principal at the International School already so I have some information regarding my son's education, but will need to visit there on our trip also.

Thanks for your help

Diane

Hello Melanie,

I moved just recently to PNR, from Austria and I would highly appreciate meeting with some people, respectively joining one of the mentioned events. Could you therfore please let me know when the next come-2-gether will take place?

Many thanks,
Charme

Hey Charme,

I am currently with my husband back in the UK for medical reasons and it will be some time before we return to Pointe Noire. Please ask if there is anything you want to know about PNR but you will probably start to meet plenty of people soon. Mel and Phil are great at introducing people to each other!

I hope we shall meet up some day.

Fi

Fi,

Thanx a lot for your quick reply!!
Hope everything's alright with you and i am looking forward to meeting you soon ).

Btw, I sent you also a message on Facebook, hope you dont mind.

All the best to you,
Charme

OK. I read entire topic, all the posts, and printed them so I can study them even further back home.

Unfortunately I am here to ask the old never seem to get it over with question: Is Point Noire safe for children?

Six years ago I had the utmost luck and regardless my borderline ugliness I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, and somehow she is growing prettier each day.

Before I was pregnant I had job opportunities dropping on me from all over, but when I became single mother, it was a struggle.

For past 5 years I have secure job that I love, but the wages are, just making by. I live in the rented apartment with absolutely no chance of ever getting my own place.
Since I was a HOT SHOT in my job prior pregnancy, I continued to provide first class work, but I made sure that everybody gets that my daughter is number one and there is nothing above her.

So for past 2 years I was responding NO to all opportunities that could even remotely separate me from my daughter, or endanger her even slightly.

Two weeks ago I was offered a job in Point Noire, all expenses payed, good salary, apartment near by companies resort, payed airplane tickets, health care, practically everything ( I hate to brag, but like I said, I am a multitask individual with science degree, rare, and unique).
Now, the only possible reason why I would say NO to this opportunity is if my daughter safety (and I do not mean malaria and similar, thats nothing) is jeopardized.

I believe that it is clear what am I afraid of. Please dont ask me to write it down because it makes me sick even to think of that for a second. My country is not peachy, but at least in that area we do not have many of those. At least I pray that is true. And sorry for barging in your forum, I am not from England, or even anywhere near UK (a whole continent away).
Oh, and she doesn't speak any english or french. I am trying to sign her in class but you need connections to get in.

Thank you all!

Hi Mayday

Where are you from?

I understand you concerns about your daughter regarding safety in Congo, my husband and I are currently in the process of relocating to Pointe Noire from Cape Town. We have two children ages 19 months and 5 years, and we feel that Pointe Noire is a perfectly safe place to take children, it certainly isn't any worse that any other part of the world. I think I get what you are trying to say in your post but may be wrong in this, can you provide anymore detail on your main concerns?

It may be difficult for her education wise given that she doesn't speak any english or french though. Does your company not provide you with any support in relation to your Daughters schooling. I'm sure that she would pick up French easily enough when there, but I do know that the English speaking International School will only take children that can already speak the language. The French school will accept children without them knowing french so that is an option for you.

I think as parents we all put our children first and I'm sure that none of the expats would be living in Pointe Noire if their safety were at risk.

I hope this answers your question, I'm sure some of the others will be able to help you more as they are already living there.

If you want to know anymore, get in touch again

Diane

Thank you. I checked all the posts and I think that I am sure now that if the deal goes through I will accept the job easy. I would love that my child learns new language. In my country the education is very low, that is why the country is falling apart. Everybody want get payed for doing nothing or even less. And the knowledge is worthless here. I have masters degree but without connections I might as well have elementary school only, nobody cares.
I was counting on leaving this country soon as my daughter is able to fight on her own ( I am a kick boxer and cant wait to sign her up in my club).

In a month I will know am I going or not, so now I need to work my best to get it.


Thank you!!!

Hi Mayday

Sorry i didnt get back to you. I have returned to the UK and the past 3 weeks have been hectic, trying to sort out houses and the kids starting at school. I spent 3 years in Congo and we all loved it. I actually think i worried less about the kids than i do back here.

Thanks to Dianne for replying quickly.

Hope you get the chance to move and love it as much as i did.

Melanie

Hi.... another question. How strict are the airport personal when it comes to food in baggage?

I wont to bring our flour, pasta, dry soup, sugar, salt, spices, all things that have long expiration date.

I know that the liquid is forbidden, but is this OK?
Can I stuck up on food supply immediately or I need to win on lottery and buy the food in Pointe noire?

And what clothes do I need? Hows the temperature in PN? Do I need sweaters, winter jackets, ski masks????
Shoes? Slippers or boots?

Whats the story with mosquitoes, do they spray it (in my town every summer they spray once during night and that's it, no mosquitoes).
I need repellent, any kind or expensive?
Any other bugs that I need to look for?
Can you tell me where can I find images of industrial zone, just to see where I am going to work (the company is currently preparing the terrain for the building). Basically they are starting from zero, and I will be the glue that holds everything together for six or nine months, until I trained somebody locally to do the job.

Thanks!

Hi

At the airport it all depends on who you get. We used to stock up on lots of food. Sauces, bacon etc. We were lucky and have never had our bags checked. Most of the time if they check your bags they may ask you for money but as i say it all depends on who you get and their mood that day.

It is mainly hot in PN, dont think you'll need jumpers etc. Most of the time i wore sandals or crocs. But i would take wellies for you and the little one for when it rains.

I'm not sure about an industrial map i'm afraid.

Hope this helps.

Melanie

They tell me I will get apartman for use when I am there. What do I get inside? Do I need to ask this question or is it standard that I get in rented apartment washing mashine, cooking stow, dishes, dryer, tv, internet...?

What water do you use for cooking?
Do they have cow milk and whats the quality?
On what side of the road do you drive?

And finnally,

I was counting that something will go wrong and that the deal won’t go through, but, it looks like I got the job. They are talking about signing the contract next week.
So I am afraid I have to ask the QUESTION that worries me the most.
Child kidnapping and paedophiles. Please, tell me the exact situation in Ponte Noire. When was the last kidnapping of a child, and how did they do it and where, out in the open or from the home, or from the day care? What happened to the child? Was he/she returned safely? What is the punishment for paedophiles? I hope that they take them in to the forest and feed animals with them, but I know I am pushing my luck with that, so what is the punishment? How safe and secure are kinder gardens? Is there safe and not safe day care institution? Which is the safest? Is there a chance that I leave my child in day care and when I return my baby is gone?
I see all this mothers who experience that and after one two 10 years they continue with their life’s, but I can’t, I won’t .... I can’t cope with it all.
So, please straight forward answer, child kidnapers and paedophiles, their status in Point Noire. How many cases per year and how often and how can I prevent it from happening other then refusing to take the job.
I spend last month searching for mini GPS tracking device, but they are all too visible. I am afraid that if I put that on my baby it would be like drawing a bull’s eye on her forehead, and just make her sweeter the target to snatch.
My friends tell me that I should refuse each job that makes me this afraid and aggravated, but I can’t pass out on the opportunity to earn money for down payment for small apartment, our own apartment not rent. It is a dream to live in your own home. I want to make that dream real for my baby.
I fill like somebody is poking me with thousands of small spikes.

http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/35/318.html

My private email is <snip> and I really wont and honest answer on this last question.

Hi all,

I just moved to Congo to settle with my boyfriend, who is working here, and I am hoping to get some advice on job-hunting and/or possibly volunteering my time somewhere. My French is decent but I am just not really sure where to start with my search.

Have any of you succeeded in finding a job after arrival in Pointe Noire? If so, how did you go about looking for openings/opportunities (since, obviously, finding a job online is difficult)? Lastly, do you have contact info or directions for any organizations/schools/projects that take on volunteers? I am starting to get a bit restless at home!

Thank you for your advice!

Thank you. Your "replies" speaks for it self. You gave me all the answer I needed.

Especially coldblooded j5l18 who hasn't even place one letter regarding my question, just pasted on at next subject, That's right sweeping under the carpet, it doesn't happen in your world, it is somewhere else and you're immune on it.

Lovely.