Dar es Salaam Travel Forum

Hi travellers, there is a possibility of my husband working in Dar for a few years. I've travelled a fair bit and am no wimp...quite happy to scoot around Shanghai on local transport alone type of gal, but I've not lived overseas [ husband has].
I love Kenya but what do you peeps think are the pros and cons of permanent living in Dar please? I'm 52. healthy and outgoing.

Many thanks, G.

I was unimpressed with DAR (think dusty, poor, nothing happening) on a one week business trip earlier this year; though the hotel (Kempinski) was sweet.

If you go to live there; have your husband demand a walled villa on the road north of town (like old Key Biscayne) to Seacliff Hotel or don't move there.

As a foreigner living there, you at least would see many tourists

hi there,

I lived in Tanzania for 3 and a half years up until this year. I was volunteering. I never lived in Dar es Salaam but I visited regularly from the rural areas to purchase items, to do large bulk shopping and also in transit to any place else!

Dar es Salaam is dusty and very hot and believe it or not there was a time only last year where there were regular daily all day power cuts. This has now been rectified. Dar es Salaam has many amenities and I never wanted for anything whilst I stayed in Dar es Salaam. I have a number of colleagues and friends (european) that have lived there long term and also those that currently still still there. (Working or home making with children)

Compared to UK where I am from, Tanzania is extremely cheap but Dar is naturally more expensive than other areas.

There are restaurants shops,gymns, health clubs, a large cinema that shows new releases (just out of town centre on the way pas Mwenge) and also the tourist things but on the whole the centre is very quiet after the close of business.

Living areas are best out of town centre, on the way or close to the peninsular road, Msasani area, Slipway area, past the Mwenge area towards 'whitesands'. These are the places that have nice well maintained, safe/securty manned properties. However I had a friend who lived for a couple of years in the city centre in an apartment block above the banks on OHIO street. Large properties with good views and security safe also.

There seems to be a good ex-pat community in Dar es Salaam if you are worried about lack of europeans/Americans/Australians.


there are things available to do if you look for them.

I hope this helps. feel free to ask any more questions.

ZDJ

Dar es Salaam is beautiful, very friendly people and culture. I would recommend it to anyone. But, you do always have to have your guard on! Hold your purse close, be careful who you trust- but don't be scared to go up and talk to strangers, and don't go out alone at night.

You'll love it!