Living in Madagascar – With Family
How did your spouse and kids adjust to their new home?
Adapting to life in a new country can be challenging, regardless of its development status. Madagascar, in particular, presented unique aspects such as its location, culture, and climate. Fortunately, the presence of a large community of Cameroonians and expatriates in Antananarivo helped ease the integration process for my children. Additionally, the availability of international schools made it easier for them to acclimate to their new environment.
How did you find enrolling your kids into the schools here? Would you recommend local schools or International Schools?
There are a lot of international schools in English, French, German and even Chinese.
What is the process of renewing your visa like? What type of visas are available to expats and the costs?
The resident card (Visa) costs about 400usd. But it is a straightforward process.
How easy or complex is it to rent accommodation and what is the process like?
The real estate market is big, especially in Antananarivo. Renting is simple, however, expat residential areas are expensive.
In my opinion, the best neighbourhoods for expats to live in the city are Ivandry, Ivato and I will rate the accommodation at 7/10.
Utilities (Electricity and water) are affordable, however, only 1 in 4 people in Madagascar has access to electricity. Even those who do, have it for less than 10 hours a day.
What type of laws are there that protect women and children?
Just like any French-speaking African country. Women still do not benefit from affirmative laws.
What have you learned from Madagascar that you’d implement in your home country if you had the opportunity?
The community’s structure requires all residents to register with their local Fokotany and participate in maintaining security, cleanliness, and infrastructure in their neighbourhood. Approval from the Fokotany is necessary for all administrative tasks, making the system highly effective in managing cities like Douala and Yaounde.
Any final advice for someone who wishes to come live in this country?
Madagascar is a beautiful country. Visit if you can.
Read More:
- An Interview with Moses Ngwanah – Living in Madagascar with Family
- Expat Interview – Here’s what you need to know about Living in the DRC
- Cameroon Passport Wahala – The painful travel experiences of an Expatriate
