Lusaka anyone?

[timetosmile]

Wondering about possible move..specifically international schools, cost of living, security...

Any advice gratefully recieved!

We lived in Lusaka for 5 years 2004-2009 and absolutely loved it (now in Botswana but still loads of contacts in Zambia). I run a website for expats relocating to Southern Africa expatafrica.net. Am away right now but please do pm me on here or thru eleanor at expatafrica dot net (will be back home at laptop on Monday). Lusaka is lovely for families, safe & welcoming, you will have a great time but it is expensive so you need to get the package right before you go .

Are you considering every location in sub Saharan Africa, timetosmile?! I spent a year in Zambia - not in Lusaka - & would happily pack the kids up for a move there. I think it would be great.

ahh, Rilla I think we are!!
Jobs seem to be possibilities, and then aren't, or re just for 6 months, or civil war erupts.....
Where were you in Zambia, then?

Mkushi district - farming area, north of Kabwe. I would happily live there too! There is a good international boarding school there too, with a strong Christian ethos.

I only spent time in Lusaka passing through/going out to clubs/in the cinema, but I very much liked the "vibe" & never felt it was a risky place. I do know of another MNer who has recently moved to Lusaka actually, but I have forgotten her username. Perhaps she will see this.

My sister has lived in Lusaka for the past 14 years - she doesn't have children, but has lots of friends who do. She has been very happy, Lusaka (and Zambia in general) seems relatively safe compared to some other African countries and Zambians are friendly and welcoming. Lusaka is not a cheap place to live however, so I second the advice about ensuring you have a good package. We visit every few years (when we can afford the airfares) and it is a beautiful country - am just planning next years trip now and my elderly parents (in their 70s) are going out for their annual visit tomorrow.

Rilla I've had a look at the boarding school website..I think I might feel a little if I sent them to board when there were actually dayschool options available. Will chat to DS1 if our plans firm up a bit

dotty do you mean expensive relative to other neighbouring African countries or relative to the UK...and is that 'baseline' things like utilities, or the cost of imported things we Brits think we can't do without like marmite! or is it a high cost to maintain a traditional 'ex-pat' lifestyle which we wouldn't neccessarily have in the UK? Your comments are really helpful, thanks

Rent & school fees are very expensive. Utilities & security can be, and often unreliable so you need a good package to help out with backup. Groceries more expensive than UK but not extortionate. Cars & white goods seriously overpriced - take your own but be prepared for them never to recover. As a family you will need use of 2 cars. Petrol cheaper than UK but not hugely so. Staff & labour in general is very cheap & generally pretty good