Moving to Ethiopia with family....how is it there?

Here is some advice - and remember I love the country and am used to its ways. Things happen slowly and will be very different to the USA - the best advice I can offer is to STOP think WESTERN and you will be fine. It is the 7th poorest country in the world and that will become clear. But in many ways it is a far greater country to live in than the USA and the UK - less rules!!!

There is a small but good western community - you can get internet - good housing and medical attention - and schools. Most Ethiopians speak English well so no language problems. Addis is not a big city at all. It is very high up so the air is thin. Banking is a huge problem unless you have a work/residency permit. Shopping for Western goods is limited. Cars are very very expensive - except for the new imports of Chinese 'Liffen' cars that do not have the high import tax - I would import a car from the USA (it has to be Toyota - or you not get parts).

There are plenty of good quality hotels and all sorts of budgets - so no problem there. You can rent a good house at a reasonable cost. You will be able to hire servants very cheap. Guides are easy to come by. My e-mail is [email protected] - Skype richard.lee0071. Hope this helps for now.