Angie in Marrakech: "Respect and family values are prevalent everywhere"

Where are you from, Angie, and what are you doing nowadays?

Before coming to Morocco, I had never been outside the USA. I have one daughter from a previous marriage and I am a young grandmother. I am currently a happily married woman with my second husband who is from Marrakech. We have been married for 4 years now. Before coming to Morocco, I had worked for 14 years in Social Services for the Government in the state of Nebraska. Nowadays, I am not working. Last year, when I took some time back in the USA to care for my terminally ill father, I was given the opportunity to work as a caregiver for developmentally disabled children and adults.

Why did you choose to expatriate to Morocco?

When I decided to leave America, I was facing some crisis in my life. I was getting divorced after living for 25 years with my first husband and it was a difficult situation. I was very ill when I chose to leave. I was advised by a doctor for a change of climate. A friend suggested me to come and visit Marrakech. I did. I liked it and stayed over here. It's been more than four years now.

What were the procedures to follow for a US national to move there?

I didn't have any trouble in moving to Morocco. Americans don't need a special visa. For the first year as I recovered from my illness, I was just a tourist. I visited Europe about every 3 months and renewed my tourist status in Morocco. After a year, I found myself in a new relationship and decided to remarry. I was happy to learn that this change in my life allowed me to get a residency card. There are several ways for expats to get a residency card. I am told that you can get it as I had done after my marriage. You can also get it via the purchase of property as a friend had done or through employment like another friend had, and even by starting a business.
Gathering the necessary information from the USA and various offices in Morocco to get a residency card is the hardest part. In most areas in Morocco, the list of requirements can be easily obtained at the local Prefecture of Police. It will require a person to be able to wait in line for hours to process and additional information which is not listed is often requested at the interview. That will lead to a return to that office and another day of waiting in line to process. Don't plan on doing anything else on the day you go.
Once the file is complete, a receipt will be issued. This receipt acts as a temporary card until the actual card is issued. They will not notify you or send you the card. You must go there and check whether it is done. As the receipt must be re-stamped at specific time intervals to remain valid, these are the logical times to do it.

What has attracted you to Marrakech?

Marrakech is an easy living city. There is beauty and ancient culture throughout. People are happy and friendly. Hospitality is their second nature. I suggest people move out of the heavy tourist areas if they choose to live here. The real Moroccan experience is not what is painted for the tourists, but it is not less amazing.

What are the local labor market's features?

Tourism and all the fields related to hospitality make up the dominate portion of the job market in Marrakech. Of course people are welcome to start their own businesses and it is not hard to get a license to do that. People wishing to be employed in Morocco should be fluent in French and even speak some Darija (local Arabic) or Berber. As for me, I am helping a friend with a start-up tourist transport agency.

Was it difficult to find accommodation there?

I was lucky to have friends in the city. I was guided by them to find good options in more alternate areas than most people would think. Marrakech is a tourist city. There are accommodations everywhere. I chose to get my own apartment as I was planning to stay for a while when I came.

What are the types of accommodation which are available there?

Short-term or long-term accommodation is easy to find. It really depends on your taste: luxury hotels, hostel, riads, and huge villas to small apartments.

How do you find the Moroccan lifestyle?

I love life in Morocco. Respect and family values are prevalent everywhere. People routinely live in multi-generational households. It is a refreshing step back into the more basic needs in life.

Have you been able to adapt yourself to the country and to its society?

My Moroccan family helped me adapt. While my husband is fluent in English, I am still struggling with learning the local language, but that is just laziness. Language schools and private tutors can be found easily. On the other hand, many Moroccans friends enjoy practicing their English with me. Many people speak a little bit of several languages. This is mainly because most people work in the tourism industry.

What does your everyday life look like in Marrakech?

Eat, sleep, and make merry! Marrakech is a party city. But that is if you have enough money so that you don't have to worry about basic things. For the most part, life is much like it is elsewhere. Get up, go to work, get back home for a family dinner, and paying bills... These fill most people's lives. Don't get me wrong. It is not easy for everyone as it is still deemed to be the third world.
Poverty is a way of life for many people. It can be seen in many forms here in Morocco. There are so many homeless families and beggars wandering in the streets right alongside the wealthy within posh sports cars and designer clothes. Even ordinary people who are blessed with employment are living on a standard that most people in America would consider a little more than slave wages. But, for an expat, life is not so hard.

What has surprised you the most at your arrival?

In the middle of people suffering from poverty over here, I can say that Moroccans are kind and happy. It is refreshing.

Any particular experience you would like to share with us?

Working in Morocco is an experience I think every American citizen should have. This has changed my attitude about American life and the pursuit of happiness. In America, we enjoy complaining about how hard we work. If the AC is off for a few hours in the office, it switches to complaining about the crappy conditions we work under. In reality, it is nothing compared to what is expected from the average of Moroccans struggling to make a living.
These people fight to be allowed to keep working. They endure grueling hours under truly terrible conditions. While Americans work modern offices or elegant boutiques, Moroccans will often be struggling to set up a shop outside on a street corner or at a table in open-air souks (open air garage/ shop) in either extreme heat or bitter cold. Maybe these people's time schedule is a bit lax, and some people's fingers can be sticky sometimes, but for the most part these Moroccan people will put most Americans to shame with their work ethic.

What is your opinion on the cost of living in Marrakech?

If you have a steady yet moderate income, life is easy. Most things are priced far more reasonably than in America. I am told it is also a great place to retire.

Is it easy for an expat to live there?

I believe it is easy to live in Morocco as an expat. I have not lived in other countries as an expat, but I have many friends who have and they think in a similar way.

How do you spend your leisure time?

I like to visit friends, eat out and draw pictures during my free time. I like playing the tourist whenever I have the opportunity and visiting places of interest. My husband usually reminds me that we live here and all the "Ali Baba" and the "Arabian Knight" pageantry is just a big fake tourist show. It is still fun.

Your favorite dishes?

I like Rafisa. It is my mother-in-law's specialty. It is a slow braised chicken dish served as a communal meal over a special type of shredded flat bread.

What about local eating habits?

Sharing a meal and finger food is the normal way of life. Although pork products can be found, I suggest to avoiding eating these in Morocco. This is an Islamic country and this kind of food doesn't rotate as quickly as they might elsewhere in the world.

What are the differences between life in Morocco and in the US?

People are more friendly in Morocco, the work ethic is better, the food is fantastic and fresh compared to prepackaged junk food. Unfortunately, health care in Morocco is quite expensive.

Do you miss your home country?

Having my own car tops the list of missed things. Having a car in Marrakech is not a necessity like it is in the USA, but having one would be nice.

Would like to give any advice to soon-to-be expatriates?

Have a job or a secured income before coming to Africa. Make friends with locals and speak often to fellow expats. A strong sense of community makes life in any place easier

What are your plans for the future?

Live, love and be happy. I may return to America at some point, but as the gates to the United States are not open to everyone: my husband and I have discovered getting a visa is not as easy as it seems. So for now, we will make life here in Morocco. We are happy and healthy. What else matters?