Possible move to Mozambique

[roverandbrew]

I am possibly moving to Maputo, Mozambique this fall for a job and had a few questions for anyone with experience in the city / country.

1) Would you consider moving your family to Mozambique for a 12 month assignment (wife + 3 kids)? I am well aware of the issues in Cabo Del Gado but the south seems pretty doable.
2) Any idea on long term 4x4 rentals? After a bunch of google work I am not coming up with much in regards to the standard rental agencies focused on tourist. I am looking at a 4 door Land Cruiser.
3) Any recommendations on safe neighborhoods in Maputo?
4) I would like to bring one rifle for hunting but cannot find much information on a US passport holder in country long term and wanting a rifle for sporting purposes. I only see information focused on someone with a rifle of short duration for safari.

I appreciate the insight anyone might have. Thanks!

 

[Nkawu]

I lived in Maputo for 10 years and we really loved it. There is a great expat community, and lots to experience. It has been over a decade since we left, so I can’t help you much with your questions. I have heard that rifle licensing is extremely difficult in Moz. Took ages for me to get a license just for my air rifle. Be prepared for heat when you arrive in the Moz spring/summer. Good luck!

 

[Red Leg]

I am possibly moving to Maputo, Mozambique this fall for a job and had a few questions for anyone with experience in the city / country.

1) Would you consider moving your family to Mozambique for a 12 month assignment (wife + 3 kids)? I am well aware of the issues in Cabo Del Gado but the south seems pretty doable.
2) Any idea on long term 4x4 rentals? After a bunch of google work I am not coming up with much in regards to the standard rental agencies focused on tourist. I am looking at a 4 door Land Cruiser.
3) Any recommendations on safe neighborhoods in Maputo?
4) I would like to bring one rifle for hunting but cannot find much information on a US passport holder in country long term and wanting a rifle for sporting purposes. I only see information focused on someone with a rifle of short duration for safari.

I appreciate the insight anyone might have. Thanks!

Were it me, I would contact someone (an American - not the local hire phone person) on the phone at the American embassy in Maputo and ask them about accompanied life there. Having spent a lot of time banging around the Third World, I can testify that accompanied and unaccompanied can make a huge difference in decisions. In fact, I would suggest the Defense Attache Office as a POC. They will be less burdened with the "official line" response to your questions. Tell them this was suggested to you by a former Army Attache'.

I too have been to Mozambique, and would simply say the difference between an adventure and misery is a very narrow one. You need as much insight as possible into what you would be introducing a family. Age of your children is a huge driver in such decisions.

 

[Gemsbok45]

I love Africa that’s why I’m a frequent visitor on this sight.Here comes the but.There is a lot smoldering beneath the outer layer of society there.You have Muslim extremists in the north and old Frelimo and Ranamo grudges just don’t ever seem to be forgiven.I would go by myself and if your gut tells you,you feel good about your family coming ,then go for it.A fishing holiday on a Mozambique beach is incredible. I would not bring my family over there!

 

[roverandbrew]

Were it me, I would contact someone (an American - not the local hire phone person) on the phone at the American embassy in Maputo and ask them about accompanied life there. Having spent a lot of time banging around the Third World, I can testify that accompanied and unaccompanied can make a huge difference in decisions. In fact, I would suggest the Defense Attache Office as a POC. They will be less burdened with the "official line" response to your questions. Tell them this was suggested to you by a former Army Attache'.

I too have been to Mozambique, and would simply say the difference between an adventure and misery is a very narrow one. You need as much insight as possible into what you would be introducing a family. Age of your children is a huge driver in such decisions.

I am reaching out to the DAO and some friends at SOCAF this week. Like you I have spent about nine month a year deployed for something or another the last 25 years. I appreciate your thoughts on this.

 

[roverandbrew]

I love Africa that’s why I’m a frequent visitor on this sight.Here comes the but.There is a lot smoldering beneath the outer layer of society there.You have Muslim extremists in the north and old Frelimo and Ranamo grudges just don’t ever seem to be forgiven.I would go by myself and if your gut tells you,you feel good about your family coming ,then go for it.A fishing holiday on a Mozambique beach is incredible. I would not bring my family over there!

Definitely tracking the threat. It’s why I’m going there. I’m going to be a geo bachelor for a couple months so I will do some assessing then. Glad to hear about the fishing!

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@roverandbrew , I have never been to Moz, but I have worked family status in a couple of "hardship locations." I work for a major oil company and they take pretty good care of their expat employees and families. For the employee, work is work. Whether I was working in Houston or Lagos, it was pretty much the same. For the wife and kids, it is a much larger and difficult adjustment. If the wife isn't happy, then nobody is happy. I did a 3-1/2 year assignment to Port of Spain, Trinidad when my kids were quite young, ages 1 to 8. There was a good International school and things like medical, shopping, etc were acceptable. The big sales point to the wives is they usually can hire a nanny and/or housekeeper for an attractive rate. We lived in an upscale neighborhood and all homes were sort of walled compounds. When we were looking at homes to lease (by the company), a security guy from our office had to okay the location. The house we liked had too low of a wall along the backyard, so he said the owner would be required to add some razor wire on top of the wall. I commented to my wife that it's the little things that help make a house a home. The company provided round the clock security guards. We never had any incident in the 3-1/2 years and it was a great experience. Both my wife and I drove in Trinidad, even though the steering wheel was on the right side and there were lots of round-abouts.

During my 6 year assignment in Lagos, Nigeria, my kids were in college , so we were sort of empty nesters most of the time. When the kids did come for a summer break or Christmas time, we usually would meet in South Africa and do a photo safari. We lived in a company complex that had about 130 homes, plus all our offices, etc. I walked to work and walked home for lunch, it was great! It was a very secure place, sort of the cross between a Florida timeshare complex, military base and minimum security prison. All the wives had fun and games all the time and stayed very active. It was a place where everyone got to know everyone and we had employees from all over the world. It was a great experience too and the reason our 3-4 year assignment lasted for 6 years. I had a company assigned Toyota Prada and a driver. The wives really liked getting chauffeured around. We never had any sort of negative incident, but travelling through Lagos airport was a painful experience every time.

If your kids are junior high or high school age, I would say this is the most difficult age group for expat assignments. International schools usually aren't too big, one class per grade is common. Not a real big gene pool. Kids at that age are more involved in sports and wanting to learn how to drive, etc.

Hope this helps.