Relocating to Dar

Hello ssp_tz and welcome to the forum!

Hope that you'll soon be enlightened.

Harmonie.

Hello SSP_TZ,

As a long term expatriate in Tanzania, I would recommend buying your furniture and stuff locally. The downside of this is it might take you longer to feel settled because it will take some time to find the style/quality/price that you want, but using a mix of buying from other expats who are leaving, ordering custom-made through a carpenter, and/or buying ready-made through any of the many furniture shops you will find furniture and stuff readily available.

I have also brought in my own things and yes, I have paid customs/duties. Many people use Worldwide Movers with success although I have not tried them myself.

Regarding schools, there are many good pre-school options for up to age 6. Bushbabies, for example, is an excellent play-oriented environment. Just do your homework to make sure the school is aligned with your preferred philosophy (play-based vs. academic-orientation).

After age 6, IST is the preferred international school due to the quality of the teachers, facilities and experience with the IB. However, IST traditionally has waitlists for admission in the younger grades (they begin admitting from age 3 and many people enroll their children from age 3 because the programme is good and then they are assured space once the child enters Grade 1).

Other IB schools that are in the beginning stages of becoming PYP certified (I believe) include the Aga Khan Primary and Dar es Salaam International Academy.

Hope that helps,
Karibuni (welcome) to you and your family

Thanks Harmonie and mfukomama. I appreciate your input mfukomama. I will definitely consider getting locally sourced furniture as opposed to bringing my stuff in. Regarding the schools the two you mentioned, IST and Aga Khan, are my top two. I am leaning towards IST because of the same reasons as you mentioned. I will try and get more information from them. If anyone else has any additional information to share I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again,

ssp_tz

Hello,
welcome to Tanzania, I hope you will enjoy being here. I would like to add some alternative schools that you may look upon, these are The 'international school of moshi' [ISM], Braeburn and St. Constantine's international school, though some have headquarters in Arusha, and Kilimanjaro regions, but I have heard of their branches in  Dar.
I think it would be economical to buy simple locally made furnitures herein Tanzania so as to avoid unnecessary costs and inconveniences that may be associated with transferring your furnitures. 
All the best!