New members of the Cape Verde forum, introduce yourself here

Hi all,
i found this site some years ago, and have kind of watched it grow, so i thought it was about time a posted something, my wife and i moved to the island of boa vista in cape verde in august 2010,
and yes it was raining when we left!
Over the past 3 years or so we have made a life for ourselves and gained lots of good friends, as of this moment i believe there are around 10 other english expats living here permanently, so not so many!
It is a totally different way of living, inasmuch as the constant power cuts and the no stress attitude gets very little done, but hey, whats the hurry!!
Other than that it is relatively cheap to live here, apart from food which is very expensive, but fresh fish and good quality restuarants abound, so sometimes cheaper to eat out! but all in all we are so glad to be here, and we are now going for a cold one in the sun.
cheers

Bon Jour,

My name is Mike Costa. Are there any Cape Verdean organizations in France.

Mike

Bonjour

My name is MIke

Hi my name is chabby from Zambia and would like to move to Cape  Verde

Hi, my is ibechy from nigeria i want to relocate praia cape verde. Looking forward to make friends.

Vorrei trasferirmi a capo verde attualmente vivo a Roma e mi servirebbe sapere come ottenere la residenza la cittadinanza e l'asilo politico ....voglio trasferirmi definitivamente li ma non so quali documenti fare e come fare ad andare li senza il rischio di dover tornare in Italia....spero mi darete molte informazioni...
Grazie mille

ad maiora wrote:

Vorrei trasferirmi a capo verde attualmente vivo a Roma e mi servirebbe sapere come ottenere la residenza la cittadinanza e l'asilo politico ....voglio trasferirmi definitivamente li ma non so quali documenti fare e come fare ad andare li senza il rischio di dover tornare in Italia....spero mi darete molte informazioni...
Grazie mille

Hi and welcome to Expat.com

As this is an Anglohpone forum could you please post in English so that we can understand your post and perhaps offer information or advice. Thanks.

siamo due pensionati che vorrebbero andare a capoverde per rilassarsi un pò e vivere diversamente in un mondo diverso da quello nostro. Abbiamo pensato alle missioni francescane.

nicola orsatti wrote:

siamo due pensionati che vorrebbero andare a capoverde per rilassarsi un pò e vivere diversamente in un mondo diverso da quello nostro. Abbiamo pensato alle missioni francescane.

Welcome to the forum.
As this is an Anglophone forum could you please post in ENGLISH so that others can understand your post and perhaps offer information or advice. Thank you.

I want 2 come there and be working

You are welcome on board.
Feel free to ask what you would like to know, or the information that you are seeking.

Always everything you would want to know has already been discussed in this forum, just take your time and read the post very well.

Thanks

Hi Mike, I am also from L.A., living in Portugal, on my way to Cabo Verde. Just wanted to say Hello, I don't ever meet people from L.A.

Nancy Costa

Hi there, i will be visiting cape verde in decmber, 19th precisely for 7 days, i would like to meet someone who wouldnt mind showing me the country and the islands.

You are welcome to CV in advance.
Your holiday would be a memorable one, we r always here for u.

hi my name is Beade. i am a Nigerian i an thinking of comeing to cape verde by month ending i need some info

Hi Cleopatra,

I would be happy to provide you with helpful information prior to your visit and also while you are here. I can also introduce you to some female friends to connect with for a good, enjoyable time. However, note that it is impossible to see all of the islands in 7 days as the transportation options would not allow such a schedule. At most you will see two islands in that time, and even that might be quite a stretch if you are to make your return flight without risk of being left behind. Send feel free to send me a private message for more details.

Angelo

Hello, I am Malisa, I live in Cabo Verde for six years now and are available if anyone needs advice or other information on this country.
Those interested can take a look at my blog that deals exclusively with Cape Verde, but not advertising it for commercial purposes, it is simply a site where you can ask questions and find answers on Cape Verde:-)
- africaisole.wordpress.com/

Well iam still in Ghana and seeking for an opportunity to live and work in Cape Verde. I hold a Bachelors degree in Agribusiness Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana's Premier University of Science and Technology. Aside the BSC, I am also a part two holder of the Chartered Accountants Qualifying examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana. I am very confident that finding a career in Cape Verde would help me contribute to the success story they are already writing. I am ready to work in any sector of the economy but i have no relations or other connections there to assist me get there. I really need your help and i would be very grateful if you get lend me a helping hand. Thank you.

Hi, My name is Charlie.

I live in the Delfini Apartments on Praia de Cruz and have just opened a shop (Vogue) in the town.  I don't know really any other English that live here? Finding some things very difficult and stressful especially getting a visa for my Senegalese fiance who wishes to come with me to the UK on holiday to visit the family! Aaaaaaah!!!

Hi Anani,

You are certainly a very qualified person. However, there are two questions you must consider. First of all, there are few jobs in Cape Verde at this time. Note that the total population here is 1/2 million people so total number of jobs ar in the tens of thousands. Outside of tourism, we are in a recession. So question #1: why would someone of your caliber want to leave Ghana, one of the largest and fastest growing economies in West Africa, to come to tiny Cape Verde where there are few jobs and salaries are low? Why would you not look for opportunities in your own country...or migrate west to Europe or America? There are millions of jobs in Ghana and in the west that pay many times more than the salaries of Cape Verde. Question #2: do you even speak Portuguese? If not, you are NOT employable in Cape Verde. Portuguese is the official language and English is not spoken here except informally by a few!

Go west young man!

Angelo

ANANI COURAGE KWASI wrote:

Well iam still in Ghana and seeking for an opportunity to live and work in Cape Verde. I hold a Bachelors degree in Agribusiness Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana's Premier University of Science and Technology. Aside the BSC, I am also a part two holder of the Chartered Accountants Qualifying examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana. I am very confident that finding a career in Cape Verde would help me contribute to the success story they are already writing. I am ready to work in any sector of the economy but i have no relations or other connections there to assist me get there. I really need your help and i would be very grateful if you get lend me a helping hand. Thank you.

Hi All

I've just signed up to Expat.com as I am interested in living in Cape Verde.  I will be going there for a month to visit the Island and see how it goes!

I have the usual questions:

is is safe for a female alone
Typical example of the Cost of living
what Are the  rental properties - what area to choose the property in.

All suggestions and comments welcome please.

Thanks 

Hi there

I am looking to visit Sal Island in December for about a month and, if I like the island I am seeking to stay.  I would like to ask you for some help and tips please.  cost of living, getting about, I heard that English is not spoken but Spanish? The crime rate, safe at night walking back say from the town female alone?
Taxi's or local transport - cost and cleanliness
WC's and internet usage?
Do you get a hot shower in the morning and at night?
Mossie bites?
Is is safe on the beach?
Can you go topless on the beach?
What are the laws on drinking etc

Sorry its a lot of questions, appreciate your help.

Thanks

Debra

Hi there

I am seeking to go out to Cape Verde for a month in December.  Are you there for holiday or working  and where will you be staying as wondering if you wanted to meet up whilst there.  I am English from the UK.

Thanks

Hola, puedo responderte en español si entiendes, porqué yo no hablo inglès :-) Hazme saber ...

malisa48 wrote:

Hola, puedo responderte en español si entiendes, porqué yo no hablo inglès :-) Hazme saber ...

Please post in English.

If you click on the flag icon at the top right hand side of the page you can then select the language from the drop down box. Posts will then go to this section of the forum.

Plz house , I need ur help. Am a nigerian , and I stay in Lagos I will be travelling to Cape Verde in few days and I want to list the documents I will be going with. Hotel reservation, a guarantee letter ( although I don't know how genuine d letter is, but it was giving to me by an agent), my international passport ( although I have an Egyptian visa on it and  four other west african country's stamps, and I have a BTA of $900. My flight ticket is aslo all round ticket.I hope I wount be denied any entry . Thanks. Waiting for ur reply

Michal with intention to relocate top Cabo Verde from Poland.
Born 1966, enthusiast of advanced longevity and healthy and vegan lifestyle
Constructror welding tig and mig-mag, carpenter
Inventor, assembler pic processor programmer, eletronic devices constructor
Teacher of gym, relaxing and breathing techniques, nonviolent communication, touch and hugging according to The Continuum Concept, healthy nutrition specialist,
I bake my own wholegrain, sour dough bread, cook yammy veg food
Adversary of tribal community living in communities of highly conscious, mutually supporting people
Constructor of rocket stove based stoves
Enthusiast of living close to nature, sustainability, self-sufficiency, off-grid living, organic gardening

**

Please, feel invoted to contact me:

Michal

Hi,

I was reading this part of the forum for a few years. I like detailed experiences shared by different contributors (especially CVAngelo and alfredrobinson) regarding many practical questions/aspects of everyday life.

I recently became location independent (but decent/good internet connection dependent), and am considering Praia to relocate. Someone wrote it's in many ways between Africa and Europe, or Africa light.

Enjoy!

D

Hey D,

I've been here for 8+ years now. It's been quite an enjoyable and satisfying experience. But I have to tell you that my I came into it with reduced expectations. This is definitely Africa. So there are many frustrations like the painfully slow internet connections...it's so slow, I can't make good VOiP connections. But you find workable compromises. For example, why do I need such instantaneous speed? What's the hurry? A phone connection is not free but works fine if I need to have an uninterrupted conversation. And for the most part, I can stay in instant touch with friends and family via written messages on Viber and Messenger.

I do miss some things that I was used to or took for granted in America. Like I haven't had a Big Mac in years. But then again, I am forced to eat a healthier, tastier diet with more fruits and vegetables that haven't been treated with chemicals and pesticides. How can i complain? LOL. I used to race cars at the track. But I can't do that here...or maybe I should start an auto club and find a location for some autocross events. You get my drift?

I would strongly recommend Praia if you want access to a wider range of products and services. The other islands are just too quiet for me and lack certain things that can only be had in the capital. But the capital has more petty crime, especially theft, so you have to take more precautions for the protection of your property.

If you want greater exposure to foreigners and/or working with foreigners/tourists, you should try the island of Sal and the city of Santa Maria in particular. However, you'll find it more expensive there (compared to the other islands). But it's still much cheaper than US and Europe.

For income, I tried several things. But what works best is to offer services (I help people fill out visa applications for the US and Europe) and hard to find but necessary products (for example, I sell batteries for the mobile phones sold by the mobile phone operators because no one imports them). The income levels here are very low, so you have to work on the basis of small profits per product/service but do enough volume to make it worthwhile. Advertising is free (there are Facebook Groups that everyone uses to find products and services).

Feel free to pm me if you have specific questions.

Angelo

Hey Angelo, and thanks for the reply.

It helped me a lot reading your contributions here (and on other expat forums) as well as your two blogs (especially the one about investing in CV) and thus I found I want to try Praia (as you suggested after your Mindello experience).

I am not looking for income locally in CV yet if some opportunity arises, I am willing to check it.

My primary motivation for trying CV is to get some experience with slower, simpler and more relaxed life: I am originally from Dubrovnik, in the Southern Adriatic part of Croatia - and CV might be similar.

I am 42 now, so some experience is under my belt.

Enjoy!

D

Hi Everyone

I'm new to this forum, found it totally by accident as I was trying to research business opportunities on the Island.

We (me, my husband and 3 children) visited Sal a couple of years ago for a holiday and totally fell in love with the island.

We are now considering emigrating out of the UK, to a better climate and more relaxed way of life (we both have hectic, busy, stressful jobs in the UK).

I have far too many question to post them all here.....however would be interested in knowing what is required to open an adult learning centre.   I am a Training tutor in England and enjoy teaching new skills to people and wonder if this is something that would be of benefit to Cape Verdeans.   My specialities are Customer Service, Hospitality, Retail, Team Leading, Management and English & Maths.  While I appreciate that some of my specialities won't be relevant, others may be.  My next point is that I also realise that Cape Verdeans aren't wealthy, therefore is there any financial help for locals to gain new skills (obviously if I was to do this as a business, I would need to make a living from it as well).

This is a two year plan for us, as I have a child in High School, studying for his GCSE's, so would need let him complete those before the move (I strongly believe everyone should have a good education).  We would also need to learn Portuguese as well.

I would be really interested in your thoughts and feedback.

Look forward to reading your replies.

Kind regards

Michelle

Hi Shell,

I think you have a good business concept that is well matched to your skills...but it is in the wrong island. The total population of Sal is about 25,000 people and the ones who have any money all work at the hotels. They would likely have very little disposable income for adult learning opportunities.

Most of the professionals and businesses who have any interest at all in adult education are located on the island of Santiago where the capital is located. You would also be better off considering the island of São Vicente which has about 3 times the population of Sal and has more professionals.

In fact, the government itself has a department that promotes adult education and professional development. You should look into that. However, regardless of what courses or in which locations you would like to pursue such an idea, all such classes would have to be given in Portuguese as very few people speak English.

Another potential option is to seek work at one of the local Universities or other teaching/learning institutions. Again, any such instruction would have to be delivered in fluent Portuguese. And you would be looking at Santiago or São Vicente...not Sal.

Sal is a touristic island and most of the economic and business activity there is related to tourism. If your business is not catering to the tourism sector, then you really should not locate your business there as there would be almost no market for your services (the tourist population generally outnumbers the locals at all times).

I'm not trying to discourage you. Your skills and passion are commendable. I'm only pointing out the practical challenges you will have to address to have a successful means of living. As a natural English speaker looking for a less stressful, island life-style, I'd encourage you to explore other English-speaking island locations with greater populations that have much higher disposable income...like the Seychelles or the Caribbean.

Sounds like you have about 2 years to figure it out. Best of luck and let me know if there's anything else you'd like to know.

Regards,

Angelo

Thanks CVAngelo

Lots to think about.......... an excuse to visit more of the islands!    Happy days 

Holà
Feb/march 17 I will be coming back to CV (praia and perhaps Mindelo and Santo Antao) in order to get ideas, contacts etc. for moving to CV in winter 17/18 (will only stay on CV during the winter months oct.-april) and looking for small business oportunities. My 3 main points for that challenge: 1. Want to do someting new instead of just hanging around and earn part of my living in CV. 2. Working together with locals so that they can also earn something. 3. Helping a local charity project.
Preferred region (at the moment) Ribeira Grande de Santiago/Praia
Sort of business: experience in tourism, hotel/catering, differenct services, to be adopted according to the needs and possibilities (I have some first ideas to be examined on spot)

Hi everyone ! My name is Kay and I'm moving to Praia February 17. I spent 3 months there and learned a basis of Kriolu but still have alot to  learn and connections to make. I plan on teaching English to get started and then will later get into my field of study: real estate development. I would love to meet others who are curently in CV even ig you are on another island!

Hi Kay. Where are you moving from? When you get here, hit me up for a coffee on me. You can practice your krioulu with me. LOL

Hi Angelo. Thanks for the offer ! I am from Texas. My mother is Cape Verdean but never taught me Kriolu. I can understand alot but my dialogue is not very good. I'm working on my tefl certificate to give me some street credit to promote my independent group English sessions. Do you have any experience teaching English there ?

Kay, it would be fun to meet you when you get here. There are quite a few folks here in CV with a similar situation as yours. Raised by Cape Verde parents in the US but not really speaking kriolu. Then moving to/back to CV. I can introduce you to many such folks. Maybe you met some when you were here on vacation?

As far as teaching English, it's quite a competitive area with lots of many expats offering the service and not necessarily US expats. I even know some Russians who are here teaching English.

Angelo