American/Taiwanese expats living in Casablanca 2016 - Our Report

Hello

So you're thinking about coming to Morocco or are here already?  Here is my take so far as an American man with my Taiwanese wife and our little baby.

PROS:

+ the weather is great.  Everyday is a beautiful day so far (here for 3 months) and it hardly rains. 

+ the people are welcome.  The people are amazing.  Seriously.  Moroccans are super friendly and very inviting.  You do feel like you're part of the community.

+ the atmosphere is relaxed.  My job and everything is more laid back than the US or Taiwan.  I like it.

+ food is cheap. If you're cooking/eating at home, it can be very cheap.

+ the country is beautiful.  There's everything here - from beautiful mosques, to deserts to mountains...just beautiful

CONS:

- the pollution is staggering.  We are in Casablanca and it's pollution everywhere.  That's a pity

- not much for little kids.  We have a baby and would love to go on play dates, or walk around parks, etc...but they're out of the way and few and far between

- you need to speak French or Darija.  If you don't speak French you are out of luck...period.  Very few people speak English, and some even don't speak French.  If you speak the local Darija then you're okay. 

- Having a Western lifestyle is as expensive as back home.  If you're living like you did back home your money will leave you quickly. 

- Things take time.  Administration/government bureaucracy takes forever.  It's a mess.  Just a mess.

- you need a car.  If you're getting a job in Morocco make sure you have a car.  You'll need it.

Any questions in particular?  Just ask below