Interview with Sandy B - a first expat in Libya

I am an IT professional and this is my first time as an expat. I am enjoying the experience out here so far, although am very happy to be going home on leave today, first time in 5 months, and only my second break in 9 months.

Read more about Libya in the Expat Arrivals guide to Libya or read more expat experiences in Libya.
 
About you

Q: Where are you originally from?
A: Scotland

Q: Where are you living now?
A:  Tripoli, Dahra, City center

Q: How long you have you lived in Libya?
A:  9 months

Q: Did you move with a spouse/ children?
A:  Yes

Q: Why did you move; what do you do?
A:  Moved for work, IT for the Oil and Gas sector

About Tripoli

Q: What do you enjoy most about Tripoli, how’s the quality of life?
A:  The weather and the people, very good quality of life

Q: Any negatives? What do you miss most about home?
A:  Bars and decent eateries

Q: Is Tripoli safe?
A:  Relatively, bag snatching and burglaries aside.

About living in Libya

Q: Which are the best places/suburbs to live in Tripoli as an expat?
A:  Janzour, best value for money.

Q: How do you rate the standard of accommodation?
A:  Mine is good, but for my colleagues in Regatta it is not so good.

Q: What’s the cost of living compared to home? What is cheap or expensive in particular?
A:  Petrol and bread very cheap, the rest just slightly cheaper than the UK, but the quality of fresh produce here is much better.

Q: What are the locals like; do you mix mainly with other expats?
A:  Locals to me as a man are great, I socialise with both expats and locals.

Q: Was it easy meeting people and making friends?
A:  Very easy.

About working in Libya

Q: Did you have a problem getting a work visa/permit?
A:  Took a long time but my company did it for me.

Q: What’s the economic climate like in Tripoli, is there plenty of work?
A:  Difficult to judge, lots of illegal immigrants who are unemployed.

Q: How does the work culture differ from home?
A:  Much slower paced.

Q: Did a relocation company help you with your move?
A:  No.

Family and children

Q: Did your spouse or partner have problems adjusting to their new home?
A:  Not at all, she adjusted easier than I did.

Q: How would you rate the healthcare?
A:  Not great, any major illness and you are going to have to go back home to get it dealt with, even a broken bone.

And finally…

Q: Is there any other advice you like to offer new expat arrivals?
A:  Have patience out here, nothing happens quickly, apart from the driving.

Are you an expat living in Libya? We'd love to hear your story. Open the questionnaire here, copy into an email and send it back to info@expatarrivals.com