As you probably know from some of my previous posts, I lived in Agadir for 10 months. Not only I learned a lot about the culture and the way of life in Morocco, but I also broadened my horizons and learned a lot about myself.
Have you been thinking about moving to Morocco? Are you ready to take the plunge and settle in this diverse country?
Here I’ll share some useful information with you to help you prepare better for life in Morocco.
Is Morocco a Safe Country?
Many people avoid Morocco because they are concerned about safety in the country. Having lived there for almost one year, I think it’s safe to say that Morocco is one of the safest African countries.
However, if you a woman you should follow your common sense and avoid walking the streets alone at night.
If you were told that you must cover your head and body in order to avoid unwanted male attention, that’s not true at all. Not all Moroccan women are covered, and many of them dress like Western women, so why should you? In general, you shouldn’t wear anything too short or expose your body too much, but some casual clothing is completely fine.
The Pace of Life
The pace of life in Morocco is so different than in any Western country. You’ll learn to be patient, live at the moment and enjoy doing nothing. You’ll have plenty of time for yourself and appreciate every moment in your life.
However, it can sometimes get complicated, especially if you need things to be done now because that’s not likely to happen. But there’s nothing to worry about. You just need a little bit of patience.
Making Friends
Making friends in Morocco is quite easy. Moroccans are traditional, polite, very friendly and warm people, who are curious about other cultures. Moreover, they are very hospitable, so you shouldn’t be surprised if they invite you to their home, different events and celebrations. My Moroccan friends made me feel like at home. They helped me adapt to their culture and see the real Morocco.
Cost of Life
Life in Morocco can be cheap as well as expensive, depending on your own lifestyle. Lunch or dinner in an international restaurant cost between MAD200 (or $20 ) and MAD350 (or $36) per person, while in some local restaurants it’s between MAD70 ($7) and MAD150 ($15).
Fruits and vegetables are very cheap as well as some other local products. However, if you crave for some Western products, you’ll spend much more money.
Not only some Western food is expensive in Morocco, but also alcohol. And, it’s very expensive. It can be found only in bars and restaurants in tourist areas, so a local beer can cost you between MAD50 ($5) and MAD60 ($6), and even much more in nightclubs.
Moroccan Cuisine
Morocco produces enough fruits and vegetables to feed its people. The most important native products used in cooking are figs, dates, almonds, olives, prunes, potatoes and tomatoes. Beef, lamb and chicken meat can also be found in many dishes. The main Moroccan dishes are couscous, tagine- lamb or beef with prunes and harira soup. Moroccan diet also includes a lot of sweets made from almonds, honey, and other ingredients.
While I wasn’t so crazy about the main Moroccan dishes, I really loved Moroccan breakfast, which is varied and simply amazing. From Moroccan omelet with veggies and cheese, olives, Harsha (fried flatbreads made from semolina), goat cheese, honey, amlou (a mixture made of olive oil, honey and almond) to Beghrir (pancakes made from semolina), Moroccan breakfast has everything you need to start a new day. It’s served with fresh orange juice and coffee or mint tea.
Healthcare System
When moving to Morocco, one of the most important things every expat has to take care of is health insurance. The country has public and private healthcare systems. The first one is not recommendable at all, and it’s associated with decreased quality of care. The second one is better but can’t be compared to healthcare systems in Western countries.
Therefore, the best option is to purchase international health insurance.
Internet Access and Prepaid Sim Card
There are many Internet service providers in Morocco and some of the leaders are Maroc Telecom, Inwi and Orange. It’s difficult to say which one is the best since all of them have some issues sometimes.
I chose Maroc Telecom just because it has the best coverage in the country and the biggest market share. But, it wasn’t satisfying. On some days the speed was good, and on some days too slow.
Another thing that you need and which will make your life in Morocco easier is a SIM card. I had Orange and Maroc Telecom prepaid sim cards, and I personally preferred Maroc Telecom because it has the best coverage and a very good offer. You can buy a prepaid sim card in one of many Maroc Telecom stores and recharge it there or in a kiosk or a grocery store.
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