Living in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

What is it like to live in Adís Abeba? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Living in Addis Ababa is a marvellous experience. It is a vibrant city with 13 months of sunshine. Its stunning scenery and vibrant culture make Addis Ababa an amazing great place for expats to live.

Most NGOs and diplomatic communities are based in Addis Ababa making it one of the safest cities in Africa. However, it is advisable to be vigilant at all times.

Addis Ababa is fast a growing city making everything easily accessible. It can be admitted that the cost of living is quite high due to inflation. The major neighborhoods in Addis are becoming quite populated due to the high number of people migrating from the countryside looking for employment.

There are so many historical places to visit (Merkato Market, Entoto Park, Unity Park, National Museum of Ethiopia, Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral etc... ) Other top touristic attractions in Ethiopia are only a few minutes flight from Addis. These incredible places to visit can be from 2 to 10 hours driving depending on the desired destination to visit.

What is the student lifestyle like in Adís Abeba?

Student lifestyle in Addis Ababa revolves around discovering the culture by visiting attractions, discovering the culture and cuisine by going to different unique traditional restaurants, socializing and networking with the most friendly and welcoming people.

Students also enjoy the different western restaurants, fast foods, cinemas, gyms and spas that are up to standard. The amazing nightlife cannot be left unmentioned.

How much does it cost to live in Adís Abeba?

It all depends on the neighborhood that you choose to live in. The city center could be quite expensive compared to other neighborhoods. Housing costs can vary from 400USD to 1000USD. In general, the cost to live in Addis, especially for expats is reasonable.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Adís Abeba? Is there any advice you can give?

It could be a bit difficult to find accommodation in Addis Ababa, not because of the lack of housing but lack of communication. However, there are websites and professional agents that can make this easier for students by assisting and providing guidance, for instance, www.abyssiniaempire.com.

I would also advise checking the vacant accommodation of expats.com as well as internations.org. It is also good to check on Facebook regarding available houses/apartments.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Ethiopian cuisine is vast as every region has its own specific cuisine. They can all be found in Addis. Injera (sourdough flatbread) is the common food in every region and is served with different sauces of your choice. Some dishes may be spicy but the food, in general, is delicious and a must to try. It is loved by most and preferred by vegetarians.

Shiro is my favorite food. It is a vegetarian dish and gluten-free. It's basically a stew made from ground dried chickpeas and various spices served with Injera. Very delicious!

What places would you recommend visiting in Adís Abeba?

Merkato (largest open market in Africa), Entoto Park, Unity Park, National Museum of Ethiopia, Red Terror Martyrs Memorial Museum, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Washa Michael Church, Fendika Cultural Center and Yod Abyssinia Traditional restaurant.

Is it good to eat out in Adís Abeba? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

It is good and very safe to eat out in Addis Ababa. Some places to recommend would be: Sishu Grub On for burger lovers; Kategna, Yod Abyssinia and Dashen for traditional food; Gusto, Abucci, La Mandoline, Castelli, Five Loaves and MKs for Western varieties; Effoi, MKs and Antica for the best pizza in Addis.

Is the nightlife good in Adís Abeba? Where is it good to go?

The nightlife is vibrant in Addis. I highly recommend Republic Club, Black Peal Lounge and Midtown Club among the numerous fabulous night places. Black Rose is astonishing and chilled for an early night. Fendika Cultural Center is a place that cannot be missed with its diverse cultural performances and amazing vibe.

What advice would you give future students heading to Adís Abeba?

I would advise students travelling to Addis Ababa to be extra vigilant of pickpockets and to take extra precautions when moving around especially at night time. It is important to use safe transportation methods such as legally registered companies (ride taxi) which are safer and cheaper.

Students should also find and guarantee accommodation in a safe neighborhood prior to their arrival.

It is advisable to have some amount of cash in hand for at least the first few days. The banking system and access to ATMs are at times inaccessible due to several reasons but do not last for long. So it is better to be on the safe side. The Ethiopian Law only allows a certain amount of foreign currency to be brought in while entering the country.

It is also good to read and have an idea about the Ethiopian Customs, Currency & Airport Tax regulations details prior to their travel.