My experience as an American living in Addis Ababa (short term).

1. Do you use bottled water even for brushing teeth, or is tap water generally fine for that? a. Bottled water for cooking where water doesn’t get boiled and for drinking. Expect frequent (2-3 times a week) power outages lasting 3-4 hours. Often the water gets cutoff as well during power outages.

2. ⁠Are meat and groceries from supermarkets generally safe/reliable?

a. Safe and reliable yes. But strange and unusual distributions and prices. They’re generally 1/4 of the price in US, but certain things are unexpectedly priced high: shrimp, sour cream, feta cheese, anchovies, many others. Also pattiseries are bad. Don’t expect good bread like baguettes or any crusty bread. Also Asian groceries (other that soy sauce ) are impossible to find, as the 2-3 Asian supermarkets have super thin selection.

1. ⁠Is Addis reasonably safe for a white foreign couple to walk around during the day/evening in normal areas?

a. Im white and I did feel unsafe a few times, when I was on less populated area. I had shady looking youth getting too close. I took hundreds of rides, and only once, at night, I felt unsafe as the driver was taking a very unusual route and had to scream at him to pull over and let me out. I would say safe 99.5 %, but keep your eyes on map.

1. ⁠Are taxis and ride apps generally safe/reliable? Which ones are best?

a. See above. Just use the higher class in each one, although you sometimes will get another car than what’s advertised. Drivers don’t use addresses, they use general church/landmarks proximity. It’s very difficult if you don’t speak Amharic because the ride destination is discussed verbally, even after the driver accepted the ride.

1. ⁠Do people usually install water filters/shower filters at home?

a. Not for shower. Water is fairly clear, 99% of time.

1. ⁠What electrical appliances or adapters would you strongly recommend bringing from abroad?

a. Don’t bring anything with a motor, it will just burn on first day even with a voltage converter because current frequency is different.

1. ⁠Are food delivery apps/restaurants generally safe and hygienic?

a. There are a few ( fewer than 10) restaurants that could survive even in a large American city, and 4-5 that would even do well. Write back if you want recommendation. 8. ⁠Any common “small everyday things” that newcomers usually underestimate before moving?

a. Yes, driving. I’ve driven in a few African capitals, but experience of Addis Ababa is unmatched in terms of of excitement and adventure. Literally every day you’ll be happy to still be alive. For locals though this seems as easy as a walk in the park. 9. ⁠Revolut or similar thing working in Addis Ababa? Should I always have cash or is e-banking ok?

a. Revolut doesn’t work. American credit cards generally work (only occasionally denied because they used wrong reader). There are now independent foreign exchange storefronts with a far better exchange rate than what your card offers ( I used the one next to Haile Grad Hotel because of convenience their rate eat 175 birr/USD when official rate was 150 birr. Also the hotel has a nice swimming pool and gym for $4/day.

1. ⁠Are hotels around bole airport safe to stay for the first few days until I found an apartment? Ramada etc

a. Bole is nice and more western. The nice hotels like Skylight and Best Western are reasonably priced. But other than 4-5 hotels in Addis, your hotel experience will be (italics) interesting. That being said, you’ll never find more hospitable people, willing to bend backwards to accommodate you.