Living in Comoros

The Comoros is an archipelago nation off the coast of East Africa, northwest of Madagascar. With its tropical climate, turquoise waters and unique Arab-African culture, the Comoros offers an under-the-radar island lifestyle. This guide covers everything you need to know about living in the Comoros – from reasons to move there, pros and cons, costs, quality of life, culture and best places to live.

Why Move to the Comoros?

The Comoros provides some compelling reasons to consider moving there:

• Idyllic island life with beautiful beaches, reef diving, sailing, and laidback coastal communities.
• Affordable cost of living and tropical, beachy lifestyle compared to most islands. Housing and food are cheap.
• Fascinating blend of African, Arab and French influences shaping culture, food and traditions.
• Lack of mass tourism development helps keep things authentic. An untouched tropical paradise.
• Residency is relatively easy to obtain compared to other island nations.
• Warm, welcoming people with family-focused values much like the Hawaiian concept of ‘ohana.
• Political stability ever since independence from France. No major internal conflicts.
• Comoros citizenship provides opportunities to potentially qualify for French or EU residence by ancestry.
• Nature and marine life, including the world’s largest bats, whale sharks, and migrating humpbacks.

Living in the Comoros: Pros and Cons

While the Comoros has plenty of allure, there are also some challenges:

Pros :

1. Idyllic tropical island life
2. Lower cost of living
3. Laidback beach lifestyle
4. Fascinating Arab-African culture
5. Lack of mass tourism
6. Tight-knit communities
7. Easy to obtain residency
8. Political stability
9. Gateway to obtain French residency

Cons :

1. Isolation and lack of amenities
2. Unreliable infrastructure with power and water cuts
3. Limited healthcare facilities
4. High import costs for foreign goods
5. Unstable currency prone to inflation
6. Visa required for extended stays
7. French or Arabic needed for residency
8. High unemployment rates
9. Unpredictable weather and risk of cyclones

The Comoros appeals most to those craving an authentic island experience without tourists. But amenities are still developing.

The Cost of Living in the Comoros

The Comoros has an overall low cost of living, especially for housing and basics:

Housing

• Small apartments can be rented for as little as $200 per month outside Moroni.
• Even in the capital, rents average $500 for modern units.

Food

• Local produce is cheap at markets. Imported goods cost more.
• Groceries average $200-300 per month for two people.
• Eating out costs just a few dollars per meal.

Utilities

• Electricity, water, garbage collection, and internet averages around $150 per month total.
• Supply can be inconsistent.

Gasoline

• Fuel is reasonable at around $1 per liter on average.
• Roads outside cities may require 4×4.

Healthcare

• Public healthcare is limited but very affordable.
• Many expats use private clinics that average $20-50 per visit.

Education

• Local schools instruction is in French.
• Private options with English exist in cities starting around $1,000 per year.

Activities

• Things like eating out at cafes, going to the beach, taking public transit cost only a few dollars each time.

Taxes

• The Comoros has a flat corporate tax of 25%.
• Top income tax rate is 25% as well. VAT is at 10%.

Quality of Life in the Comoros

The idyllic island lifestyle in the Comoros comes with some tradeoffs in development:

1. Cost of Living – Very affordable, especially housing. But lack of goods and amenities compared to developed nations.
2. Infrastructure – Modernization is slowly improving ports, airports and roads. But power and water supply is unreliable.
3. Environment – Lack of mass tourism helps preserve beauty and marine ecosystems. Though climate change poses risks.
4. Healthcare – Limited healthcare requiring either affordable local care or insurance for emergencies. Preventative medicine is not the norm.
5. Safety & Security – Low violent crime makes Comoros relatively safe. But small isolated incidents, including at seas, may occur.
6. Economy & Employment – Agriculture drives economy. Youth unemployment remains high. Prospects may be limited outside Moroni.
7. Leisure & Culture – Slower pace of life prioritizes community, family time and enjoyment of beaches, boating and nature.

A Beginner’s Guide to Comorian Culture

Comorian culture mixes various influences into a unique Indian Ocean identity:

• Ethnically diverse with blend of African, Arab and Malagasy roots. Islam is the dominant religion practiced by 98%.
• Comorian and French are the official languages, but Arabic and various dialects are still spoken, especially on outlying islands.
• Greetings are an art form, drawn out with many pleasantries before getting to the point. Handshakes are common.
• Food incorporates rice, fish curries, tropical fruit, vanilla, coconut and spices like cumin. Grilled meat or seafood are popular.
• Traditional music features intricate rhythms on drums like the ngoma and string instruments like the gabusi.
• Colorful dresses for women and embroidered caps for men feature geometric Indian Ocean designs. Friday mosque wears white robes.
• Most Comorians follow Sunni Islam customs andGender roles are still traditional with large families and polygamy.
• Society is built on oral traditions, stories, poetry and proverbs. Crafts use natural materials like wood and sea shells.

Best Places to Live in the Comoros

Popular island options include:

1. Grande Comore – The largest island with the capital Moroni and international airport. More developed.
2. Anjouan – Rugged and remote with rainforests, plantations and small villages. Quieter lifestyle.
3. Moheli – Smallest island with idyllic coastline, marine park, and Mt. Karthala volcano.
4. Mayotte – Though disputed with France, Mayotte offers the best infrastructure as an overseas French department.

Each island has a distinct character, but all provide that authentic Comorian coastal lifestyle and culture only just being discovered by adventurous newcomers willing to trade amenities for natural beauty and community.