Pros and Cons of Moving to Malawi

As a relatively small country that doesn't appear in the news often, Malawi presents expats with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. The country has a fairly significant expat population, a large portion of which relocate with the intention of only staying in Malawi for a couple of years, but often end up extending their stay.

As in any country, life in Malawi has its ups and downs. To help expats get a clearer idea of life in the 'Warm Heart of Africa', we've listed some pros and cons of moving to Malawi below.

---

Accommodation in Malawi

+ PRO: Housing in Malawi is affordable

Expats moving to Malawi from more developed countries will find accommodation to be well priced. Expats are often able to settle in spacious houses with large gardens, the cost of which usually equals that of a small apartment in a European city.

- CON: Rental agreements in Malawi may be unfamiliar

When renting a property in Malawi, expats must be sure that they understand the rental agreement before signing. Landlords may ask for three months worth of rent as a deposit, and expats should therefore budget accordingly. Indeed, initial costs may be surprisingly high, as the substantial deposit and the first month's rent are typically required upfront. 

---

Cost of living in Malawi

+ PRO: Low cost of living in Malawi

The cost of living is reasonable in Malawi. The price of rent, groceries and eating out is low, as is hiring a domestic worker. In fact, most expats will have someone who helps clean and cook, as well as someone who provides gardening services.

- CON: Many products aren't available

Many products, brands, shops and restaurants that expats may be used to back home are considered luxuries in Malawi. This includes clothing, sports equipment, toiletries and cosmetic products. Other than locally produced food, many products are imported, which means that they are expensive. Expats will have to plan and pack effectively when travelling into the country, particularly when it comes to electronics.

---

Lifestyle and culture in Malawi

+ PRO: Friendly people

It's certainly no accident that Malawi is known as the 'Warm Heart of Africa': the country is famous for its friendly people and warm culture. Malawians are compassionate and helpful, which means expats are greeted with the biggest smiles and can make connections and build friendships quite easily.

- CON: Slow pace of life

If expats are used to a fast-paced life, then Malawi will take some getting used to. Even if expats are normally relaxed, they'll still notice that things rarely happen on time in Malawi. This is the case with formal business meetings, social events, or even for arrangements for a plumber or electrician to resolve a household problem. This is often a cause of frustration for expats.

- CON: Electricity and water supplies are problematic

Along with the slow pace of life, expats will have to adjust their lifestyle to the many power cuts and water shortages that occur in Malawi. Expats will have to get used to using inverters to power essentials at home, while workplaces would often have generators. Some houses have boreholes to circumvent the dwindling water supply.

---

Healthcare in Malawi

+ PRO: Skilled healthcare practitioners

There are many skilled expat and local doctors who provide high-quality healthcare in a few of the country's hospitals. 

+ PRO: Good supply of medication

Pharmacies in Malawi are decent, and most medications are available. If something isn't readily available, it can usually be ordered.

- CON: Access and availability of hospitals

Outside the major cities, the number of doctors is low and access to hospitals is limited. We'd also recommend expats consider health insurance that covers emergency evacuation to South Africa, or elsewhere, in the case that practitioners in Malawi can't provide the level of treatment needed.

- CON: Diseases like malaria are a big concern

Health coverage is important as there are high rates of disease in Malawi, especially malaria. Expats will need to take the necessary precautions to avoid malaria, such as the use of prophylactics, mosquito repellents and nets.

---

Safety in Malawi

+ PRO: Malawi is peaceful

Malawi is generally rather peaceful. That said, poverty is high and crime is therefore a reality. Crime is most often opportunistic, and many expats opt to have guards stationed outside their properties, which is usually enough of a deterrent for break-ins.

- CON: Political tension

Despite the normal tranquil laid back lifestyle, Malawi faces political tension, especially around election time, and protests have been known to turn violent. Expats will need to be cautious during these times and stay in touch with the community in their city to stay updated.

---

Education in Malawi

+ PRO: Excellent international schools

Malawi has a small selection of excellent international schools located in Lilongwe and Blantyre, which provide high-quality education. Teachers at these schools are often a mix of Malawians and expats, and both the International Baccalaureate (IB) and IGCSE/A-Level curricula are available.

- CON: High fees for international schools

International schools come with international fees, which are often charged in US dollars. Malawi’s currency fluctuates frequently, and fees can change dramatically from term to term. Expats getting paid in kwacha will feel the heavy cost of international education.

---

Getting around in Malawi

+ PRO: Cars give great freedom to travel

Cars are the most common form of transport among expats, as they provide the most independence and freedom to travel. There is so much to see in Malawi, from city life to the lake and beautiful national parks, and a car is therefore vital.

- CON: Poor road networks

Despite recent work to improve the country's road system, the roads are narrow, and any existing potholes are not sign-posted. Roads in rural areas also may not be tarred, and expats are encouraged to drive 4x4s rather than sedans. Driving at night in rural areas is also not advised, due to the prevalence of people and animals on the road.