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# Honiara relocation with kids Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Solomon Islands
hugo_123 12:30 UTC 16 Sep 2010 | Hi there, I am considering moving to Honiara with my family (two kids at 1,5 yrs and 4 yrs respectively). Would be on an international contract with good benefits. Just wondering if Honiara is ok for families, i.e. is there access to health (pediatric) care, international school and child friendly activities? What is housing like? I understand that it can be expensive, but keeping cost out of the equation will I be able to find good accommodation? I am currently with my family in West Africa, so used to living in a developing country. Also, what is security like? From reports of Western foreign ministries it looks a bit shaky, but these always tend to paint very negative pictures. Would be good to hear from other expats who live there. Thanks! |
ozziegiraffe 11:29 UTC 17 Sep 2010 | Certainly the Australian foreign affairs reports are overly cautious. I have lived in Solomon Islands for 4 years in the early 90s. and a ear in 2004, and visit regularly - most recently a month last Christmas. I also travel widely around the country, mostly with locals. There is a good international school, which teaches pre-school to year 6, and may have introduced secondary programs by now. The number of expats with families in town has increased markedly in the last 6 years. There are also a number of other good pre-school programs where your children could get to know local children. (Quite a few local children also attend the International school.) My major concern for children would be malaria, but as you are living in Africa, you are probably very aware of this. I understand the incidence of malaria has decreased considerably since the mid-90s. There is a reasonably good hospital in Honiara, and some very good local doctors and dentists. You are also only 3 hours by daily commercial flight from Brisbane, Australia, in case of emergencies that require treatment not available locally. There has been an increase in building houses for rental to expats since the regional assistance mission arrived. Rents are not low. You will find the average "expat-style" house has 3 bedrooms, living room, bathroom, kitchen and verandah, and possibly a room for a "housegirl". Some have fences, and many employ a "security" - a local man who guards the premises at night. There is some theft targetting expat houses. However, the safety and security situation is quite good - I feel as safe there as in my regional Australian home town, and take pretty much the same precautions. I livedd with a local family last time I was there and had no security problems whatsoever. Please feel free to contct me with any other questions. | 1
hugo_123 12:50 UTC 17 Sep 2010 | Thanks! This is very helpful. I shall contact you again if I have more questions. Regards. | 2
oliverneige 15:31 UTC 16 Mar 2011 | Hi Hugo, Certainely you are living now in Honiara with your family. So it is now my turn to ask you how life is there. I am also planing to move to the Solomon Islands for my work with my partner and my 16 months old daughter. My partner is from the Philippines and I have been travelling and working in developing countries for a while but it will be the first time for her daughter. So what is the situation like? malaria, Hospital, security...What's your feeling? Thanks | 3
ozziegiraffe 12:28 UTC 17 Mar 2011 | I would be concerned about taking a young child long-term into a malaria-prone country, although the prevalence is now much less than when I first went to live there 20 years ago. There are a number of well-known Filipino families in Honiara, including the people running the popular Ning's bakery. There is a good hospital, and evacuation is possible (3 hour flight) to Australia. I always made sure I had appropriate insurance while living there. Security is not a major concern, unless you go out alone on foot at night, get in a fight in a night-club, or dress inappropriately (especially for women in rural areas). Take the same precautions you would at home. | 4
oliverneige 13:00 UTC 17 Mar 2011 | Thank you ozziegirafe. That's useful. So I think now we have to take a difficult decision.Hm! very tricky. | 5