Lifestyle

Vanuatu has a special lifestyle for the foreign resident.  It is not for everyone but it is one of the strengths of the country.  The Vanuatu people are generally friendly, honest, hardworking and accepting of outsiders.  Crime is a relatively small problem though it is growing in the capital city of Port Vila.   Violent crime is still unusual except in a domestic setting.  Most crimes are theft related. 

Vanuatu offers tremendous opportunities for outdoor recreation and Port Vila has an active night life. 

The primary issues of the foreigner living in Vanuatu are health care and education.   As most foreigners live in Port Vila it has the largest selection of private doctors and schools. 

It is widely accepted that Vanuatu public schools are unsuitable for children that expect to function outside Vanuatu.   Most expatriates living in Vanuatu send their children to private school in the country until they are in their early teens and then they send them abroad to Australia, New Zealand or New Caledonia.   Private schools in Vanuatu are reasonably priced.  Port Vila has a variety of schools to choose from and Luganville has a good school but there are few options on other islands.  Home schooling through Australia is very good but you are relying on Vanuatu Post and this can be difficult on the outer islands.

Healthcare is a major concern in Vanuatu.  The Port Vila hospital has a good surgeon but in general the care in all of the hospitals is not up to international standards.  There are private doctors and clinics in Port VIla but it is generally accepted that a major problem that still allows transport should be handled in Australia or New Zealand.  Medical care beyond Port Vila or Luganville is very poor except for the clinic on North Malekula thanks to Dr. Derek.

The Outer Islands of Vanuatu offer the most in seclusion and unspoiled beauty but you must be very self sufficient and have a great deal of patients for learning and adapting to the local ways.