Libreville Bills Ain't Cheap, But the Vibes? Chef's Kiss.

so here's the tea on living in libreville, gabon. i moved here for a freelance photography gig thinking, "tropical paradise, low cost, easy life." spoiler: the paradise part is real, but your wallet will feel it. electricity bills here? wild. i've paid more for a month of power than i did for my rent in some european cities. and water? sometimes it's there, sometimes it's not. you learn to keep buckets handy like it's the apocalypse.

*rent in libreville is another story. if you want something decent, not a glorified shed, you're looking at 400-600k cfa/month. that's like 650-1000 usd. and don't even get me started on internet. it's slower than my grandma's dial-up and costs more than my netflix, hulu, and disney+ combined. i've heard rumors that some neighborhoods get better service, but i'm still waiting for that miracle.

now, the weather? hot. like, "i just walked outside and now i'm sweating through my shirt" hot. but the beaches are a 20-minute drive, and the vibe is unmatched. you'll see people grilling fish by the shore, kids playing soccer in the sand, and the occasional monkey stealing your snacks. it's chaotic, but it works.

here's a quick breakdown of what i've been paying:
- electricity: 100-150k cfa/month (if you're lucky)
- water: 20-30k cfa/month (when it's on)
- internet: 70-100k cfa/month (for the "fast" plan)
- rent: 400-600k cfa/month (for a decent place)

overheard from a local: "if you want cheap, move to the village. but if you want libreville, you pay libreville prices." fair point.

pro tip*: if you're here long-term, get a generator. trust me. and stock up on rechargeable fans. you'll thank me later.

for more on libreville's cost of living, check out Numbeo or ask the locals on Reddit's Africa thread. they'll give you the unfiltered truth.

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