Libreville Bills: What Your Wallet Actually Feels
so here's the thing about living in libreville-it's not the postcards or the sunsets that'll break you. it's the little things. the bills. the "convenience" fees. the "we're sorry, the power's out again" moments. i'm not here to sell you some dreamy version of this city. i'm here to tell you what it actually costs to keep the lights on, the water running, and your sanity barely intact.
let's start with electricity. in libreville, you're looking at about 150-250 cfa per kwh depending on your provider and how much you use. sounds cheap, right? until you realize the power cuts out more often than a bad dj at a wedding. so you end up buying a generator. and fuel. and suddenly you're spending more on backup power than on rent. my buddy who lives in oloumi said he spends nearly 80,000 cfa a month just keeping his fridge from becoming a science experiment.
water? oh, water's a whole other story. the tap water here is… let's say "adventurous." most people either boil it, filter it, or just buy bottled water. a 20-liter jug costs about 1,500 cfa. if you've got a family, that's a line item in your budget. and don't even get me started on the occasional water cuts. you'll be mid-shower, shampoo in your eyes, and suddenly-nothing. just you, your thoughts, and a very confused cat.
internet is another beast. if you're working from home or just trying to stream something that isn't buffering every five seconds, you'll need a decent connection. the main providers are africa online and moov. expect to pay around 50,000-70,000 cfa a month for something that doesn't make you want to throw your laptop out the window. and even then, it's a gamble.
rent? yeah, that's a thing. if you're looking for a decent 2-bedroom in a safe area like glass or quartier d'escale, you're looking at 400,000-600,000 cfa a month. utilities aren't usually included, so add another 100,000-150,000 cfa for electricity, water, and internet. and if you want air conditioning? forget it. your electric bill will make you question every life choice that led you here.
now, let's talk safety. libreville is generally safe compared to other cities in the region, but like anywhere, you've got to be smart. don't walk around with your phone out at night. don't leave your windows open if you're on the ground floor. and for the love of all that is holy, don't argue with the guy who just cut you off in traffic. it's not worth it.
weather? hot. like, "i just walked to the corner store and now i need a shower" hot. it's humid, it's sticky, and if you're not used to it, it'll hit you like a wall. but hey, at least it's not snowing, right?
if you're thinking of moving here, my advice? find a place with good airflow, invest in a decent fan, and make friends with your local generator guy. and maybe keep a stash of candles for when the power goes out. again.
*rent (2-bedroom, safe area): 400,000-600,000 cfa/month
electricity: 80,000-150,000 cfa/month (plus generator costs)
water: 20,000-30,000 cfa/month (bottled water extra)
internet: 50,000-70,000 cfa/month
total monthly cost of living:* roughly 600,000-900,000 cfa for a modest but comfortable life.
want to know more? check out tripadvisor's libreville forum for real talk from expats, or hit up the expat sub on reddit for unfiltered stories. and if you're curious about neighborhoods, yelp gabon has some surprisingly honest reviews.
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