pros and cons of living in kisangani: an unbiased guide

so you're thinking about moving to kisangani, huh? good luck with that. i mean, it's not like i'm trying to scare you off, but let's be real - this place is wild. i'm a freelance photographer, so i've seen my fair share of weird spots, but kisangani? it's got its own vibe, man. let's break it down, shall we?

### the pros

*nature is insane
i mean, have you seen the congo river? it's like, everywhere. and the forests? forget about it. if you're into that whole 'being one with nature' thing, kisangani's got you covered.

cheap living
seriously, you can live like a king here for under $500 a month. rent's cheap, food's cheap, even the beer's cheap. just don't expect starbucks on every corner.

the people
they're actually pretty cool. friendly, welcoming, and always down for a chat. just don't bring up politics, trust me.

the cons

infrastructure is a joke
roads? what roads? internet? good luck with that. and don't even get me started on the electricity. it's like living in a third-world country, oh wait...

safety concerns
look, i'm not saying it's dangerous, but let's just say you might want to think twice before wandering around alone at night. and keep an eye on your stuff, alright?

limited job market*
unless you're into fishing or farming, good luck finding a decent job here. and don't even think about starting a business, the bureaucracy will drive you insane.

overheard gossip

"yeah, i heard the mayor's cousin owns half the city. and he's not exactly the most honest guy, if you know what i mean."

"did you hear about the new mall they're building? yeah, right. i'll believe it when i see it."

random tips

- always carry cash, credit cards are basically useless here.
- learn some french, it'll make your life a lot easier.
- don't drink the tap water, trust me on this one.
- and for the love of god, wear sunscreen. the sun here is no joke.

cost of living table

Expense	Cost (USD)
Rent (1-bedroom)	$150-300
Utilities	$50-100
Groceries	$100-200
Transportation	$20-50
Entertainment	$50-100

nearby cities

if you ever get bored of kisangani, you can always hop over to goma or bunia. they're just a short flight away, and trust me, you'll need a break from this place every once in a while.

final thoughts

look, i'm not gonna lie to you - living in kisangani is not for everyone. it's chaotic, it's unpredictable, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. but if you're up for an adventure, and you don't mind a little discomfort, then hey, why not? just don't say i didn't warn you.

external links

- tripadvisor - things to do in kisangani
- yelp - restaurants in kisangani
- reddit - r/kisangani
- lonely planet - kisangani guide