Thinking of moving back to Addis after 5 years… need some real insight
Hey everyone,
I haven’t been back to Addis in about 5 years, and I’m seriously considering relocating back soon. Before making the move, I’d really appreciate some honest input from the expat community there 🙏🏽
I’ll be bringing my two cats (2 & 3 years old), so this is a big factor for me. They’re both rescues, spayed and neutered, fully vaccinated, and have their vaccination passports ready. They’re in really good health, so I’m ideally looking for a vet that can maintain that standard, someone reliable for regular 6-month to yearly check-ups and overall good care.
Also, is pet food easily available? They’re on a mix of dry and wet food like Purina, Royal Canin, Kit Cat, etc.
I’m also really curious about how active and open the expat community is right now. I’m thinking of creating a structured networking and social community, something membership-based where people can meet regularly, around 3 to 4 times a month. Things like Pilates or gym meetups, coffee or brunch hangouts, small group networking; just a space that’s both productive and social.
I’m currently part of a few similar communities where I live now, especially women-focused ones, and they’ve honestly been amazing. So I’d love to bring something like that to Addis. Would this be something people would actually be interested in?
On the business side, I’m also looking at creating opportunities for business owners to connect, both locally and through cross-border or online networking. Is that something the community would find valuable?
Lastly, I’m thinking about living arrangements. While I could move back into my family home, I’ve been living independently for a while now and I’m not sure that would be the best fit anymore, especially with my cats. Are there pet-friendly flat shares or expat-style shared living setups in Addis?
Just trying to get a real feel for things before making the move. Any advice, experiences, or connections would mean a lot ❤️