
Julien Faliu
@Julien
French expat in Mauritius
Forum posts
53131
Contacts
724
About me
French, Married with children, 47 years old
Lives in Grand Baie
Speaks French, English, Spanish, Catalan, Mauritian Creole
Registration: 11 March 2005
Articles written or translated by Julien Faliu
Senegal is on the verge of a historic milestone: in October 2026, Dakar will host the Summer Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic competition ever held on the African continent. That alone signals how seriously the country takes sport. Whether you are chasing waves off Ngor Island, joining a social run with the Dakar Hash House Harriers, or watching the Lions of Teranga fill a 50,000-seat stadium, Senegal offers a surprisingly broad range of sporting options for expats at every fitness level. This article covers where to train, play, and compete across the country.
25 March 2026
Senegal runs on a concept locals call "Teranga," a Wolof word that translates roughly as hospitality, and it shapes almost every aspect of daily life here. Expats arriving in Dakar quickly discover that leisure is woven into the social fabric: weekends orbit around beach clubs, live music spills out of restaurants well past midnight, and an art biennial transforms the entire capital into an open-air gallery every two years. This article covers the full range of leisure options available in Senegal, from surfing off the Dakar peninsula and golfing among baobab trees to cultural institutions, family outings, and practical tips on where to find the best value.
25 March 2026
Senegal's rental market runs on two completely different speeds depending on where you land. In Dakar, for example, quality apartments in expat-popular neighborhoods move within weeks, landlords frequently test higher prices with foreign tenants, and upfront cash requirements can reach the equivalent of four months' rent before you receive a single key. Outside the capital, the pace slows considerably and negotiating room widens. This article covers what to expect from the housing market across Senegal, from price benchmarks and popular neighborhoods to lease conditions, tenant protections, and the practical steps to securing a home.
25 March 2026
Dakar sits at the westernmost tip of mainland Africa, on the Cap-Vert peninsula, and that geographic fact shapes almost everything about life there: the ocean breeze that softens the heat, the surf culture that draws digital nomads, and the sense of being at a crossroads between continents. The city is the diplomatic and economic engine of Francophone West Africa, home to United Nations agencies, international NGOs, a fast-growing tech startup scene, and a large, well-established expat community. For those considering a move, Dakar offers a genuinely rich urban experience, but it comes with real trade-offs: high costs, severe traffic, and a French-language barrier that shapes daily life far more than many newcomers expect. This article covers the key aspects of living in Dakar, from the best neighbourhoods to settle in, to the rhythms of local culture, food, safety, and family life.
24 March 2026
Dakar is preparing to make history as the host city of the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic sporting event ever held on the African continent. That context shapes everything about sport in the city right now: infrastructure is expanding, youth programmes are multiplying, and a population already passionate about wrestling, football, and surfing has even more reason to get active. Whether you are looking for a gym near Almadies, a running group on the Corniche Ouest, a surf lesson at Ngor Island, or a football kickabout on the beach at Yoff, this article covers the options available to you as an expat in Dakar.
24 March 2026
Dakar is in the middle of a transport revolution. The city that was long defined by gridlocked roads and aging minibuses now has Africa's first fully electric Bus Rapid Transit network and a modern commuter rail line connecting its dense suburbs to the city centre. For expats arriving today, the options are broader and more reliable than ever, though informal transport still dominates large parts of the network and traffic congestion remains a daily reality. This article covers every meaningful way to get around Dakar: from the new BRT and TER systems to ride-hailing apps, taxis, driving conditions, and getting in from the airport.
24 March 2026
Dakar's food scene is one of the most distinctive in West Africa, built on a culinary identity that blends Atlantic seafood, peanut-based stews, and French-influenced bakeries into something entirely its own. Whether you are settling in for the long term or still finding your feet, understanding how the city eats, where it eats, and what it costs will make daily life considerably easier. This article covers everything from the national dish and the best neighbourhoods to eat in, to grocery shopping, dietary needs, and the food delivery apps that actually work here.
24 March 2026
Dakar runs on relationships. Whether you are looking to break into a new industry, find your first clients, or simply build a social circle after arriving in Senegal's capital, the way you connect with people here matters as much as what you know. The city has a growing ecosystem of professional events, active chambers of commerce, and a diverse international community spread across neighborhoods like Almadies, Mermoz-Sacré-Cœur, and Plateau. This article covers the platforms, associations, events, and cultural norms that will help you build a meaningful network in Dakar, whether your priority is professional growth or simply meeting people you can rely on.
24 March 2026Nearly half of all households in Dakar rent their homes, and the competition for well-located, well-equipped apartments is intense. Prime neighborhoods fill in under three weeks, upfront costs can reach four months' rent before you even unpack, and most contracts are written entirely in French. This article covers everything you need to navigate the Dakar rental market confidently: where to live, what to pay, how the process works, and what challenges to prepare for before you start your search.
24 March 2026
Dakar stands out as the leading higher education destination in Francophone West Africa, drawing students from across the continent and beyond to a city that blends academic ambition with a famously welcoming culture. Whether you are considering a full degree at a public university, a business programme at one of the region's top-ranked private schools, or an exchange semester, this article covers what you need to know: how the higher education system works, what it costs, where to live, and how to navigate daily life as an international student in a city that is genuinely unlike anywhere else.
24 March 2026
Dakar has quietly become one of West Africa's most dynamic cities for professional opportunity, and the pace of change is accelerating. Offshore oil and gas projects, a fast-growing technology ecosystem, and a dense concentration of international organizations make the Senegalese capital a genuinely competitive job market. This article covers the sectors actively hiring foreign talent, the districts where business concentrates, what salaries look like in practice, and how to navigate daily commutes as the city's transport network undergoes a significant transformation.
24 March 2026
Dakar sits on a structural housing deficit of roughly 30,000 units per year, yet nominal property prices have risen by around 90% over the past decade. For foreign buyers, that combination creates both genuine opportunity and real complexity: the legal framework is welcoming on paper, but the distinction between privately titled land and the vast national domain is a line that can make or break a transaction. This article covers everything you need to know to buy residential property in Dakar with confidence, from understanding which land you can legally own, to navigating the notary process, budgeting for transaction costs, and managing your tax obligations as a foreign owner.
24 March 2026
Dakar sits at the westernmost tip of the African continent, and that geography shapes everything about the city's leisure culture: Atlantic breezes roll in off the ocean, historic islands sit minutes from the shore, and a creative energy rooted in mbalax music and contemporary African art pulses through every neighborhood. Whether you've just arrived or have been living here for months, the city offers a genuinely wide range of things to do, from free museum visits and pirogue rides to rooftop lounges that don't fill up until well past midnight. This article covers the key leisure experiences available in Dakar across culture, outdoor life, shopping, events, nightlife, family outings, and wellness, so you can start building a life in the city that extends well beyond work.
24 March 2026
Senegal's reputation for warmth is not just a tourism slogan. The concept of "Teranga", the Wolof word for hospitality, shapes daily life in ways that expat families notice almost immediately: strangers greet your children in the street, restaurant staff make a fuss over toddlers, and neighbors offer help before you think to ask. For families considering a move to Dakar or the surrounding region, this cultural backdrop makes a real difference. That said, raising children abroad always involves trade-offs, and Senegal is no exception. This article covers what expat families actually need to know: from choosing a school and finding childcare, to navigating pediatric healthcare, settling into the right neighborhood, and keeping children active and socially connected.
24 March 2026
Dakar sits on the westernmost tip of Africa, operates on GMT, and offers a cost of living that is roughly half what you would spend in North America or Western Europe. For digital nomads weighing up their next base, those three facts alone make Senegal worth serious attention. This article covers what remote workers actually need to know before choosing Senegal: the visa situation, internet reliability, coworking options, monthly costs, and the real challenges that make this destination rewarding but not entirely straightforward.
24 March 2026Activity
Health insurance for Expats : Regency by carriebaber
Hi I'm new to this group. I have just signed up for Regency Ex-Pat health insurance. I live in Malaysia and I'm American. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this provider.
I regularly talk with them they are very serious ; you're in good hands ! Read More
Moving to Madrid? by Mercedes11
Apartment available in April. €2,500/month. Moving to Madrid? DM for private viewing
Hi Mercedes,you would post an ad in the properties section/en/housing/europe/spain/madrid/It's free Hope this helps,Julien Read More
Chúc mừng năm mới !
Hi everyone, I wish you and your family happiness, good health, and success in the New Year !take care,Julien Read More
Medical insurance by alvanroc
Providers for expats resident in Spain
Hi,how can we help you? Read More
Presentation myself by RickRios
Hi, dear friendsMy name is Rick Rios, Im an expat like you looking for have a large number of good friends in Spain. I m dedicated to ROBOTICS and AUTOMATION fields and design robotics cell for different industries. I would like share nice events ...
Welcome on board Rick!Where in Spain are you located ? Have you been living in the country for a long time? (I have an engineering degree in robotics but I am concentrating on software and web development)All the best,Julien Read More
Email address not verified message by MarkinNam
I'm getting this message and each time I try to verify it they are unable to send the code or what ever. Tried messaging Julien but can't even message him ???? an advice ??
Hi guys,if you need me, please do not hesitate to send me an email, which is myfirstname (with an "e") At expat.comThanksJulien Read More
Sincere condolences
Hello everyone,It is with a heavy heart that I am posting this message a few days after the tragedy in Crans-Montana, which claimed the lives of many people and will leave a lasting mark on all of us.The expat.com team and I would like to express ... Read More
New members of the Kenya forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Kenya forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110254 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Ivory Coast forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Ivory Coast forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110253 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Guinea Conakry forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Guinea Conakry forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110252 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Guinea Bissau forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Guinea Bissau forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110251 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Ghana forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Ghana forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110250 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Gambia forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Gambia forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110249 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Gabon forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Gabon forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110248 Thanks! Read More
New members of the Ethiopia forum, introduce yourselves here - 2025 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Ethiopia forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your ...
Hi, I invite you to follow this topic on this new thread: /forum/viewtopic.php?id=1110247 Thanks! Read More