Top 5 pros of living in Dhaka

All right, all right, I am a born again optimist, so I will start out with the positives:

1) Travel!

After the amazing opportunity we had to travel around Asia, I can’t help but again mention the travel as the top pro. After all, you have many amazing places to explore… And so many amazing culturally-rich countries just a short flight away…

2) Pampering!

Stressed out with work, traffic, pollution? The Desh is the place for you! It is super affordable to get great massages here. Or my girls, manicures, pedicures and facials are also a fraction of what you’d pay for it in the US.


3) Household staff!

Yep, in Dhaka you can actually afford to have a staff, and most people here have a helper and a driver. We also have both, and we’ve been very happy with them. Our helper leaves our place spotless, does our laundry, pet sits when we’re out of town, does our grocery shopping and cooks. None of the aya or  driver have ever rolled their eyes at us, or answered anything without a smile on their faces. They’re not perfect, but who is? Our life in Bangladesh is definitely easier with them than without them.

It will be tough for the kids when they will go away to college and realize that clothes don't pick themselves off the floor and appear in their closets clean and ironed. And that the dishes are not magically taken care of…

4) People!

I am sure that there are more hospitable culture out there. However, I never myself been inside one. Bangladeshis will go out of their way to please you. Show them respect and smile at them, make the slightest effort to show you are one of them and you will have made instant friends.

5) Affordability

Just like you can afford to travel, hire household staff and get others to pamper you, you can afford pretty much most things in general (except shopping at the mall – that’s expensive!). But want to go out to dinner? Assuming you’re not ordering US/Australian steak, anything else is a super good deal. It’s nice to go out to eat without breaking the bank.  You can find anything from sushi, to Korean, to Indian, to Italian, to vegetarian. And since it's practically impossible to get a liquor license here you can bring your wine or beer to go with you meal.