Pros And Cons Of Living In Morocco

Are you considering buying a one-way ticket to Africa and spending your days exploring exotic Morocco?

Check out these pros and cons of living in Morocco first.

Morocco has long been one of the top expat and digital nomad destinations in Africa, and its popularity is only growing.

With its ancient cities, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture, it can be an unforgettable experience.

This north African city is surrounded by sweeping deserts, and forest-covered mountains and is bursting with history.

Whether it’s the exciting city life or the quiet rural suburbs that entice expats to this corner of Africa, many of them agree that Morocco is one of the best cities for expats and remote workers.

But before you book your ticket, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of life in Morocco.

In this post, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of living in Morocco to give you an insight into what to expect.

Pros Of Living In Morocco

As with many parts of Africa, there are lots of pros to living in Morocco. It’s impossible to name them all, but let’s take a look at the highlights.

Good Weather

What we have to mention first is the weather in Morocco, as this draws lots of people here each year. Although it can be extremely hot at some points during the summer, Morocco has a great climate all year round.

Spring and autumn are really pleasant in Morocco with temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees celsius and little rain.

During these months the weather is sunny and dry, but not too humid, and it can be a bit chilly at night time which is actually a welcome escape from the heat.

March experiences the most rainfall during the year, so keep that in mind when booking your trip.

There is plenty of sunshine all year with the northern parts of the country having a Mediterranean climate similar to the south of Spain.

The further south you go, be prepared for more extreme heat. The Sahara desert has scorching summer days and surprisingly cold nights.

Affordable Cost Of Living

Morocco is an extremely affordable part of Africa and this is a big reason why so many people move here.

Food and accommodation are both very reasonable, making it very appealing to those seeking some cheaper living.

You can experience a low cost of living here, even in the capital cities. Things like food and accommodation are pretty cheap.

Once you are eating local food, your meals will be very inexpensive with around $5 being the average for lunch. Many accommodations in Morocco will also offer free breakfast which will save some extra cash.

Since Morocco is an Islamic country it is difficult to find and expensive to buy alcohol. If you want to buy alcohol, you will need to allow for more money in your budget as it isn’t cheap.

Incredible Food

While visiting Morocco, you will come across some of the best food in Africa. The flavors are amazing and there is a huge focus put on food in Morocco

Moroccan cuisine is a delightful combination of Mediterranean flavors and Middle Eastern spices. From tagines and couscous dishes to pastries and sweet treats, there’s something for everyone.

Plus, due to its location on the Mediterranean Sea, seafood is a popular delicacy here. Some of the most popular dishes inlcude B’ssara and tagine, which you need to try while you’re here.

Surrounded By Nature

Morocco is a great spot for nature lovers to live, perhaps one of the best in Northern Africa.

With its deserts, mountains, beaches, and forests scattered throughout the country, there’s something for everyone when it comes to landscapes in Morocco.

Whether you want to relax on the beach or climb the Atlas Mountains—or both—Morocco has something you will enjoy.

There are huge contrasts here as you can enjoy beaches during the summer and even ski at high elevations during the winter.

Cons Of Living In Morocco

If you are considering moving to Morocco, there are also some cons to look at when deciding if this is the place for you.

Language Barrier

Most Moroccans speak Arabic but many also understand French as they were part of France’s colonial empire until 1956.

However, English isn’t spoken widely so if you don’t know either language it may be difficult to communicate with locals until you learn some basic words/phrases.

Because of this, it can be tough to integrate with locals. It’s ok in the short term, but if you are planning to stay long term, it is important that you learn Arabic so you can fully integrate into life in Morocco.

Safety

Unfortunately, there are still some issues around safety in Morocco. Petty crime is very common, especially in the cities, so you need to be extremely careful with your personal belongings while visiting.

This isn’t something that would affect your quality of life too much on a daily basis, but it means you need to pay close attention when in busy areas.

Corruption

Corruption is a big problem within Morocco, unfortunately. Taxpayers’ money doesn’t always go into bettering the infrastructure and keeping the country clean and liveable.

Police and government officials allegedly often take bribes to the detriment of the well-being of local people.

As a result of the corruption, places can be covered in trash and infrastructure is poor because it has not been properly invested in.

Public Health System

The public health system is a big con to living in Morocco and one that must be considered before moving here.

There currently isn’t a good public health system and things move slowly and are expensive, you definitely won’t have the best health care here.

This system has a long way to go before it reaches the standard you would expect when moving somewhere new.

Final Thoughts On Living In Morocco

Now you’ve read all about the pros and cons of living in Morocco, does it seem like the right place for you? If you aren’t sure, consider booking small group tours to Morocco first.

If you’re interested in stunning nature, diverse cuisine, and lots of history and culture and wish to live on a lower budget than elsewhere in the world, Morocco could be an excellent option for you.

If, on the other hand, you want an English-speaking country and somewhere with a better health system, etc. done to you, you might wish to keep searching for your dream location.

If you want to compare Morocco with other destinations, check out these posts:

• Pros and cons of living in Madeira
• Pros and cons of living in Chiang Mai
• Pros and cons of living in Portugal