So I Moved to Lebanon — Malikah Kelly

It’s been ages since I posted, I know! Things have been pretty busy with everything going on, and it also prompted me to take a much needed digital break.

But in case you don’t follow me on Instagram or YouTube, here is what you missed!

I moved to Beirut, Lebanon.

Lebanon is a stunning country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a rich culture and history, incredible food, and beautiful scenery. It is unfortunately now suffering through multiple crises, from an economic crisis and hyperinflation to a shortage of essential goods, like fuel and basic medications. Despite the struggles, I have fallen in love with life here and all the potential this place has to offer.

Keep reading for some FAQ’s about my life as an expat in Lebanon.

What made you decide to move to Lebanon

This is the big one! The timing of the move was unexpected considering everything happening in the country, but we are making the best of it. The main reason for the move was a big job opportunity for my husband that we just couldn’t turn down. We are both people that love to travel and we have both lived abroad before, so this was a step that made sense for us, and I knew that we would likely move abroad together at some point in our relationship. Lebanon was not one of the places we imagined ourselves living, but we also knew that it would be an incredible experience for us both. We almost backtracked on the decision in the aftermath of the devastating port explosion on August 4th, 2020. We began to question whether we should still make the move, but we took a leap of faith and are overjoyed with our decision so far.

What are some things you love about Lebanon?

We moved over the summer, and it was the best time. The beaches are incredible and very few things beat watching the sunsets on the Mediterranean. I also love the Beirut beach club scene – they are all little private beach or pool clubs that have a different vibe – from pure relaxation to full blown parties. I have even fallen in love with nightlife again! In the US I stopped clubbing years ago, but it’s just a whole different ball game here. There is also a great beach scene, with private clubs that all have a different vibe.

Even the food and dining are remarkable, and even though I have never been a big fan of gin, the local distilleries have made me do a complete 180! I’ve only been here a few months I have already had so many unique experiences.

What about everything we hear on the news about Lebanon?

Well yea a lot of that is true.

It’s a long and complicated situation that cannot be adequately explained in this post, but conditions in the country began to rapidly deteriorate after the port explosion in 2020. Lebanon is currently experiencing one of the most devastating financial crisis ever seen. The Lebanese Lira has lost 90% of its value, many local businesses no longer take credit cards because of the collapse of the banking system. The price for goods and services are in a constant state of fluctuation. The Lebanese government resigned in the wake of the port explosion last year, and the country has had severe infrastructure issues since then. There are shortages of everything from fuel to medications, constant blackouts and issues with plumping and water quality. Almost everyone relies on private fuel run generators for power which are extremely expensive considering wages in the country.

And as much as I love the super fresh food, things go bad fast and food poisoning/food borne illnesses are extremely common, especially in the summer.

The mood has gotten more and more tense as the economic issues worsen and no one can predict what will happen over the course of the next few months. But all I can tell you is that we are safe and staying prepared.

So what’s next for this chapter in your life?

I’m not sure but am taking it day by day. The opportunity to move to a new country and the end of the year are the perfect time to really consider life’s changing directions and how to adjust. I have found myself moving more slowly and with more consideration, less focused on hustling and more focused just on living. But I am happily working in a new job and rebranding my business to more adequately reflect where I am in life right now.

And if you want to keep up, please follow me on Instagram @whereismalikah and on my brand-new YouTube channel for a look at this new chapter in my life and how it continues to evolve.