🕌 Living in Morocco vs Visiting: What Changes in 2025?
Spending two weeks in Morocco feels magical — but what happens when you actually move there? Living in Morocco in 2025 offers incredible rewards, but it’s not the same as a tourist trip. Here’s what expats should expect.
🧳 1. From Airbnb to Bureaucracy
Visiting:
- You stay in riads or hotels
- No paperwork, just enjoy
Living:
- You need rental agreements, ID copies, sometimes notarized documents
- You’ll visit police stations and city offices
🍽️ 2. From Eating Out to Cooking at Home
Tourists:
- Every meal is a tagine or couscous dish
- You dine in beautiful cafés daily
Expats:
- You shop at souks and Carrefour
- You learn how to budget and cook at home
- You discover Moroccan breakfast is mostly bread, olive oil, tea
🚌 3. From Tours to Daily Transport
Tourists:
- Taxis and private drivers
- Walking medinas is fun
Expats:
- You’ll use grands taxis or inDrive
- You realize buses are slow, and walking under 40°C is… tough
💬 4. From English to Darija & French
Tourists:
- Everyone speaks some English
- People are patient and helpful
Expats:
- You’ll need basic Darija or French
- Government offices and landlords rarely speak English
💰 5. From Spending to Budgeting
| Item | Tourist Price (USD) | Resident Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| SIM card (10GB) | $10 | $3 – $5 |
| Café breakfast | $4 – $5 | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| Monthly groceries | — | $100 – $180 |
| Apartment rent | Airbnb ($600+) | Local ($250 – $500) |
🧠 What Expats Say
- “Living in Morocco is beautiful but slower — patience is key.”
- “Tourists see the rose-colored version; real life is a mix of charm and challenge.”
- “It’s affordable and safe, but the bureaucracy is real.”
