You visited Benin and loved it. You were impressed with how far your money can go there, and you made the decision to purchase some property over there and move in. After a few days in Benin, you realize this living is quite different from the Western culture. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your new life in Benin.

Do purchase a bike: One important thing to understand is that transportation works a bit differently in Benin. Many times it will not be easy finding local transportation and it may not be worth your time just waiting around. You will have to be proactive and ride your bike or start walking. Enjoy the scenery!

Don't assume everyone speaks English: Although English may be heard in the larger cities, the farther you move away from the city the harder it will be to find an English speaker. With some of the free time you now have in a relaxed area, you might consider learning one of the local languages.

Do learn how to drive a manual transmission: The vast majority of cars in the US are automatic, which means less and less people are wanting to or even needing to learn how to drive manual. However, in Africa manual transmissions are no less popular than automatics, so it would be worth your time spending some time to learn.

Don't pay retail price for anything. Most items for sale are marked up sky high and sellers are generally open to negotiation. This will take getting used to, since in Western culture the prices in stores are non-negotiable.