Let me start with a clear disclaimer:
This is my personal experience.
It may not match everyone’s story, because we all have different lifestyles.
But I also know I’m not the only one, a lot of people in Douala are silently going through the same things.
So here’s why I decided to leave Douala and move to Yaoundé…
As a web developer, someone who just needs a laptop, stable electricity, and peace of mind—the decision eventually became obvious.
Yes, I actually went to medical school in Douala.
Those years were filled with the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Let me break it down honestly:
Let’s be fair, Douala had its moments.
I met some amazing people during my time there.
People who challenged me, supported me, and became real friends.
School gave me a lot of knowledge, and Douala gave me life lessons I wouldn’t trade for anything.
But that’s about where the good ends.
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Now here comes the reality check.
Living in Douala felt like surviving a boss level every day.
You can’t plan properly. You can’t relax.
Every small task takes more energy than it should.
Power cuts? Eneo can cut light five times in a single day.
Water cuts? Camwater can disappear for three days straight like they’re on leave.
Heat? Bro, the sun in Douala doesn’t go on break. It hits you all day, all night even during the rainy season.
And when it rains? Get ready for flooded streets and muddy, broken roads.
So yes it was draining. Not just physically, but mentally.
Let’s not sugarcoat it.
Mosquitoes everywhere.
Dirty water.
And worst of all, a simple mistake like drinking tap water once at a friend’s house had me getting tested for typhoid, the first time in my life. 😭😅
Ever since I landed in Douala, I’ve been drinking only mineral water.
It sounds like a joke, but if you’ve lived there, you know it’s not.
The truth is, web design doesn’t tie me to one city.
Some weeks I’m in Limbe for a meeting. Other times I’m in Douala for a client session.
So I decided to base myself in Yaoundé instead.
Why?
Because Yaoundé offers the opposite of what was draining me in Douala.
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Let’s be real, Yaoundé is far from perfect.
People say it’s “behind” compared to Douala in many ways.
But for someone like me who needs stable light, decent water, calm environment, and less chaos, it’s a huge upgrade.
Here’s what I’ve noticed since moving:
Electricity rarely goes off. I can work without my heart jumping every time the lights blink.
Water flows more consistently. No more storing buckets like I’m preparing for war.
Cooler temperatures. No more sweating through my clothes at 11 PM.
Way fewer mosquitoes. And no more living in fear of typhoid every time I drink water.
Calmness. Yaoundé is quieter. Less stress. Fewer unnecessary distractions.
The calm helps me think clearer.
The stability helps me work better.
The peace of mind? Priceless.
In my line of work, all I really need is:
A laptop
Stable electricity
Internet
Quiet focus
And access to clients when needed
Yaoundé gives me all of that.
And because I still travel from time to time for meetings, projects, collaborations. I don’t feel stuck.
I’m just based somewhere that allows me to function at a high level.
And that’s really the point.
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If you’re a creative, a developer, or anyone whose work relies on digital tools and concentration, where you live matters.
Douala might be the business capital.
But for me, the constant noise, heat, power cuts, and water stress were eating away at my energy and creativity.
Moving to Yaoundé helped me reclaim that energy.
So if you’re thinking about making a similar move, you’re not crazy.
You’re just finally choosing sanity over struggle.
And that’s what I did.
If you're tired of struggling with bad hosting, poor design, or a site that does nothing for your business.