Your Weekly Question Roundup

Cost of furniture in Abidjan

If you're shipping from Europe/Can/USA, go to Ikea and buy everything in sight.  Chances are, you'll be able to use it in your new place, or sell it for a profit.  Everything is expensive, including tupperwares....   
If you are willing to buy local, you may end up with nice, relatively inexpensive furniture.  But you are going to have to go to a carpenter and have it made.  It'll be even cheaper if you supply the raw materials, since he won't be marking up the price of the wood.  I haven't had to buy furniture and don't think I will (my room mate's company has graciously agreed to furnish for us), but I will ask around...
Another good source is AfrikAnnonce and Internations.  Abidjan is a place where tons of people are constantly coming and going.  People leave and need to sell their stuff, often at firesale prices.  Get in while you can, and bid low -- you might just get lucky.

Security/moving around the country:

I find this to be really overblown.  Every major organization/ company has liability issues, so they would rather you stay out of harm's way.  That said, Ivory Coast is a safe country.  It may not be forever, but it is safe right now.  I have heard of the "coupeurs de route" but have yet to have met anyone who has been affected by it.  In my short time here, I have met a couple of young French engineers who work on the Liberian border, and they seem to be doing just fine.  I also met a young guy working for an animal feed company and he is all over the rural areas of Ivory Coast.  he sticks out like a sore thumb but seems to be having an incredible time.  I'll post about more weekend destinations in my upcoming travel post.

P.S.
Your questions are kind of what makes doing this worthwhile!  Don't hesitate to tell me what you'd like to see more of!   

Responding to your comments/questions

I am so glad you guys have been reaching out and posting questions and comments.  They are really encouraging.  Here are answers to some them.

Cost of living update:
I am still waiting on my contact to get back to me with her monthly budget.  I am also reaching out to other expats (especially those with kids) to try and get a better feel for what different people spend on life here.  Sorry, but the whole concept of time is a bit different here, and that is taking some getting used to. 

Cars:

• This one is going to be tough because I don't drive; however, I do take taxis everywhere and spend a great deal of time on the road.  As I see other people navigate the car purchasing/importing/shipping process, I'll fill you in. 
• Someone asked about right hand drive cars.  I saw a very old right hand drive SUV the other day, and wondered a couple of things namely, how that car got here, and how that driver was still alive.  Driving in Abidjan is an exercise in avoiding what can at times feel like certain death.  Cars coming out of nowhere, gridlock, daredevil taxi drivers, pedestrians crossing at random, traffic lights that don't work, and poor lighting at night all make driving conditions less than ideal here. Why anyone would do so in a right hand vehicle strikes me as both foolhardy and as having a complete disregard for other people on the road.  Again, I don't drive, so I don't know much about blind-spots, but I can say with absolute confidence that it is difficult to drive here and avoid killing, or at least hitting someone.  I am all for not getting on the road with the deck stacked against you.  Strip that bad boy for parts and buy a car in Abidjan.