The main tar-sealed road circling Savai'i, which generally follows the coastline around the island where most villages are situated, runs inland where these settlements are located.

The main road is considered a life-line for these inland villages for access to schools, churches and nearest hospitals at Tuasivi and Safotu.

However, at Samalae'ulu village, the main road crosses a ford at Maliolio River which can become inaccessible during flooding.

In 2007, Patamea and neighbouring villages, came under a Coastal Infrastructure Management Plan by the Government of Samoa[2] to help communities prepare for any type of emergency.

Like most villages in Samoa, the village of Patamea is based on a cash economy driven by traditional work, mostly in plantations although there is some cattle farming as well as family members working in the capital Apia on the main island Upolu.