Libya
Jan 12th 2007, 7:28 am
#1
Miles away from home
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Originally UK, Australia, Oman
Posts: 79
Libya
Hi
Just heard that we could be moving to Libiya for a couple of years, is there anyone that can give me any further information as I have very little at the moment, are there many expats living there and what is the lifestyle like? I have 2 boys, one who is 3 and the other just turned 11, any information on schooling would be greatly appreciated. Look forward to hearing from someone hopefully soon.
Just heard that we could be moving to Libiya for a couple of years, is there anyone that can give me any further information as I have very little at the moment, are there many expats living there and what is the lifestyle like? I have 2 boys, one who is 3 and the other just turned 11, any information on schooling would be greatly appreciated. Look forward to hearing from someone hopefully soon.
Feb 1st 2007, 11:40 am
#2
Miles away from home
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Originally UK, Australia, Oman
Posts: 79
Re: Libya/Tripoli
Hi
Anyone in Tripoli? would love to hear from anyone that lives there, has lived there, is moving there. Thanks
Anyone in Tripoli? would love to hear from anyone that lives there, has lived there, is moving there. Thanks
Nov 27th 2007, 10:34 pm
#5
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: Libya/Tripoli
First vessel that arrived in Ipswich, the Police came and arrested all the crew. That was a baptism of fire
Aug 1st 2008, 3:42 am
#6
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Re: Libya/Tripoli
I have been given an oppurtunity to move to Tripoli, Libya.
I am having a lot of trouble obtaining reliable information on what it is like over there as an expat.
Can you offer any help on where one should look for renting a house outside of Tripoli, what it is like now and would it be a good move?
Cheers,
Nigel
Nov 18th 2008, 1:27 pm
#7
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Re: Libiya
Hi
Just joined, and looking for info on accommodation and life style in Tripoli. Should be moving out there in Feb 2009 with my wife.
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables?
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied?
What’s the best are to move in to?
Driving on your own or is a driver required?
Communications expensive?
TV sat available?
Just joined, and looking for info on accommodation and life style in Tripoli. Should be moving out there in Feb 2009 with my wife.
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables?
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied?
What’s the best are to move in to?
Driving on your own or is a driver required?
Communications expensive?
TV sat available?
Nov 18th 2008, 2:23 pm
#8
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Re: Libiya
Sorry about not replying - for some reason I got no notification of posting 
Nigel - are you still up for coming out? If so - reply to this and I will fill you in.
Askari
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables? Very cheap all in all although one can spend loads if one wants. As a guide, my wife and I did a massive fruiot and veg shop over the weekend, four hands full of bags for 14 dinar - about 6 quid.
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied? Nor restrictions as such but common sense applies and dressing conservatively is a must. Dress like a tart at home, or preferably in my house
but on the streets - modesty is the name of the game.
What’s the best are to move in to? Regatta, Janzour, Saraj are the best 'out of town' - Ben Ashour ara in town. Aim for the Embassy areas.
Driving on your own or is a driver required? Good question and one that taxes the best HR has to offer. If you are confident, go alone. I drive and am convinced that I am safer than a local driver. If not confident - a driver is a good idea. The driving is far and away the biggest risk out here.
Communications expensive? You mean monthly mobiles? I struggle to spend 10 pounds per month with internal phone calls/texts - including work.
TV sat available? Yes. Sky is pretty weak but there are plenty of other alternatives and I never miss a football match, have all the Sky News, CNN etc. as well as numerous movie channels in English.
Come to Libya. The people are mental but nice and the weather is ace - although it is bucketing it down today
Nigel - are you still up for coming out? If so - reply to this and I will fill you in.
Askari
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables? Very cheap all in all although one can spend loads if one wants. As a guide, my wife and I did a massive fruiot and veg shop over the weekend, four hands full of bags for 14 dinar - about 6 quid.
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied? Nor restrictions as such but common sense applies and dressing conservatively is a must. Dress like a tart at home, or preferably in my house
but on the streets - modesty is the name of the game.What’s the best are to move in to? Regatta, Janzour, Saraj are the best 'out of town' - Ben Ashour ara in town. Aim for the Embassy areas.
Driving on your own or is a driver required? Good question and one that taxes the best HR has to offer. If you are confident, go alone. I drive and am convinced that I am safer than a local driver. If not confident - a driver is a good idea. The driving is far and away the biggest risk out here.
Communications expensive? You mean monthly mobiles? I struggle to spend 10 pounds per month with internal phone calls/texts - including work.
TV sat available? Yes. Sky is pretty weak but there are plenty of other alternatives and I never miss a football match, have all the Sky News, CNN etc. as well as numerous movie channels in English.
Come to Libya. The people are mental but nice and the weather is ace - although it is bucketing it down today
Nov 19th 2008, 5:26 am
#9
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2
Re: Libiya
Hi,
Unfortunately, the deal I had been working on in Tripoli has now been suspended indefinitely given the latest global headlines.
Incidentally, as an architect and a construction manager, I'd be very interested to know how the construction market is there at the moment and if it has been severely hampered or not.
What line of work are you in?
I have been looking into Libya's history and the country today and find it a beautiful place with what I imagine to have great charm.
I would very much appreciate any further info you can offer.
Libya sounds like a great place to spend some time.
Cheers,
Nigel
Unfortunately, the deal I had been working on in Tripoli has now been suspended indefinitely given the latest global headlines.
Incidentally, as an architect and a construction manager, I'd be very interested to know how the construction market is there at the moment and if it has been severely hampered or not.
What line of work are you in?
I have been looking into Libya's history and the country today and find it a beautiful place with what I imagine to have great charm.
I would very much appreciate any further info you can offer.
Libya sounds like a great place to spend some time.
Cheers,
Nigel
Nov 19th 2008, 6:24 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Re: Libiya
Hi Nigel!
The construction market is booming - Libya is kind of recessino proof in a few ways with the funding for a lot fo the big projects coming from the Middle East and Asia.
Check out www.aecom.com for their Libya activites - they are ramping up big time here.
http://www.aecom.com/NewsMedia/53/77/index.html
Some big vanity projects too here - with a lot of work planned to be finished in the next 10 months, in time for the 40th anniversary of the Leader being in power
As for me, I'm one of the sad cases in the oil industry - First Engineering and the usual other engineering companies aer always recruiting.
Libya? Can be brilliant and can be awful.
The construction market is booming - Libya is kind of recessino proof in a few ways with the funding for a lot fo the big projects coming from the Middle East and Asia.
Check out www.aecom.com for their Libya activites - they are ramping up big time here.
http://www.aecom.com/NewsMedia/53/77/index.html
Some big vanity projects too here - with a lot of work planned to be finished in the next 10 months, in time for the 40th anniversary of the Leader being in power
As for me, I'm one of the sad cases in the oil industry - First Engineering and the usual other engineering companies aer always recruiting.
Libya? Can be brilliant and can be awful.
Nov 19th 2008, 8:00 am
#11
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Re: Libiya
Sorry about not replying - for some reason I got no notification of posting
Nigel - are you still up for coming out? If so - reply to this and I will fill you in.
Askari
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables? Very cheap all in all although one can spend loads if one wants. As a guide, my wife and I did a massive fruiot and veg shop over the weekend, four hands full of bags for 14 dinar - about 6 quid.
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied? Nor restrictions as such but common sense applies and dressing conservatively is a must. Dress like a tart at home, or preferably in my housebut on the streets - modesty is the name of the game.
What’s the best are to move in to? Regatta, Janzour, Saraj are the best 'out of town' - Ben Ashour ara in town. Aim for the Embassy areas.
Driving on your own or is a driver required? Good question and one that taxes the best HR has to offer. If you are confident, go alone. I drive and am convinced that I am safer than a local driver. If not confident - a driver is a good idea. The driving is far and away the biggest risk out here.
Communications expensive? You mean monthly mobiles? I struggle to spend 10 pounds per month with internal phone calls/texts - including work.
TV sat available? Yes. Sky is pretty weak but there are plenty of other alternatives and I never miss a football match, have all the Sky News, CNN etc. as well as numerous movie channels in English.
Come to Libya. The people are mental but nice and the weather is ace - although it is bucketing it down today
Nigel - are you still up for coming out? If so - reply to this and I will fill you in.
Askari
Lots of questions, any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cost of living, food prices, restaurants, general consumables? Very cheap all in all although one can spend loads if one wants. As a guide, my wife and I did a massive fruiot and veg shop over the weekend, four hands full of bags for 14 dinar - about 6 quid.
What are the restrictions on women moving around the city unaccompanied? Nor restrictions as such but common sense applies and dressing conservatively is a must. Dress like a tart at home, or preferably in my house
but on the streets - modesty is the name of the game.What’s the best are to move in to? Regatta, Janzour, Saraj are the best 'out of town' - Ben Ashour ara in town. Aim for the Embassy areas.
Driving on your own or is a driver required? Good question and one that taxes the best HR has to offer. If you are confident, go alone. I drive and am convinced that I am safer than a local driver. If not confident - a driver is a good idea. The driving is far and away the biggest risk out here.
Communications expensive? You mean monthly mobiles? I struggle to spend 10 pounds per month with internal phone calls/texts - including work.
TV sat available? Yes. Sky is pretty weak but there are plenty of other alternatives and I never miss a football match, have all the Sky News, CNN etc. as well as numerous movie channels in English.
Come to Libya. The people are mental but nice and the weather is ace - although it is bucketing it down today
Thanks for the response very helpful.
What's the average cost/rent of a two bed apartment or house? Is the Palm City complex in Janzour? how long to drive to Tripoli from there?
Is there much activity, things to do for expats, suppose a drink is a no no?
Once again many thanks.
Cheers
Nov 19th 2008, 8:18 am
#12
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Re: Libiya
Jim
Thanks for the response very helpful.
What's the average cost/rent of a two bed apartment or house? Is the Palm City complex in Janzour? how long to drive to Tripoli from there?
Is there much activity, things to do for expats, suppose a drink is a no no?
Once again many thanks.
Cheers
Thanks for the response very helpful.
What's the average cost/rent of a two bed apartment or house? Is the Palm City complex in Janzour? how long to drive to Tripoli from there?
Is there much activity, things to do for expats, suppose a drink is a no no?
Once again many thanks.
Cheers
A 2 bed apartment for an expat is anywhere between 3 and 6 thousand USD per month.
Really.
Palm City is right on the beach between Regatta and the expat camp at Janzour. You are looking at around 8 - 10 thousand USD for that.
From there, on a good day 15 - 20 minutes to get into town (I did that late last night) and on a bad day, about 2 hrs is the worst. Usual rush hour day - bank on 45 minutes.
Basically, if you are thinking of coming out here and getting your own, non cost recoverable property I would say forget it. It's ok if the company pays though.
Much activity? Actually yes but in strange ways. There are a number of main societies (e.g. Archeological, British, Caledonian etc.) who organise things and then you get to meet people, find out about private parties etc. I am never, ever bored here.
Alcohol? The general rule for Libya is that everything is impossible although anything is possible
Happy to answer any questions about life in the G. SPLAJ!
Nov 19th 2008, 9:57 am
#13
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5
Re: Libiya
Hi there,
A 2 bed apartment for an expat is anywhere between 3 and 6 thousand USD per month.
Really.
Palm City is right on the beach between Regatta and the expat camp at Janzour. You are looking at around 8 - 10 thousand USD for that.
From there, on a good day 15 - 20 minutes to get into town (I did that late last night) and on a bad day, about 2 hrs is the worst. Usual rush hour day - bank on 45 minutes.
Basically, if you are thinking of coming out here and getting your own, non cost recoverable property I would say forget it. It's ok if the company pays though.
Much activity? Actually yes but in strange ways. There are a number of main societies (e.g. Archeological, British, Caledonian etc.) who organise things and then you get to meet people, find out about private parties etc. I am never, ever bored here.
Alcohol? The general rule for Libya is that everything is impossible although anything is possible
Happy to answer any questions about life in the G. SPLAJ!
A 2 bed apartment for an expat is anywhere between 3 and 6 thousand USD per month.
Really.
Palm City is right on the beach between Regatta and the expat camp at Janzour. You are looking at around 8 - 10 thousand USD for that.
From there, on a good day 15 - 20 minutes to get into town (I did that late last night) and on a bad day, about 2 hrs is the worst. Usual rush hour day - bank on 45 minutes.
Basically, if you are thinking of coming out here and getting your own, non cost recoverable property I would say forget it. It's ok if the company pays though.
Much activity? Actually yes but in strange ways. There are a number of main societies (e.g. Archeological, British, Caledonian etc.) who organise things and then you get to meet people, find out about private parties etc. I am never, ever bored here.
Alcohol? The general rule for Libya is that everything is impossible although anything is possible
Happy to answer any questions about life in the G. SPLAJ!
Is it possible to take this off line and use private email addresses?
Still have quite a few questions and you've been a great help.
Cheers
Nov 23rd 2008, 11:40 am
#14
Senior Moment
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: Libiya
Do you not think it would be useful to keep it on line so everyone is privvy to the good advice and help, after all that is the point of a forum
Nov 23rd 2008, 11:56 am
#15
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 18
Re: Libiya
Good point!
Here's a non specific summary of a few things - you can guess the questions!
As for food, pretty much most things are available bar the 2 obvious big things - alcohol and pork.
However.....I have been here 3yrs now and have probably adjusted to the shops. My diet is pretty simple though. Don't expect the world food you get in a london Tesco or anything but all Italian food, Indian and Asian are pretty much covered.
Meat? All Halal and there are some good butchers here (one in particular lived in Canada for 20yrs as a butcher) so that's never a problem.
Fish? Dearer than you'd think but fresh and excellent.
Fruit & Veg? My favourite things. It is still seasonal here so you will go months without oranges then it's oranges everywhere. Same for grapes. The exotic fruit and veg are hard to find but you adapt and I find going back to the UK now, fruit and veg looks fake and not as cool as it is here, but that's just me.
In a nutshell - personal expenditures are pretty low here, unless you plan on eating out every night. Takeaways are cheap - 3 quid for burger, chips and drink for 2 of us. A tray of Diet Coke costs 3 quid. Big jar of Nescafe under 2 quid. Mars Bar 20p.
Regarding spouses.....
There are clubs/socities/coffee mornings for ladies etc. out there but you have to make an effort to get yourself involved. The 'get up and go' wives out here have a fantastic and varied social life.
However ,there are some wives who complain, sit around the house etc. who soon leave. If one's wife is a hardy soul - she can have one of the best lives going out here, really.
Expats all live in Tripoli or the 'suburbs' - there's no such thing as a major commute. There are 2 main camps (Janzour and Regatta) which house the bulk of the people. Houses in Tripoli can be stunning - but as mentioned earlier - be sure that your company is paying!
Am happy to answer any questions at all about Libya. Fire away!
Here's a non specific summary of a few things - you can guess the questions!
As for food, pretty much most things are available bar the 2 obvious big things - alcohol and pork.
However.....I have been here 3yrs now and have probably adjusted to the shops. My diet is pretty simple though. Don't expect the world food you get in a london Tesco or anything but all Italian food, Indian and Asian are pretty much covered.
Meat? All Halal and there are some good butchers here (one in particular lived in Canada for 20yrs as a butcher) so that's never a problem.
Fish? Dearer than you'd think but fresh and excellent.
Fruit & Veg? My favourite things. It is still seasonal here so you will go months without oranges then it's oranges everywhere. Same for grapes. The exotic fruit and veg are hard to find but you adapt and I find going back to the UK now, fruit and veg looks fake and not as cool as it is here, but that's just me.
In a nutshell - personal expenditures are pretty low here, unless you plan on eating out every night. Takeaways are cheap - 3 quid for burger, chips and drink for 2 of us. A tray of Diet Coke costs 3 quid. Big jar of Nescafe under 2 quid. Mars Bar 20p.
Regarding spouses.....
There are clubs/socities/coffee mornings for ladies etc. out there but you have to make an effort to get yourself involved. The 'get up and go' wives out here have a fantastic and varied social life.
However ,there are some wives who complain, sit around the house etc. who soon leave. If one's wife is a hardy soul - she can have one of the best lives going out here, really.
Expats all live in Tripoli or the 'suburbs' - there's no such thing as a major commute. There are 2 main camps (Janzour and Regatta) which house the bulk of the people. Houses in Tripoli can be stunning - but as mentioned earlier - be sure that your company is paying!
Am happy to answer any questions at all about Libya. Fire away!