Hi..advice needed from you seasoned pro's.i fly out to goa next week on a 1 year employment contract and new chapter in my life. the accommodation and health care all part of the package.im single,not really into the rave/party scene..but what can i expect from the nightlifel...how about the locals,trustworthy or not...what about supermarkets.anything like the uk..also how do people travel about goa,is the transport system safe?
also are there any pleasant suprises awaiting me
any advice will be appreciated,thanks

After living on Goa for 6 years ive come to expect something different everyday and sometimes not positive, my personal advise to you is be very wary of everybody locals, indians and some FN's i'm ashamed to say, do your research into prices, avoid the big supermarkets as they are a rip of, stick to the local shops /markets and you'd be best sticking to local bars as they are alot cheaper.
People mostly use rented bikes and scooters but the roads are very dangerous ( the other people on them) they dont look coming out of turnings and overtake and dangerous times, car would be safer or theres always the local bus can get to most places on these very cheap 5-10rps a journey but usually packed but worth the experience, i used to go from arpora to mapusa everyday for 4 months with no problems.
As for nightlife its really a case of what u like, and looking in magazines etc, mamboos and titoos is a mixture of different music they are open late, club carabana is now closed for good weve heard!!!! different hotels have various artists in season every nite in season, cavaella in the baga road has 70's nites on saturday throughout the monsoon think you just have to look around.
Anyway good luck in your new venture, think the usual precautions you need to take when aboard anywhere and you'll be fine.

Carry a framed photo of the Royals, some chlorine tablets and a roll of tissue. Dont drink the water unless youve checked its been bottled properly and watch out for the shysters all day every day. No one is an authority on Goa and no one is in authority either....bit like being on a camel up the Khyber!!!!.

Isn't it sad that you both, who like us, loved Goa are giving the same advice, what has happened to the place we felt safe and happy in for the last 15 years. First timers will see it through different eyes than us.

Enjoy yourself, trust nobody, look at manufactures prices on the packets especially in Newtons Supermarket and don't pay any more.

Learn to say in a loud voice HOW MUCH!! especially in Kashmiri shops and to beach traders.

hi mikey
you didnt say where in goa you are going, is it north or south? and do you know the name of where you are staying, (village or town i mean)

maybe then some of us could recommened a few bars or shops ect to go to until you find your feet, & find goa for yourself, as the others said you will see everything through different eyes to us, but just be wary of anything that seems to good to be true because in goa it usually is!!!

hi all,thanks for your replys..im staying at the villa paradiso complex,betim,north goa.

In simple terms: everyone wants your money and will try to get it from you by hook or by crook. Not unusual, except that nowadays there's no recourse or protection, and even the social graces that once went with it all have sunk out of sight. Be especially cautious of the kashmiri salespeople and the "urchin" types. They all carry cellphones and communicate all around you and you could find yourself manipulated more than you would want to be...same with taxi drivers who will make you feel like a family member but will almost certainly milk you of every penny even after you return to the UK. Dont believe the poverty sob stories....even the beggars have taken over land and property and no one is starving....they are fantastic actors. Can only hope your "employer" is above board.

Betim is not really the best place to live in Goa. Near to Panjim via the ferry and has a very good fish market but that is about all.
Thank goodness you have health cover although the hospitals in Goa are very good as are the dentists if you can find a good one.
Going next week is not the best time of year although give it a couple of months and you will be ok.
Find a taxi driver you like - they will all rip you off if they can but if you have one you like it is not so bad. We have good one = he is good company but still tries it on.
Are you going to work at Villa Paradiso?

im staying at villa paradiso complex,as for driver,the company will supply me with a personal driver,,i will be working on one of the new casino's ships opening next month.

Good luck, there has been a lot of negative media coverage about the new casino boat, goans do not want them here, lets hope they dont win.

Forget all this negativity,however well intended it is.
It ain't really that gloomy, in my opinion.
Go with the flow, take it as you find it, and of course make use of the experience.
I'm sure you'll have a great time and an enlightening period ,for however long.
At least you are getting paid for it (hopefully).
We all have to pay to discover Goa and it's quirks!

Good Luck to All

well said enfield, this is just about what i meant a few days back, we all see it through different eyes to begin with, rose coloured glasses i think its called, but it will be an experience you will never forget mikey,
also we should be trying to help him not scare him to death,
sorry cant help you with your area for bars, shops ect but your a free ferry ride across to panjim, the main city centre!!
good luck mikey,

thanks for the good luck and advice,seems like i've got to keep my eyes open,anyway still in london waiting for my visa,its been 9 days so far,the old system,i would of had it on the same day. i haven't been impressed with the red tape in london and india so far.hope things improve.