mo9292

Hi All

I am currently looking at a potential move to oman Muscat and wanted some advice for all the experienced expats out there. Its just the 2 of us so just wanted to know

what are the preferred areas to live in
shopping centres etc
at the moment only i have will have a job so something for the mrs to do?
what are the standard working hours
Expat bank account?
how often do you visit home?
any restrictions on leaving? Exit visa etc
any other info for a newbie?

OriginalSunshine

what are the preferred areas to live in - depends on what school your children go to

shopping centres etc - lol. Dubai? Erm, but there are a few small malls

at the moment only i have will have a job so something for the mrs to do? - join SGO - women's guild of oman. join a gym. have coffee. volunteer at schools, or charities, or vets, or something. usual expat unemployed spouse stuff.

what are the standard working hours - depends on nationality (seriously) and who you work for. there are ministry guidelines on working hours / no of days but that is generally ignored. big companies Sat-Wed 8 hours a day 7-4 + 1 hour unpaid lunch. smaller companies Sat-Thurs. service companies 24/7. other companies 7-1; 4-7. depends.

Expat bank account? all are terrible. HSBC is the only one you can do internet transfer overseas.

how often do you visit home? as little as possible.

any restrictions on leaving? Exit visa etc. Not really but depends on your job title on your labour card if you want easy road access out of the country. it's illegal for an employer to hold your passport, but some try it on. some employers will give you a flight home after 12 months. others differ.

any other info for a newbie? what's important to you?

mo9292

Original shunshine

thanks for the quick response, as far as living goes we have no children at the moment but i have heard taffic is bad. If i get the job it will be on the airport project so will probably based at the airport

As far as purchasing a vehicle iv been looking at some sites and they are quite expensive (second hand cars) would there be any milage in going to dubai buying one then driving back

OriginalSunshine

the Wave is an expat community based down towards the airport (well, next door). it has its plus & minuses, but for you both without kids, and if you want to minimise your commute it's a good choice. that part of the metropolis is becoming more and more developed with time - as in no way would I have moved there in 2007, but now it is a much more cosmopolitan area.

that said, a lot of the expat lady hangouts are the other end, in MSQ, and Shatti areas. without kids, there's not a huge amount to do down at the athaiba / airport end of town.

2nd hand cars are the same price buying in Dubai and then importing, as they are here. you will also need all your paperwork in order before you do so. that can take up to 6 weeks once you land. it's why a lot of people end up buying new. however, when you get here, get a one or two month rental and take your time looking at expats leaving on local noticeboards, supermarket adverts etc as you wont get the huge dealer mark up. alternatively, look at getting 1 or 2 year leases on a car instead. also think about what you really want. i know so many lads who buy a jeep and use it once a year, and it's really not a safe car in this traffic, nor the easiest to park. there is huge choice here.

2nd hand cars have enormous milage on them here compared to elsewhere, particularly local driven ones as a lot of people drive back to their villages in the interior at the weekends, which at 1000km per journey sometimes can add up quickly!

Oyibopeppeh

I was in Muscat today. It's like a village, compared to even Abu Dhabi.

There is one main road running through the town (they all drive like nutters, but in a more bush way) and everything of importance is based either side of the highway.

I haven't been far outside of Muscat, but the Omani's seem to be the friendliest of the GCC arabs and the place has much more relaxed feel about it.

Tockalosh

Did I pass you in the airport as I was also in Muscat today but now nicely wrapped up in the crowne plaza in Sohar which I must say has the best Columbian band in the Middle East. You are very lucky coming to Muscat, it is the best place in the Gulf for old people. I love it

Cars are cheap in comparison to the UK so check your calculations

mo9292

Hi Have been looking at apartments in the wave. has anyone got any latest snaps of the area as i have heard there is still alot of construction going on and may look like a building site!

Bahtatboy

Pretty much the entire Middle East looks like a building site.

Sandboy

and the most beautiful Algerian barmaid

mo9292

Ok next question
any way to get uk tv channels?

and as far as internet is concerned do i need a vpn to access iplayer etc

Meow

Get a VPN as you'll need it to download decent TV programmes. Local channels are generally a bit rubbish.

Sandboy

not strictly true, you need a vpn to stream but you can download the next day from these sites

uknova - thebox.bz and warezbb will get you 99% of what you need

mo9292

can you access usenet groups from there?

OriginalSunshine

even better, it has topography

Debowing

Another good thing about Muscat is that it is only 5 hours by air to Bangkok...