bodziub

Hi Everybody!

I'm moving to Bahrain in Feb. next year. I've been given usd18000 - housing allowance and usd6000 - transportation allowance, both annually. Could someone tell me, what kind of property I can rent for the housing allowance? Which districts would you recommend to live in?
I'm moving with my g/f. Do you think it might be an issue that we are not married and we will expect a baby there?
What would you recommend to do with the car allowance? I would like to be free to resign everyday, so I'm wondering what form of financing I should consider? Is it better to buy a car on credit or lease it? Which form gives me more flexibility? Probably leasing is more flexible because I can terminate the contract every time but I will lose all the instalments paid to the date. In the case of credit I'm not sure if I can resign so easily and sell a car and then pay back the credit? Could someone comment on this?
I will really appreciate if you could support me because I have to give a response next week.

lionheart

Firstly, if my arithmetic is correct, US$18,000 per annum will get you bugger-all in Bahrain these days...you will only need a small car as Bahrain is a tiny place so your car allowance should be okay...you may find obstacles renting a property with your unmarried partner... my suggestion would be for the mother-to-be to stay at home with her family and join you later, but few people here will agree with me.

danielcfdz

Hi,

I'm moving to Bahrain next week so I've been inquiring into some of the things you mention. Regarding the car, a friend who lived there for 18 monts says that buying a second hand car might be a good idea provided you choose well. He got his at 4300 bd (1 year old..) and sold it 18 months later at 3850 b. No rentals can't beat this but you're paying for the flexibility (I think they go for 150-300 bd a month depending on the car...). My friend recommends Japanese models as they have a decent resale value...

Regarding the flat rental, I'll be travelling alone and will initially be living in a serviced apartment. Check out my previous posts as there is some discussion on marriage there. My mate advises on looking at ads in the newspaper as agents tend to rip you off. He recommends to drive around and inquire directly in buildings....

Daniel

danielcfdz

oh sorry...I forgot to mention....my girlfriend will be following 3-4 months into my posting...we intend to wear a ring just to make things look normal...

danielcfdz

Hi,

Here's a question for some of the expats on the ground. What is the usual rental standard procedure on the island?

- How many months deposit is required?
- How many months advance payment is required?
- Is the price all inclusive of utilities?
- Is telephone and internet usually installed by the owner?

I've been reading some of the posts on Dubai and paying 12 months up front seems pretty standard. I would have trouble with this.

Hope you don't mind me posting this on your thread...Thought it might be useful.

Thanks in advance

Daniel

bodziub

Thanks a lot!

So at the first glance the housing allowance looks pretty fair..
as well as the car issue is manageable..

Daniel, I've gone through your previous threats and the marriage issue seems to be serious, probably even worse one is expecting a baby - some problems in hospitals may appear...

Thanks again. hopefully some post related to your questions will come.

Take care.

camel jockey

You will have issues not being married here sorry! You will have to provide a marriage certificate to receive the proper documentation that your relationship is "legitimate".

Even if your GF arrives afterwards, in order for her & the baby to get a residents visa, a marriage certificate will have to be provided as well.. Sorry !

lionheart

[QUOTE=bodziub;5598013]Thanks a lot!

So at the first glance the housing allowance looks pretty fair..
/QUOTE]
Excuse me but do you bother to read what we say? The housing allowance is crap...

bodziub

Sorry I misinterpreted your post but anyway when I'm looking at the internet offerings, one can get 2/3 bdr flat for the 550 BD. Is sth. wrong with these offerings?

Rog_Rams

You can get adequate accomodation for BD 550 pm, don't worry on that score. Not luxury, but adequate.

The more important issue is the childbirth in this country. Don't try it - it is a bad, bad idea and will cause you no end of problems.

The moral and legal position on this is vastly different here than it is in a Western country - sorry, but that is just the facts of the matter.

I'd recommend serious thought on your part regarding the job offer and your relationship status.

bodziub

Thanks for the response!

Do you mean that the relationship status might be the main issue for childbirth or do you see childbirth as a problem itself in the country?

Rog_Rams

Childbirth itself isn't a problem........there are hundreds of births here every day!!

And some of my British friends have had their kids here and all was fine.

But, in all seriousness.........without a marriage certificate you and your GF will

1) Have difficulty with admission to the country - (she will have to come on a tourist visa) - and renewing will be difficult as she will not be able to fly in and out, as she will be pregnant.
2) Have difficulty with registering to give birth at a hospital. "Unmarried mother? That is not allowed, you must go somewhere else".
3) If you do manage to have the birth here, then try registering the birth and obtaining a birth certificate...........it will be very, very difficult.

All in all, you have some thinking and some research to do I suggest - good luck.

lionheart

It's also pretty expensive giving birth here. They invariably insist on a caesarian which I believe can cost BD1,000...we had ours in Saudi Arabia so my idea of cost may differ. Don't be deterred about coming to Bahrain to work but just think very carefully about whether you should bring your family, at least for the time being.

camel jockey

Bahrain Specialist is quite well known for its "emergency" c-sections.. price range goes up to BD3000/- (one of my friends but luckily she was fully covered so no worries).

I think I read anyway that your GF was looking at having the baby at home anyway (in the UK) and they were only looking at coming out after.. Even though Bahrain could be considered liberal (?? if you look at our neighbours anyway!!) but it is still a Muslim country and unwed mothers and their offspring are not allowed (for want of a better term). Unwed mothers, yes even westerners, are turned away even from the most expensive of hospitals due to the laws here. If a woman is found to be pregnant and not married, they are reported to the authorities, sounds backwards I know but I believe that you should be fully aware of the situation.

You will be unable to process residents visas without that ever so important (?) marriage certificate..

bodziub

Thanks for this...
I will have to rethink my matrimonial strategy ...