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any recent experience in Khartoum?

 
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gypsy woman



Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 18

PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 3:10 pm    Post subject: any recent experience in Khartoum? Reply with quote

If anyone is teaching or working in Khartoum and could provide some info on the cost of living, it would be most appreciated.
If housing is included and pay is $1000 per month, ist that enough to live modestly and save some?
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canadashirleyblue



Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 162

PostPosted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 11:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was in Khartoum in May.
Khartoum is very expensive. $1000 a month is enough to live on but you would not be able to save.
Food is the main expense. It is about 2 to 3x the cost it would be in Canada. An orange juice at Ozone, for example is $4. An ice cream around $1.75 to $3.50. To eat out in the cheapest place I know of (that I would eat at) would be around $10. Most not too expensive meals are in the $15 to $30 range. Brunch at the Hilton is $40 and at the Rotana $75. There is no cheap Western fast food (like McDonalds or Kentucky). You buy fruit and veg at the side of the road. I spent about $10 a week on that. I suppose it depends on what you like to eat but I found that nothing was cheap.
Services are cheaper - like a cleaner - that was about $100 a month for 10 hours. Taxis were reasonable but not cheap. Anything between $3 and $15 will take you on a one way trip to most destinations in Khartoum.
Have you followed the news about Sudan? Because things are hotting up there.
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DesertStar



Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Posts: 80
Location: UAE Oasis

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Most not too expensive meals are in the $15 to $30 range. Brunch at the Hilton is $40 and at the Rotana $75.


I suppose dining at Hilton, Rotana, (and the equivalents of Ozone) have got to be among the most expensive options in any city. Such places are typically frequented by those making big money.

Try eating what the locals eat; local hamburgers, shwrma, and foole. The chicken shwrma is quite good actually Smile, and much healthier compared to McD, KFC, etc. Or try flafel, the veggy option- addictive!

I agree though, Khartoum is expensive.

Good luck!
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mcstrange



Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1
Location: 123

PostPosted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 9:29 am    Post subject: Expensive? Reply with quote

Khartoum is one of the most expensive cities in the world. Let alone Africa. say thank you to the U.N. and all the NGO's for that one.

You wouldn't save a cent of your $1000. In fact you'd have to borrow money to get through the month unless you go totally local.

Even then you would struggle.
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Junka



Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Was in Khartoum in December for the UN, and yeah I frequented Ozone and the bakery it operates.

The local food joints are very good value for money and honestly I found the food better there than the more 'upmarket' restaurants. They were clean and the food tasted damn good. It was cheaper than many African countries I've visited and I've visited a fair few. However, $1000 a month just isn't worth it and as mcstrange already said, you won't make it on that salary.

Also, the schools you'll be working for aren't charities, they charge high fees, of that I can assure you. EFL teachers need to stop undervaluing themselves. NGOs aren't the only people making good money in Sudan, most Westerners do.
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canadashirleyblue



Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 162

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I have eaten in the local food joints too and they were fine. I understand that the liver in spicy sauce is nice but I didn't try it.

However, I did find that the variety was quite limited. Not a lot in the way of vegetable or deserts.

There are no McD's, KFC or any western chains.

And yes, westerners do quite well in Khartoum so don't let employers tell you anything else!
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Junka



Joined: 15 Mar 2009
Posts: 14

PostPosted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 9:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

canadashirleyblue wrote:

Have you followed the news about Sudan? Because things are hotting up there.


Another very good point.
I wouldn't want to be there working outside of a western organization at the moment. When I was last there it was calm and I walked around unharassed but, if it does explode at anytime you need an organization that can get you out safely and keep you up to date with security reports.

Last year the J.E.M. (Justice and equality movement) from Darfur, reached Khartoum with land cruisers and heavy artillery. They didn't do much once in place but it's an example of how quickly things could deteriorate. I was in Douala during the riots last year too and was confined to my apartment for 4 days watching my supplies dwindle to nothing, including drinkable water. Up until then I had always found Douala relatively safe. It's all fun and giggles in African hot zones...until it's not.

Whilst we're on the subject a quick question: Given that the ICC is made up mostly of Europeans, why are the Sudanese government so anti-American specifically?
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canadashirleyblue



Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 162

PostPosted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I worked for Unity High School in Khartoum at the time that they had the teddy bear incident last year. It made me approach the subject of my personal safety a lot less casually.

I remember the demonstration that they had around the school. I remember that they threatened to burn the building down. I remember the guys with their swords making gestures in the air. I remember the throat gestures made to some staff.

I remember the American who was shot dead in the car on his way home from a party at the British embassy that some of the staff from the school had been with him at about 15 minutes before it happened.

I remember the rebel attack on Khartoum. There were bullets in the front of that villa place next to the Nile where westerners go swimming. Some of our staff had to run out the back door down the street to the van and then race across the city past the tanks etc to get home before the curfew. I remember how CNN was showing pictures of Mr Bashir telling the world that everything was sorted when it was definately still going on!

I had an assistant who lived in Omdurman near the main area where the fighting took place. There were dead bodies in the street outside her house. I think around 300 people died. The Sudanese army were inside her house shooting with German guns. She said they were 'bombing' houses in the area and they were going up in flames. They had no electricity, telephone or internet service.

A friend of mine was just telling me about her brother who has been working with an NGO in Darfur. They were expelled. The army came with guns in the middle of the night and ordered them out. They took their cameras, phones etc. At least they didn't have to wait around for exit visas!

Maybe they don't like Americans because Clinton (I think) bombed them. Most countries are not too impressed when another country bombs them.
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Wildcats in the house



Joined: 15 Jan 2010
Posts: 13
Location: Benghazi

PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:52 pm    Post subject: ANYONE OUT IN KHARTOUM AT THE MOMENT Reply with quote

I am looking for any up-to-date info regarding Khartoum - my husband is considering a post with the British Council, and I would be grateful for any recent info, especially from anyone actually out there, particularly regarding safety, but also lifestyle, international schools, etc. Many thanks
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wfh



Joined: 10 Nov 2006
Posts: 30

PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hello,

I'm in Khartoum now. Google kidsinkhartoum for info on international schools (I'm not sure as I don't have school-age children) - they have a good mailing list too and you can ask questions there.

Khartoum is very safe. I love it here, but I'd warn any potential visitors about the heat, the frequent power and water cuts and the cost of living.

Best wishes,

wfh
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Zajko



Joined: 31 May 2007
Posts: 130
Location: No Fixed Address :)

PostPosted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 2:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was in Khartoum recently and found it pretty calm and safe. I had no problems or worries about walking around anywhere during day or night, and the local people are some of the friendliest and most generous I've come across, anywhere in the world. Contrary to what some other posters have stated here, I also found it very cheap there: though I did pretty much live on fuul (the local mashed bean staple, which is passable) and jebbana (Sudanese spiced coffee, which is fantastic). I'm not sure I'd want to work there with a family, especially with young children (not great infrastructure or many mod cons unless you ARE prepared to pay through the nose for them) but it's an interesting place to spend some time if you're primarily looking for the life experience: welcoming locals, interesting culture and not a lot of tourists.
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jai123



Joined: 23 Jun 2010
Posts: 21

PostPosted: Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:02 pm    Post subject: RE: Living in Khartoum Reply with quote

I was in Khartoum 3 months ago. It is a safe and friendly place. There are good schools for those who can afford it. You will need to join a club to get acess to swimming and socialising. Electricity is expensive, but if you can negotiate a good salary �2000-upwards you will live very well.
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