Job Discussion Forums

[itchy_toes]

I am fortunate to have two job offers, one in Bahrain and the other in Oman. The one in Bahrain would be good because my young daughter could attend the school, but I would prefer Oman because it seems more interesting culturally and more stable politically. The pay is about the same but better bennies in Oman. If we are in Oman though I will have to home school my daughter and I'm not sure how much time (not to mention aggravation) that will cause. Thoughts/advice appreciated, thanks!!

[PattyFlipper]

I am something of a lone dissenting voice on these boards in preferring the compact urban environment of Bahrain, with its superior shopping, hospitality outlets, and expatriate lifestyle and facilities, to the rugged landscapes of Oman. This would apply doubly so if I had a child in tow. Your choice may be a little more difficult if the Omani job offer is in Muscat, however I really don't think the scrubby little interior towns in Oman have very much to offer a young Western family. I suppose it would depend how much you and your daughter enjoy the great outdoors, and how enthusiastic you are at the prospect of visiting yet another wadi.

One of the things I dislike about Oman, is the fact that everything is so spread out, making a car an absolute necessity if one wants any quality of life, though with a young child, having your own transportation will be fairly essential in both countries. Most of the Omani Capital Area is just a string of suburbs with an occasional (fairly small) commercial area dotted here and there. Pretty well anything you might wish to do or anywhere you need to go requires at least a 30 to 40 minute drive. Performing two mundane but entirely separate activities such as say grocery shopping and getting a haircut, usually entails driving some distance to different locations.

If your daughter is going to be homeschooled, there will be a sense of isolation and perhaps loneliness, even in Muscat. Additionally, have you given any thought to the logistics of this? Who is going to look after your daughter while you are at work? You will likely need to employ a full-time, live-in maid, as due to distances and lack of public transportation, it may be very difficult to find someone on a part-time basis. In this respect, Bahrain will be much easier.

Bear in mind that outdoor activities are really only possible in the cooler months, but this should also be balanced against the fact that 'Winters' in Bahrain can be decidedly chilly, often requiring topcoats and indoor heating.

The people in both places are generally nice, though I think Bahrainis are better educated and a tad more sophisticated. The history and culture of Bahrain, although somewhat different, can be just as interesting as that of Oman. I generally found it much easier to make friends in Bahrain and there are a lot more easily-accessible leisure activities available. I presume this would also apply to children, though since I do not have any, I am unable to offer the benefit of first-hand experience.

You will definitely need to consider the security situation in Bahrain, and this may actually be the deciding factor for you. Although Westerners have not been directly targeted and are unlikely to be so, lives and routines have been disrupted by the civil unrest and subsequent clampdown by the security forces. Schools have been closed and you may be forced to make a hasty exit if the security situation in the country deteriorates to the point where remaining there becomes untenable.

Personally, I would still choose Bahrain for the greater convenience, better urban facilities and a more interesting mix of people.

[itchy_toes]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for giving such an extensive answer. You've given me a lot to think about. I still need to do some more research and hope I make the best decision. Thanks again!

[rainbowprof]

some places, like in UAE, have homeschooling groups as a number of parents there choose or feel compelled (largely due to costs) to homeschool. KSA schooling benefits can be quite reasonable.

[mesquite]

Take Oman. I worked there before and have just accepted an offer to go back.
Bahrain is still have troubles and is not the best place to be at the moment.

[scot47]

In Bahrain there is an armed insurrection against the state and you are thinking of going to work there ?

[justcolleen]

[johnslat]

Dear scot37,

"In Bahrain there is an armed insurrection against the state and you are thinking of going to work there ?"

Well, it certainly banishes boredom (Iran:1979; Riyadh: 1991) .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlOi6Gl25Lg&feature=player_embedded

Regards,
John

[rainbowprof]