Job Discussion Forums

[pooroldedgar]

Greetings,

The title likely says it all: I'm new in Ibri and don't know where to stay. I don't know how to find any housing agents (if there are any) or any landlords with furnished flats. I would REALLY appreciate any help anyone could throw my way about how to start.

[veiledsentiments]

Isn't your employer assisting? How about the other teachers? I've never heard of education employers not organizing something for the new faculty.

One option is to go to the supermarket and see if they have a board where people post things. The old fashioned system was to drive around and look for signs, but you would need an Arabic speaker along to help.

Hopefully someone who has lived there will come on and tell us if there are any rental agents...

VS

[JRJohn]

I once lived there and was provided with accommodation. My attitude is that there would be absolutely no point in me going there UNLESS they provided accommodation for me. Living in the Middle East requires you to make certain adjustments. It's not always an easy transition. You maybe need a better job than this.

[laylow]

Ibri is not a great place to be. Anyone who lives there now care to comment?

[somewhereinoman]

I don't think it is that bad at all. It may be remote but there is still a lot to do here and in the surrounding area. In addition, if you compare the salaries paid by agents like TATI and Globnet for native speakers here, it sure beats salaries for positions in many other places in Oman. Check tefl.com and seriousteachers.com and you will see what I mean.

Agreed - you need to find accommodation here and having a car is essential but it is still miles better than contracts I worked on across the border from Oman. There are no estate agents and only two colleges that take on teaching staff regularly. Check the notice boards in the restaurants/cafeterias of these colleges for ads on available accommodation.

Having your ear close to the ground is the best way to find anything. Speak to the locals - they are your best source for information on whatever you need here.

[somewhereinoman]

[Tazz]

These are absolutely 2 Omani towns to be avoided if possible-both would rank pretty highly in terms of 'ESL destinations from hell!' Just to add to the attempt by 'somewhere' to put a positive spin on Ibri....'There is no decent shopping centre'....well the town does have a Lulu shopping centre-opened during June/ July last year-a blessing yes, cos it's well stocked with all the essentials.
'The road between Bahla and Ibri is terrible'-so improvements have been made-so what? What does it say about a towns positive points when one of the key factors becomes how easy it is to get out of there?!
'There is nothing to do'-absolutely spot on there-again, 'somewhere' has to get into his car and go for a drive outside the town in order to engage in some enjoyment of nature. 'Something to do' for me equals-trips to cinema, using the local swimming pool, eating in decent restaurants......should be noted that all of these can be done in Nizwa, but Ibri?
'If all else fails go to the hotel'-yeah, Ibri has a single licensed hotel...with a reasonably stocked bar-I would suggest that this place, 'The Oasis' is the only place that western expat teachers can visit to hang out, socialize and of course drink in this town.
I've only been here a short while and don't intend to stay much longer-in Ibri that is, but am getting a little sick of the 'get into your car and visit the Wadi' brigade-fact is there is little or nothing to do here!

[somewhereinoman]

At least I try to be positive. Your comment is simply filled with negativity. Yes, I am then part of the "Get into your car and visit the wadi-brigade" as you so sarcastically call it.

Your departure will be no loss. Masalaama.

[Tazz]

Just had a chat with my few buddies here....we're going to give the bar a miss this weekend-thinking positively about our day out at the stream 'frog-watching'! Who knows? Maybe we'll even see some spawning action!