Job Discussion Forums

[Turbster]

I have done a search, as generally recommended by the senior members, but have been unable to find any recent, or current information.
I would like to hear about the type, quality, and location, of married housing for the Uni of NIzwa, what the roads to Muscat and Dubai are like etc. I'm told that its pretty quiet, which is no bad thing, but, what about, say, a golf course? Is it worth taking my clubs? Social life may be limited, but what is it? Maybe a current teacher could help me out? Google search about Nizwa itself is pretty light on content.
Thanks a lot guys and girls, I'm really positive about the move and the more info the better, ay?

[Pikgitina]

I lived in Nizwa for some time a few years ago. It's a small place. In fact, a lot of smaller villages actually make up the whole of what is called Nizwa. For example, there is Firq, Falaj Daris, Nizwa (proper), etc. On the way to Nizwa from Muscat, one passes through Firq first when using the new highway. The old highway (which eventually joins the new one) passes by the technical college, the Nizwa Hotel, Birkat Al Mawz (where Nizwa U is), Izki, etc. Firq is dusty and lots of goat trucks are parked all over the place at night so their drivers can get some shut eye. There are two or three "good" restaurants here. There are also some okayish cold stores. Some married couples stayed in Firq when I was there.

The Nizwa Hotel is about 10km from Firq. It has a wonderful pool and one can order food to be served by the poolside. There is also a gym and people become members sometimes. The restaurant is OK. It has an "Indian/Pakistani bar" as well as an "Omani bar". These are exclusively for men (women tend to feel very uncomfortable here) as sad-looking Eastern European women sway dismally to synth-cheese tunes as entertainment for those present .

From Firq to Nizwa (the actual town and souk area), one passes the Omantel building (LOTS OF teachers live there in very comfortable flats) as well as the Falaj Daris Hotel. This hotel has two nice pools, two restaurants, a gym and a bar. Lots of expat teachers have memberships there and there is always someone around to grab a meal or a drink with. A similar depressing bar as mentioned already is available at the back. Further on is another hotel as well as Khimji, a supermarket which is not too bad.

Nizwa proper is where the animal souk is (fascinating), the fort and various other tourist offers. Lovely town around a huge date palm oasis. Teachers who live in this area often have large, new flats with superb views.

Muscat is about a 90-minute drive from Nizwa on a great modern highway which can be a real race course at times. One can see the speed monitoring cameras very easily so people simply slow down before they get to them. Not sure how these have changed. It's important to keep in mind that this 90-minute drive gets one to Rusayl so the areas you may be wanting to head to (Khuwair, Shatti Al Qurum, Qurum, etc) are probably another 20 - 30 minutes away depending on traffic. Shatti Al Qurum is lovely .

Dubai is about 5 hours away via Ibri and Al Ain. It's a nice trip. Roads are excellent except for the Nizwa-Bahla part that always got my adrenalin pumping. (Lots of speeding and ludicrous overtaking .)

I haven't a clue about golf courses but I'm sure someone will be able to fill you in.

The camping, wadi-bashing and day-trip options are endless. I recommend Wadi Bani Khaled as a Thursday or Friday full-day outing. It's located near to Ibra and has wonderful pools to swim in.

[veiledsentiments]

As to the housing... according to a friend who is currently there... it varies. Like most employers, they have an inventory of flats and one usually has to take what is open when one arrives. That said... one generally works to stay on the good side of the person in charge of housing so if one gets one of the less desirable units, one can move when a nicer one opens up. None of the housing sounds horrid. It is just that some people prefer something larger or smaller or closer to this or that. In other words, I wouldn't worry too much as things seem to work out eventually. One must be able to go with the flow in these positions... low expectations are usually a good idea.

But, it is the hinterlands and a smallish place. I could be wrong, but I expect that there are not enough expats to support a golf course. But, these days, you just never know what will be done to go after tourists. If you are into camping and hiking and wadi bashing, you will love it up there.

One detail that I heard is that there is a rumor that there will be a significant intake of very low level students next year... likely to be near zero level to low beginning.

VS

[Pikgitina]

[Turbster]

Thanks guys. what you have passed on is really helpful. I do understand the different way that things work in the ME, as I was there for 3 years, in another industry, some time ago. I did regret some missed cultural opportunities then, well, not so much missed, as not the most was made of them, and we are both getting quite excited about returning.
Maybe I'm a bit thick but could you explain a bit more about the 'sad faced eastern dancers'.
Again guys, this is great feedback. Keep it up ay?

[veiledsentiments]

[Turbster]

Thanks VS. I did wonder.....................signs of the times ay?

[Pikgitina]

[papa_74]

How far is the university from town?