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How much money should I bring to settle in?
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haziran



Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 23

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 1:27 am    Post subject: How much money should I bring to settle in? Reply with quote

My contract stipulates an amount for monthly rent, but there's nothing in there about how much it will cost for move-in fees for the actual apartment in terms of deposits, turning on utilities, etc. Can someone currently on the ground give me a rough estimate about how much cash in hand I'll need to bring? The apartment will be just for me, so I'm guessing the 300 OMR they allotting for that should be enough for something small but decent.

Thanks!
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It might be helpful if you mentioned where in Oman.

VS
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haziran



Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 23

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 2:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh yes, sorry! I will be in the Muscat area.

Cool
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Duffy



Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 449
Location: Oman

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 3:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Who are the agents?? If it is CfBT then they provide you with furnished accomodation. They even used to provide a "welcome" food pack, don't know if they still do.

Duffy Laughing Laughing
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StampLover



Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 83
Location: Salalah, Oman

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 6:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

300 will not be enough.

Are you planning on renting a car? 150 rials
Housing? on the cheapest end 500 rials total (not rent), 1st months rent and to furnish it with the basics.

everyday living is probably 10 rials a day on the expensive end but can be done way cheaper.

I came with 1000 rials and that was tight. Yes, I did rent a car. It is not that cheap to furnish a place because they come bare empty.

1000 seems like a lot but having to furnish a place and wait a month for a salary is needed.
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happyroofus



Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 10:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

300OMR pm is definitely not enough for Muscat, but sufficient for most other towns and cities.

HR
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haziran



Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 23

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 4:59 pm    Post subject: apartment listings site Reply with quote

Hey all, I found this site, baitoman.com, and upon doing a quick search, found what appeared to be several apartments in Muscat for 300 OMR or less:

1. http://www.baitoman.com/listing/1-bedroom-apartment-in-darsait%2C-muscat-20822.html

2. http://www.baitoman.com/listing/apartment-in-al-mawaleh%2C-muscat-21737.html

3. http://www.baitoman.com/listing/1-bedroom-apartment-in-ghubrah%2C-muscat-19613.html

Are these places not in respectable/livable areas? Or are there hidden fees I'm just not seeing here? I tend to believe the word of folks on the ground more than I would a website, but this seems to show there could be affordable housing in Muscat after all.

More than a bit confused here!

Confused
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happyroofus



Joined: 08 Oct 2010
Posts: 80
Location: Middle East

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are they furnished? It'll cost you serious additional mulah if not.

If you have to furnish, best bet is hit the household classifieds near the back pages of in "The Week" (is free and comes out every weekend) and pick up many items for sometimes half their shop prices, esp if someone is leaving country and it's a last minute sale for them. You'll need to rent a pick-up to do this though.

Looks like you'll need a car, so add another 150 OMR (+20 OMR pm gas) for a rental, or buy one for less than 3K from an esl'er who's leaving - check the notice-boards at Al Fair SQ or the dealerships listed in The Week. However, as always, get any car inspected before puchasing, as many off-road personal vehicles here.

Good luck.

HR
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haziran



Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 23

PostPosted: Fri Jun 03, 2011 5:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

roofus

The apartments in these listings appear to come unfurnished, but do include air-conditioning! So that's a plus, I'd gather. Wink Thanks for the tip on used/cut-rate household items. I figure in the worst of cases I can always bring an inflatable air mattress with me and sleep on that for the first month! I'm pretty low-maintenance as a general rule...

hz
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posh



Joined: 22 Oct 2010
Posts: 430

PostPosted: Tue Jun 14, 2011 10:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

- Just chuck a rug on the floor.
- Get take-aways from restaurants so you can build up a supply of plastic plates and cutlery.
- Chinese TV about $70
- Go native and forget about mincing about on chairs and sofas.
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urbanversion



Joined: 27 Jan 2011
Posts: 426

PostPosted: Fri Jun 17, 2011 3:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Go native and forget about mincing about on chairs and sofas


That's just GW type advice. The fact is if you are here as a westerner, you didn't fly here to sit on the floor and just sleep on a mattress....
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posh



Joined: 22 Oct 2010
Posts: 430

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

urbanversion wrote:
Quote:
Go native and forget about mincing about on chairs and sofas


That's just GW type advice. The fact is if you are here as a westerner, you didn't fly here to sit on the floor and just sleep on a mattress....


Speak for yourself. Beds are for wimps.
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Middle East Beast



Joined: 05 Mar 2008
Posts: 836
Location: Up a tree

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

posh wrote:
Speak for yourself. Beds are for wimps.


Beds are for wimps?

You should practice what you preach and speak for yourself.

I like beds, and considering that we spend a third of our lives there, it would make sense to splurge on a bed if nothing else.

Pleasant dreams!

MEB Cool
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veiledsentiments



Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about the old "mattress on the floor" system? Add a comfortable chair, lamp, TV, and kitchen appliances... what more does anyone need? Cool

VS
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Duffy



Joined: 29 Oct 2005
Posts: 449
Location: Oman

PostPosted: Thu Jun 23, 2011 4:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What a load of rubbish!!!!! typical of the "VS" and "UrnabVision"!!!! Totally out of touch with us here in the Middle East.
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