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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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 Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:01 pm Post subject: Is it pretty comfortable not owning a car in Ibra? |
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I'm a solo older teacher and don't feel a necessity to be drinking or partying a lot, so are there compelling reasons why one wouldn't be happy without a car in Ibra (or a similar desert town)? Can I get into places like Muscat for specialized grocery shopping and such easily enough by bus?
Thanks. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting... my first purchase was always a car anywhere I lived in the Gulf... and it was never for drinking or partying, because I don't. (The Gulf is the last place in the world that you want to drink and drive) Living in Oman is like living in American suburbia... the mass transit sucks and most people feel that a car is crucial for daily life.
That said, try it and see how it goes without... if difficulties arise, try leasing a car. If you decide that you want to stay in Oman for a few years, look to buy at the end of the academic year when leaving teachers have decent used cars to buy.
Be sure to have a current driving license from your home country. And/or an international license for an occasional rental. (owning a car requires you to use your home license to get an Omani one)
VS |
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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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Well, at least, transport is provided to and from work. But it will be a real adjustment going from a great public transportation country that far exceeded anything I experienced back in the home country to one that's like American suburbia. Mostly, I reckon it's just a question of getting to grocery shopping and such. I'm not really expecting there to be much to do in a town of 35,000 in the desert except look at the ancient ruins (talking old architectural structures here, not old teachers who've been there forever  )
I figure I'll be very lucky if they have a gym as I like to work out. But, I shouldn't be so spoiled anyway. I should just learn to do body weight exercises that I can do anywhere. This will be a good time to learn them. |
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bookworm2
Joined: 08 Aug 2011
Posts: 20
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| Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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I'm sure you'll find plenty of shared taxis between Ibra and Muscat. A friend of mine used to take them regularly. They're cheap and quick, but you might not be able to squeeze too much shopping in and on the sharp bends you might need to hold on to your hat.  |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:57 am Post subject: |
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| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| Well, at least, transport is provided to and from work. |
Really? Are you sure about this? I never worked for any Gulf employer who provided transport to/from work beyond the first week or so. (it is common in Saudi, but not so much elsewhere) Most places give a "transportion allowance" and you're on your own. You might want to confirm this.
VS |
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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:02 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| Well, at least, transport is provided to and from work. |
Really? Are you sure about this? I never worked for any Gulf employer who provided transport to/from work beyond the first week or so. (it is common in Saudi, but not so much elsewhere) Most places give a "transportion allowance" and you're on your own. You might want to confirm this.
VS |
Yes, it's in the contract. |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:29 am Post subject: |
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OK... perhaps they are doing this in the smaller towns because there is a shortage of taxis.
VS |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| Well, at least, transport is provided to and from work. |
Really? Are you sure about this? I never worked for any Gulf employer who provided transport to/from work beyond the first week or so. (it is common in Saudi, but not so much elsewhere) Most places give a "transportion allowance" and you're on your own. You might want to confirm this.
VS |
Yes, it's in the contract. |
Well, then, I guess that it's written in stone!   |
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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
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| veiledsentiments wrote: |
OK... perhaps they are doing this in the smaller towns because there is a shortage of taxis.
VS |
Lots (all?) of the foreign ESL teachers live in the same building. |
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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:37 am Post subject: |
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| It's Scary! wrote: |
. . . Well, then, I guess that it's written in stone! |
They still write in stone over there? I thought that went out of style right after that Ten Commandments thing.
Guess I'll get lots of resistance training just grading homework assignments. |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 3:01 am Post subject: |
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| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| It's Scary! wrote: |
. . . Well, then, I guess that it's written in stone! |
They still write in stone over there? I thought that went out of style right after that Ten Commandments thing.
Guess I'll get lots of resistance training just grading homework assignments. |
Homework? You expect on assigning homework? Don't put down any roots, bad teacher! |
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madrileno
Joined: 19 Aug 2010
Posts: 270
Location: Salalah, Oman
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 6:29 am Post subject: |
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| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| Guess I'll get lots of resistance training just grading homework assignments. |
Homework? In the Gulf? |
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veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 1:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Far East to Middle East wrote: |
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
OK... perhaps they are doing this in the smaller towns because there is a shortage of taxis.
VS |
Lots (all?) of the foreign ESL teachers live in the same building. |
Oh goodie... 
That is definitely a good news/bad news detail.
VS |
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Myrrh
Joined: 14 Aug 2011
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Far East - You do not need a car in Ibra. Cheap taxis are available all through the town and to Muscat. There are cheap buses to Muscat and Sur as well. There are grocery stores within walking distance. Save your money! (If you're going where I think you are, transport IS provided to and from the school all year long). Read the thread about A'Sharqiyah University before you go. Good luck! |
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Win Some Lose Some
Joined: 06 Sep 2011
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| Myrrh wrote: |
| Far East - You do not need a car in Ibra. Cheap taxis are available all through the town and to Muscat. There are cheap buses to Muscat and Sur as well. There are grocery stores within walking distance. Save your money! (If you're going where I think you are, transport IS provided to and from the school all year long). Read the thread about A'Sharqiyah University before you go. Good luck! |
I already read it, but thanks for the heads up anyway. |
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