Job Discussion Forums

lovetoteach · Joined: 12 Oct 2011 Posts: 17

Hi!

Could someone give me an insight into life for a teacher in Sharjah?

What's the cost of living like? Are the beaches nice? Good social life or expensive?

Any info. would be much appreciated

Thank you Smile

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

It's cramped and dry.

It's right next to Dubai in some places, Fujairah in others!

Vancouver Vic · Joined: 18 Aug 2011 Posts: 37

Sharjah has very limited social life for expats. You need to go to Dubai and that's expensive because taxis don't want to go and charge extra because of the immense amount of traffic driving from Sharjah to Dubai. Sharjah has a strict dress code. And, it is dry - no alcohol. On the plus side it is cheaper than Dubai.

Badar Bin Bada Boom · Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

Nobody wants to live in Sharjah. Parts of it look like the Gaza Strip and the rest is plain boring and just a tiny step removed from Saudi Arabia. Then add Riyadh-style traffic but even worse! I know people who quit jobs in Sharjah to commute to Ras al Khaimah just because that was easier than commuting within Sharjah. In late 2001 when Dubai Women's College ordered all faculty out of a certain apartment building because of a dispute with the owner, nobody opted for Sharjah even though Sharjah is very close--as the crow flies--to both the college and said apartment building. Everyone found other Dubai accommodations. That might tell you something.

dunteslin · Joined: 20 Jul 2010 Posts: 20 Location: australia

Hey, Bader BBB and VV; give Sharjah the benefit of the doubt.

I taught there and lived there for seven years--before I moved to RAK!
I didn't notice problems with any dress code. And if you want to buy booze Ajman and Um al Qawain are a short ride away. I hated going in the direction of Dubai, because of those foul traffic conditions. I much prefer the Northern Emirates. Sharjah is OK. Give it a chance.

Vancouver Vic · Joined: 18 Aug 2011 Posts: 37

If you get an apartment near the Corniche (where most of the best apartments are) you will never want to leave the building due to the amount of traffic plus you will be charged for parking within the building and that aint cheap. It is an horrendous place - cheap but horrendous. And I do know several women who have been stopped and told to go home and get changed because they were wearing what was classed by the religious police as indecent. They were showing their knees. Embarassed

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

There's religious police in Sharjah? I've lived in Sharjah for years and all I've ever seen are the regular policemen. However, I believe they will tell you to cover up.

Vancouver Vic · Joined: 18 Aug 2011 Posts: 37

Sorry helenl that was me just being dramatic. I have found some policemen in Sharjah very easy going and others not so. Therefore I refer to the not so as religious police - upholding the code.

mimi_intheworld · Joined: 23 May 2010 Posts: 167 Location: UAE

A few friends here in Abu Dhabi elected to holiday in Sharjah over Eid. It was a refreshing break, they say. (I stayed in AD & Dubai and went shopping, as I'm a superficial sort of girl.)