Job Discussion Forums

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 4:03 am Post subject:

We have worked in Turkey, China and now Vietnam... In Turkey, one school (where I lived on campus) dealt with housing. I sorted out the other 4 years' worth of accommodation. In China, I lived in Shanghai and although you get a piddly living allowance the housing is generally up to you to sort out (not so much if you live outside the big cities). Here in Hanoi, it's also up to you to sort out. We had to track down estate agents and deal with it ourselves. I know it's a bit trickier in Oman (lack of furnished housing, fewer options) but surely the teachers who work there have found something?

stanggg · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Buraimi Oman

Wow, some people get two weeks!? We got three days and one realtor who had some wasta with the university. I felt really bad for the teachers who came in the fall. They arrived on a Thursday and received no help on Friday. They were expected to have a place by Saturday.

When you get your job offer start messaging people who are in your city and see if they can get some numbers for you. If you can get there early to start looking that would be great. Also, you might be able to get a place for a month or two. It might end up being cheaper than staying in a hotel for 20 OMR a night for a couple of weeks.

Whatever will be · Joined: 05 Feb 2014 Posts: 303

stangg

Where and how would you get a place for a month or two?

All the places that I looked at the landlords want 12 months in advance rent with 3 months notice if one wishes to break the lease.

Great idea to message the people in your city. How would you know who they are and what their number is? And why would they give up their time, energy and money to house hunt for you?

But yeah...fantastic place Oman. Everything is so easy Laughing

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:51 am Post subject:

So, just to clarify, everything that's crappy about these jobs is the fact that housing isn't included (though there is a housing allowance that seems reasonable based on online real estate/expat info sites). Is that it? What about the work? The reliability of pay? The work environment and facilities? Colleagues?

I'm not looking at this with rose coloured glasses but I'm trying to get a sense of perspective here. We're looking at 1-2 years where we can have daytime work hours, good paid holidays, time to do our MAs, the ability to save some money (and 2 people on OR1350 each should be able to save, whether we have to pay tons of rent upfront or not). I liked the ability to escape out into the desert at weekends when I was in Oman 10 years ago (while based in Dubai). Felt really recharged. Not much of that here in Asia (and heavy pollution) and the money is getting worse and the holidays are crap.

Like I said a few posts ago, with our credentials and situation, where would you suggest we try? I'm asking this with an open mind and willingness to explore new avenues. Oman was just an idea that ticked a lot (but not all) of our boxes.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 7:56 am Post subject:

balqis · Joined: 30 Jul 2006 Posts: 373

Try your luck with Hawthorn. They do employ people with BA degrees. And they will provide housing ready to inhabit for you.

In small remote places in Oman, the major problem is housing shortage, i.e. nothing to choose from. Where I was, this was the major issue, unless you do not mind living in a dog's house.

balqis

madrileno · Joined: 19 Aug 2010 Posts: 270 Location: Salalah, Oman

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 8:59 am Post subject:

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Madrileno,

Great post... balanced and accurate... with no unnecessary hyperbole suggesting that your experience will be what everyone will find.

It ought to be a "stickie"!! Cool

VS

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:59 pm Post subject:

nicole2010 · Joined: 24 Jan 2010 Posts: 25

I think that you will find Oman to be quite well after all the countries you have mentioned that you have taught in and I would not be put off by some of the previous posts. You will need to decide whether you want to live in Muscat where a lot is offered as far as shopping, restaurants or even golf or take a position out in the smaller towns. In Muscat, flats are expensive (300 to 450 omr mo for 2bd flat) and it is possible to spend lots of money going out. However, by choosing a school outside of Muscat it may be affordable to rent a small villa with a garden for less than a flat in Muscat.

If you live in Muscat you will need a car (140-160 omr per mo rental) but in the towns you could get by with taxis and walking. Some nice cities are Sohar and Sur; both on the coast. Sohar is larger but Sur is located in the beautiful Sharkiyya area. I would not recommend Rusaq or ibri (just too small and isolated). If you choose Buraimi, Al Ain (with loads of shopping and activities) shares a border with Buraimi. Niswa has historic character with the sook and falaj. It is very peaceful, safe and beautiful in Oman especially outside Muscat with dramatic beach and mountain landscapes. It is also possible to save money.

As far as recruiters go, its the normal BS one finds in different degrees all over the world. Some provide housing but you are better off negotiating an allowance rather than taking them up on their accommodation. One thing to take into account is the visa situation.

These are the guidelines to consider: 1. Only men can sponsor a family visa, so if your husband finds himself unemployed and you are employed, you cannot sponsor him or your child (the child maybe under an unlikely exception). 2. In order to change employment you need an NOC letter even if you ve finished the contract. This may not be available to both of you depending on the employer and without an NOC expats are banned for two years from Oman. This has become a very contentious issue in Oman. Best of luck.

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 4:14 am Post subject:

Thanks, Nicole- that's really good to hear. To be honest, we're not expecting great things (but a few nice things would be great). We just need a hint of 8am-4:30pm workday stability in a place where we can afford childcare for our little guy and have time to study our MAs for a few years.

I've lived and worked and travelled in the region (though haven't actually taught in the Gulf, just had Gulf students who were studying in Istanbul and know a lot of people who have taught in Oman and UAE) and have a pretty good idea what we are getting ourselves into... just wanted to check a few things before we uproot our family again. Right now, the job scene for efl in Vietnam is a shambles if you are not a 20-something backpacker. Pay is falling, hours keep shifting and employers are cutting corners everywhere. Nice place to live but frustrating for work (students are lovely though).

I'm aware of the visa rules re: sponsoring family (it's on all the application forms). Luckily my husband has his DELTA and lots of university work so is probably more likely than me to be considered (I have the experience but just BA and TEFL cert). If he isn't hired, we won't go. Hoping that being a teaching couple doing our MAs might be seen as an advantage...

yaramaz · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 4:20 am Post subject:

MuscatGary · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2015 7:17 am Post subject:

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Hope things work out for you and that you meet people who can help you out. We had no idea when we arrived and paid really high rents for our town. At one point we were paying OMR200 a month for an apartment. It was only later that we met people in our town who were staying in 2 bedroomed apartments for OMR85 a month. Now we pay less than OMR200 for our villa and we also pay on a monthly basis with no downpayment. In fact all the properties run by our agency charge rent on a monthly basis. They also have a full-time handyman who we can call if we have any problems with our villa.

I am assuming if these options are available here, they should be available in other Omani towns as well.