Job Discussion Forums

steppy-boy · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 61

Hi everyone,

The situation in Sohar is not getting any better.

Teachers are being evicted from their homes and apartments every week.

There is no where to go expect perhaps to live 40 kms outside of Sohar where rents are a little more reasonable.

PLEASE. IF YOU ARE THINKING OF COMING TO SOHAR. STOP AND THINK!!

The Ministry of Higher Education doesn't care and when you arrive, you will be basically left to fend for yourself.

Stay where you are, at least for this coming academic year.

stoth1972 · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 6:31 pm Post subject: ESL teachers sharing gossip

I heard crazy stories of 3000 dirhams (sorry-didn'get Omani equiv.) month rent. Is this true?

QatarChic · Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 445 Location: Qatar

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 2:48 pm Post subject:

Not sure, though given that Sohar is not a thriving metropolis, I think that's exceptionally high.

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

All relative, I suppose. Compared to Sohar, I believe Doha is a thriving metropolis! Very Happy

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

dmb... have you been to Sohar? It is just barely beyond 'village' status... though it has grown considerably in the last few years.

There must be some big contract job (oil related? port enlargement?) there that has brought in lots of workers who have triggered a housing shortage... and the usual supply-demand rent raises.

Last I heard, 300 OR would get you a very nice place in Muscat - even a decent smallish villa.

VS

stoth1972 · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 4:02 pm Post subject:

I think you're right, VS. Through colleauges currentlyin Oman, I heard that it was a big oil contract. Any others in Sohar who can back that up?

dmb · Joined: 12 Feb 2003 Posts: 8397

VS, I haven't been to Sohar, but as I live in the centre of Istanbul and have done for eons Doha was like a village for me!

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

You could say, Cairo/Istanbul is to Doha, as Doha is to Sohar... or some such thing. Laughing

I don't know if we have any Sohar posters around these days. I remember hearing something about this, but can't remember if it was a big PDO project or an enlarged container port like Jebel Ali... or was it both?

Vs

kuberkat · Joined: 03 Jun 2005 Posts: 358 Location: Oman

Hi, steppy-boy. Good to see you're keeping your head above water, though the rent situation is a real downer. The only solution I know about is to move out of the city and into a neighbouring village. There are obvious disadvantages to this, especially since there may be skepticism about foreigners, but it will keep your rent under control- at least until urban sprawl sets in.....

Tarka_littleotter · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 69 Location: Oman

Hi,

Just thought that given that I'm in Sohar I might add some personal experiences.....

Rent prices here are higher than they were about 18 months ago (apparently) and yes, it is because of the increasing number of workers at the port nearby. However, I have a nice place and my housing allowance covers it. The housing allowance at one of the colleges is more than enough, at the university it has just been increased.

Yes, it may be difficult to find somewhere and I agree that you don't get a lot of help trying, but it can be done and it doesn't have to be a struggle.

There ain't much going on here so what else are you planning on spending your money on anway??!! Smile

I like it. (But then my boss is reading this!!! Wink

)

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

Hey Tarka... maybe you should get a second screen name so that you can tell us the real situation... Laughing

Tarka_littleotter · Joined: 12 Sep 2005 Posts: 69 Location: Oman

Now that would be cheating!!

To be honest from my own personal experience what I said above is trure. I know some people are finding it hard trying to find cheap places to live but they are around, you just have to spend some time trying to find them. They don't just fall out of the sky and land in your lap.

With regard to living further out of Sohar, the closer you get to the port the more expensive rent is - obviously. If you take about a 30 mintue drive away from Sohar the rent can drop to about 40 rial a month for a 3 bedroom flat/villa. I guess it depends on whether you'd rather be close to work or live somewhere cheap.

drunken sailor · Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 2

Hi,

We (2 small kids and two average sized adults) are moving to Sohar. Could anyone recommend a real estate agent or a place where I could begin my accom. search? We are a flexible bunch who don't necessarily need super modern, super-chique luxury living. Of course, sea-views always make life that extra bit better though... Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.