Job Discussion Forums

[Sydney2002]

Hi everyone

I spoke with a co-worker of mine who lived in Oman for about four years. She said that public transportation was VERY expensive there, especially in Muscat.

Is this true? Is it possible to live in Muscat and not have a car? I know that it's probably a necessity for any other part of the country, but I was kind of hoping the capital would be an exception.

Thoughts?

[Turbster]

By public transport, you can only mean taxis, and baiza buses!

Both are 'cheap as chips' once you get your head around the haggling/take it or leave it process.

Taxis: My wife just jumps in, says where she is going and how much she will pay Shared taxis are even cheaper!

Baiza buses: Take you in the 'general direction' of where you are going, but are rarely an option for females, with so many men on board!

[veiledsentiments]

Actually some have posted here that a car isn't as crucial out in the hinterlands - in the smallish towns and villages - as it is in spread out Muscat. I don't believe that Turbster is in Muscat.

Basically Oman (and the rest of the Gulf) is like American suburbia. One can rarely, if ever, find a bus that goes from wherever you are to wherever you need to go. Rarely is your housing in walking distance of shopping. And taxis do become expensive to use regularly... and often are hard to find.

In both of my stints in Oman, I had a car within days of arrival. I would consider a car to be one of the most important things to have to make your life there pleasant, but then I'm American and we do love the convenience of our own wheels.

VS

[Nolan Chance]

[Sydney2002]

I am not a guy. And I do like to walk around. This is exactly why I started this thread. I am a frequent walker, as I have some problems with motion sickness. I've walked for as long as two hours one way to get where I need or want to go in other countries I've lived in, even in blistering heat (which I tend to like). If it's too far, or I'm in a huge hurry, I will take public transport.

In my country, I have a car. It's not really an option. I would still like to think it is an option in Muscat. I recently had the pleasure of meeting an Indian couple from Sohar who told me that a car is necessary everywhere in Oman except the capital. And the wife seemed not at all bothered by the idea of walking around in Muscat. I told her that motion sickness was a problem for me.

And for those of you who think that driving yourself can avoid motion sickness, I humbly beg differ! I make myself sick at least once a week. I got carsick just now driving home in rush hour traffic where I currently live. I guess I have some pretty serious problems with my equilibrium...

Thanks for all the replies!

[Vanica]

Maybe you have had an inner ear infection with resultant labyrinthitis. If so, taking anti-motion sickness medication delays recovery, which is very slow and may take years. Your damaged inner ear has to learn to compensate (or maybe it's the undamaged one). Good luck with it, anyhow!

I'd also like to find a walkable place. I guess Dubai central would fit, but I would hate to hear the discos all night long.

[Turbster]

VS and Nolan are correct! Oman is a 'car kind of place', as much for the fact that you need a car to see and appreciate all that is Oman. You have this motion sickness issue, which may, in fact, prevent you taking employment in such a climate as that Oman offers. I don't know, I'm not medical!

What is certain though is that if you are coming to work in Oman, and do not get a car, in my opinion you are missing out on all of the good things that Oman has to offer. We've been here for a few years, and just last weekend found a new camping and fishing spot where the camping was clean, quiet, and safe, the hamour are plentiful, where the sand was clean and gold, the swimming and snorkeling was gorgeous, and the oysters on the rocks.......tasty as! Without our car, we would never find such places.

[Nolan Chance]

[Sleepwalker]

I have been around Oman for over six years (Salalah and Muscat) and I've never had a car. I use taxis and buses and have a contract with a taxi driver who covers taking me to and from work. I choose housing near the main roads and have had few problems. As for the students, I just say that I don't like driving and none have shown disrespect. Believe it or not, I know many single women who do not drive and get around with public transport - ignore the naysayers, it can be done.

[Sydney2002]

Thank you, Sleepwalker.

This is actually very helpful. I don't think a car is going to be an option for me. I'm used to dealing with motion sickness (while behind the wheel) in my own neighborhood and in my own country. I don't think I will be able to deal with this in a foreign country. Unfortunately, the over the counter meds used for this kind of thing do not help me. I can get queasy on an escalator!

I have spoken to several women regarding the "issue" of women walking around unaccompanied in Muscat. They advised me to just be aware of my surroundings and mindful of my dress. I interpret that to mean that arms and legs may need to be covered and clothes shouldn't be too tight. That won't be a problem for me either.

Walking really is my only option, especially when I first arrive in a new place. I will sometimes take a cab for a partial distance and then get out so that I can walk off the nausea.

Thanks everyone for your comments!

[veiledsentiments]

This is one of those 'wait and see' things. If you find that it is very difficult to find a taxi in your neighborhood or you have trouble finding a dependable regular driver, you could lease a car for a month and see how it goes. Oman is very flat in the area where you will be. I'm assuming that your housing won't be too far away from your institution... and you can restrict your driving to your work commute... and a quick trip to the nearest super market. For the most part, the roads are good there.

VS

[Opti]

I've lived in Muscat for 6 years and I'm female. I agree with VS, Nolan, and Turbster that you will probably need a car in Muscat, depending on where you'll be living and working.

If your workplace is near affordable housing and you are able to choose your own place, then walking to work would likely be feasible, though there may be no sidewalks and drivers are often speeding and reckless. But, as VS says, there may be no useful shopping nearby and taxis are often hard to find in certain areas or at certain times.

Or, your employer may assign you to housing that is inconvenient for walking or public transportation.

Some teachers I've worked with don't have cars and they make arrangements with a taxi driver to take them back & forth from work, but if your teaching schedule changes, it might be difficult for the taxi driver to adjust his schedule, so you might be stuck on campus longer than you'd like. You won't be able to walk to all social events, so you'll need a taxi and they may not be around. Then, you'll have to ask friends or colleagues for rides, which can be inconvenient and annoying to them after a while. The same thing if you have an appointment for medical care or a haircut, etc. Taxis are not always around, especially in the afternoons when drivers like to take a rest or on weekends and holidays when many of them go back to their villages to see their family.

There are usually no seat belts available in taxis and the drivers are often reckless. Some will make passes at you, so be prepared for that. Some will also charge you more than they would an Omani.

As Turbster mentioned, to get out and see the countryside and villages and enjoy many outdoor activities you would likely need a car.

Even on the job, you may be assigned to a teaching location that is quite distant from your office. If you don't mind having to walk for 20 minutes one way in the broiling sun and humidity, getting all sweaty, well then, good for you. Just be sure to use lots of deodorant and body powder, because otherwise you'll be a most unpleasant office mate! I speak from miserable experience cooped up with stinky colleagues who work out or bike or walk all over in the heat without adequate deodorant or showering afterwards. Very inconsiderate of them!

Just keep an open mind when you get here.

[Sydney2002]

Opti

How rude of them indeed! Ha!
I'm very hygienic. But walking in the heat is really not a problem for me. I enjoy it. I typically wait until the hottest part of the day to go out and jog or run.

The no sidewalks thing could be an issue though. I agree with VS that this will be a 'wait and see' situation. I'm not opposed to the idea of making arrangements with a taxi driver to pick me up and drop me off.

Again, guess I'll just really have to put it all in God's hands and wait and see.
Thanks again, everyone!

[Opti]

Good luck to you, Ms. Sydney2002!

[madrileno]

I for one, would never rely on public transportation here, even taxis.

At the two locations I've worked at in Oman, the public transportation was unreliable and sporadic. Buses normally were hours late of their scheduled arrival/departure. Also taxis aren't metered. This leaves foreigners, especially unsuspecting newbies to the Gulf at the mercies of the local taxi drivers.

Even the transport provided to teachers by the company I work for to and from our school has been unreliable. People who don't have a car and take it regularly have complained on more than one occasion of it being late or not coming at all....

Getting a car, either renting or buying, is the way to go. At least in my opinion.