LifestyleLiving in UAELiving in QatarLiving in OmanLiving in Bahrain

Living in UAE In order to work in the Emirates you must have a valid employment visa and to live (rent a property, open bank accounts, buy cars) you must have a valid residency visa.

The company that you work for will arrange for your visas to be processed and will inform you of any further paperwork that is required. Read more….

VisasIn order to work in the Emirates you must have a valid employment visa and to live (rent a property, open bank accounts, buy cars) you must have a valid residency visa. The company that you work for will arrange for your visas to be processed and will inform you of any further paperwork that is required.

Once in Dubai, there may occasionally be arequirement for you to leave the country and return in order to ‘activate' or renew your visa. Your company will inform you whether this is necessary.

Visa rules and regulations are prone to change by the government, however your company should keep you updated of any further requirements. The visa charges for employees are almost always paid for by your employer however sometimes that cost is clawed back if you leave before a certain period of time - under six months for example.

Banks

Many international and local banks are represented in Dubai. You will be able to open a bank account when you first arrive, although you will not be able to use all the facilities – notably cheque books - until you have a residency visa. You will be able to get a credit card, however.

Cheques are important in Dubai - you will need to deposit cheques with your landlord when you take your tenancy, and leave tens of cheques when you buy a car - if you take a loan.

Usually your company will have a preferred bank which should be willing to offer services such as car and housing loans and will be more helpful when it comes to opening your account and administering the paperwork. Choosing a bank will depend on your personal needs.

Travel within Dubai The only way to travel within the emirates is by car. Taxis are relatively cheap and easy to find.

Major hire car companies are represented in Dubai with the most economical car costing approximately Dhs.1500 per month (approximately £250). You are able to drive a hire car in the Emirates using some international licenses.

Buying & running a car

Buying a car in Dubai is relatively simple. You must hold a residency visa and you may need finance. The car must be insured and registered. This can be taken care of by the agency you are buying the car from, but it is worth shopping around for the best interest rates and lowest insurance premiums.

Finance

The finance can be taken between 1 and 4 years. Interest is worked out yearly, and most often offered on a "flat rate" as follows:-

A car costing Dhs.50,000 over 4 years will cost 50,000 x say 5% interest = 50,000 x 5% = 2,500 = 2,500 x 4 years = 10,000 = 50,000 + 10,000 / 48 months= Dhs.1,250 per month

Payment to the lender may be done by direct debit but more commonly it involves writing out the appropriate number of cheques, i.e. finance over 48 months could mean writing and signing 48 post-dated cheques.

Driving Licence

In order to drive anything other than a hire car you must have a valid UAE driving license. Holders of valid British (and some other) driving licenses can obtain a UAE license without an additional test. As soon as your residency visa is completed, it is illegal for you to drive in the UAE on anything other than a valid UAE license.

Companies often assist new employees obtaining the license although it will require your presence at the traffic police HQ for a few hours.

The form must be typed in Arabic.You will also need to pass an eye test (cost approx. Dhs.25) which is available from most opticians or can be done at the Dubai Traffic Department when applying for the licence.

If you do not hold a relevant international license you will be required to take a series of lessons and then a test. This can take a period of several months.The UAE driving license is valid for 10 years. It is the responsibility of the employee to ensure your license is valid.

Paperwork required: Valid residence visa, existing driving license, application form, passport copy and original and eye test certificate.

Cost: For transfer from UK to UAE license approx. Dhs.150.

Insurance

Look out for all the usual catches. If you are buying a 4-wheel drive, for example, ensure that the car is insured offroad and in Oman. The insurance usually covers the car, regardless of the driver as long as he/she has a valid UAE license. Get full advice and details from your insurance agents.

Paperwork required: UAE driving license, passport copy and existing registration.

Cost: Approx. 4 - 6% of vehicle value

Registering your car

This can be taken care of when you first buy your car, but has to be renewed every year. You will need to have any driving fines paid in full before renewing the registration (see below). There is a charge for vehicle registration.

Paper work required: License, existing registration and insurance. It has to be fully insured before registering.

Cost: Approx. Dhs.360

Driving offences

It is essential that you obey and respect the laws of the UAE. Apart from the police patrols and checkpoints that it is possible to be stopped at, there are a number of speed cameras around the Emirates. These will take a picture of a speeding car and the driver will incur a fine. Occasionally this is sent to you but more often then not, the first you will hear about it is when you come to re-register your car - It has been known for the number and amount of fines to come as an unpleasant surprise.

Different emirates have different levels of fines and the fine often has to be paid in the Emirate in which the offence was committed (i.e. you will need to drive back to Fujairah to pay a for an offence committed there). You can keep yourself aware and pay the fines regularly by calling an automated system.

Hospitals & Medical facilitiesHospitals in the Emirates can vary in quality although the level of facilities in both public and private hospitals is high. Should you require regular treatment from a specialist you should ensure that there are trained staff and medical centres before you arrive.

Alcohol licence

Although alcohol can be bought and consumed in the majority of the Emirates, it should be remembered that, as an Islamic country, the UAE has strict alcohol sale and consumption laws.

You are allowed to drink in licensed bars and restaurants as long as you are not a Muslim.

It is illegal to buy, transport or keep at home alcohol without an alcohol license.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol.

Non-Muslim residents in possession of a liquor license can only buy alcohol in the UAE from special licensed retail outlets. The license entitles you to purchase a prescribed amount of alcohol per month and can only be used in other emirates to that in which it has been issued, if the police of the other emirate(s) has endorsed it.

Sharjah does not permit the sale or purchase of alcohol within its borders.

Paperwork required: Passport - original, passport - copy, employment contract - copy, 3 passport photographs, Tenancy contract - original

Cost: Approx. Dhs.250.

You must: Be a resident and have a monthly salary exceeding Dhs.4,000. Allow approx. 4 weeks for completion.

Living in Qatar can be a wonderful experience, thanks to the well maintained streets and locals of the Arabian peninsula. Qatar is making a huge amount of profit in the oil and refineries which is also a major reason which is why the country is able to spend so much on its big events and improvements for its residents. Qatar Living can be real fun as the country hosts a wide range of sports events like Tennis, Golf, Squash, Motorcycle racing, Powerboat racing, Athletics, Football and Sailing, in which the residents are allowed a free entry! Read more….

Living in Qatar is made easy and relaxing due to the liberal Islamic regime which dos not produce hindrance to the restaurants and nightclubs in the country. Housing facilities are however suffering a bit at this moment due to the shortage in the property and a corresponding heavy workforce. This is also one of the main reasons why most of the job opportunities in Qatar are accompanied by a lodging facility. Housing facility is an important aspect of Qatar Life and is usually accompanied with personal swimming pools and secured compound areas.

Doha, the capital city of Qatar offers excellent studying environment in its various schools, colleges and institutions. The schools are mostly designed in accordance with the French, UK and US systems.

Life in Qatar will be meaningless without experiencing the variety of options offered by Doha like Site seeing, Shopping, Kite surfing, Sailing, Wake boarding and Fishing. There is however no specific means of public transport in Doha apart from the taxi services which are quite affordable. Most of the inhabitants of Qatar own private cars. Even the companies provide company cars or car allowance as a part and parcel of the job package.

Living in OmanThe Sultanate of Oman encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms and is home to approximately 2 million people. Around 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other Arab countries, Europe and USA.

The country's climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior.Read more….

Capital Muscat

Government Monarchy with a provisional legislature (the Majlis Ash Shura)

Head of StateHis Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Major industriesOil, natural gas, agriculture, and fishing

Ruling body His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said is Head of State and rules by decree. He is assisted by a cabinet of ministers, Diwan of the Royal Court (the central body of bureaucratic affairs), and the Majlis Ash Shura, a body of representatives elected by the populace.

Population Approximately 2 million. Around 1.5 million are Omani nationals. The remaining are expatriates from India, Asia, other Arab countries, Europe and USA.

Area The Sultanate encompasses an area of 300,000 sq kms.

AirportSeeb international airport, 40 km from Muscat city centre.Seeb International Airport, located in Muscat, serves many international airlines such as British Airways, KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and Emirates. The national carrier is Oman Air, which flies to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan, Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well as performing domestic flights to Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.

Climate

The country's climate is predominantly arid and varies slightly from one region to another. In the coastal areas, the weather is hot and humid during the summer months, while it is dry elsewhere in the interior. Milder weather dominates the mountains and Dhofar region all the year round. Winter temperatures can be as low as 15°Celsius and summer temperatures can be as high as 48° Celsius in Muscat and as high as 54° in the desert.

Dhofar, located in the southern region of the country however, enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October, every year.

Average Temperature in Oman (in Degree Celsius) Summer Winter

Day Night Day Night Muscat 43 C 32 C 25 C 17 C Salalah 30 C 28 C 28 C 20 C

Best Time to visit

The best time of the year to visit Oman is between October and April, when the weather is pleasantly warm in the day and cool in the evening. Temperature averages at 25-35 degrees centigrade during the day and dips to 17-19 degrees centigrade at night.

• Religion Islam, predominantly Ibadhi sect.

Language Official language is Arabic. Other languages spoken include Urdu, Swahili and Baluchi. English is widely spoken and along with Arabic is the common business language. Most Hotel staff speak German and French as well.

Culture Like all the Arab countries, Arab Islamic Culture dominates the life style in the Sultanate. However, being an international market, people of various other nationalities are also present.

• National Dress - Men dishdasha (robe) Kimah (cap) mussar (turban)

• National Dress - Women jallabia (dress) sirwall (trousers) thobe (overdress cloak) lahaf (head shawl) abaya (black cloak) Women generally leave their face and hands exposed, while in the desert, women of the Bedouin tribes wear a mask, called a "birqa."

• Working Hours Ministries and government establishments: 7:30 am - 2:30 pm (Sat-Wed, week-end is Thursday and Friday) Private sector companies: 8:00am - 1:00pm; 4:00pm - 7:00pm (Saturday-Wednesday) 8:00am - 1:00pm on Thursdays. Markets: 8:00am - 1:00pm, 4:00pm - 9:00pm. Banks: 8:00 am - 12 noon.

Timings differ during Ramadân. Ramadân, the holy month of fasting, is the ninth month on the Arabic calendar which is a lunar calendar. Every year Ramadân shifts back about ten days on the western solar calendar. In the year 2001 Ramadân will begin in the third week of November. Restaurants and other eateries are closed during daylight hours during the Holy Ramadân period.

• Shopping hours

Shopping establishments are open from 9am to 1 pm and 4pm to 9 pm. Department stores, supermarkets and shopping complexes are open throughout the day during Ramadân from 9am to 10 pm, with a short lunch break all through the week, except Fridays. These timings could vary with different shops.

• History

Archaeology in Oman is still very much in its infancy. Prior to 1970, only one excavation had been sanctioned in the south of the country. However archaeologists are currently in the process of making exciting discoveries in the Ras Al Hadd area, with remains dating back to the fifth millennium BC and possibly even earlier. It is felt that from this area, perhaps for the first time anywhere in the world, man started to embark on ocean travel. By the third millennium BC, the harbours on the northern coast were on the margins of the trade routes linking Mesopotamia to the Indus Valley. This area then known as Magan was the original source of copper to the ancient world. It supported large communities whose only visible remains now are the plethora of hill top tombs still easily viewed today, if one knows where to look.It is still not known what led to the decline of this area, but one prime suspect is environmental degradation, caused by overpopulation and deforestation due to the need to smelt the copper ore. Trade with Mesopotamia seems to have ended by 2,000 BC, and this isolation in the north continued for more than a millennium until the region became incorporated into various Persian empires.

The area in the south of modern Oman however, together with what is now part of Yemen, became the source of most of the world’s Frankincense. At that time this product was as valuable as oil is today and led to the region becoming a major centre of commerce and great wealth, until its decline after the third century AD. (Pliny writing in the first century AD, stated that control of the Frankincense trade made its people the richest in the world at that time!)

• The Arabisation of Oman began around the first century AD, with the migration of Arab tribes from what is now Yemen to south-west Oman. This was caused by the collapse of the Ma’rib dam, and the civilisation it had encouraged. Omanis pride themselves on being among the earliest converts to Islam around 630 AD, and Omanis played a vital role in the spread of Islam to southern Iraq and the conquest of the Persian Empire.

• A major theme in Omani history has been the split between the coastal and inland areas. The ancient capital was at Bahla, and by the ninth century, this had shifted to Nizwa. However after this the capital shifted to Sohar and from then until the present, the coast has remained politically and economically more important. After Sohar, Qalhat to the north west of Sur became the next capital and was visited by Marco Polo. During this time, the country was torn by civil war, and control of the coastal areas passed to dynasties from Persia and later the Portuguese who occupied the major coastal cities in 1507. At this time, Rustaq became the capital city under Omani control. (Ironically it was an Omani navigator who helped cement Portuguese power by guiding Vasco da Gama to India from the coast of east Africa). This power however was in decline by 1622, when Muscat was made the major base in the area, and the Portuguese were finally expelled from the country by the Omanis in 1650. (Incidentally contrary to popular belief, the only major remaining Portuguese buildings are Mirani and Jalali forts in Muscat. All the other forts in the country are totally or mainly of Omani origin). Four years before the expulsion of the Portuguese in 1646, the first treaty of co-operation with the British was signed. This and subsequent treaties marked the beginning of the special relationship between the two countries, that has continued to the present day. The Persians still remained powerful however, and they weren’t finally expelled until 1747, by the founder of the present Al bu Said dynasty.

• During all of this time, the Imamate based inland around Jebal Akhdar controlled much of the country. During the latter part of the 18th century, there was a rapid growth in Omani military and commercial power, which allowed it to regain and extend the control of key ports in Persia, India, and Zanzibar that it had enjoyed several centuries earlier. Eventually by the start of the 19th century, the Omani empire had extended to control several parts of coastal East Africa as well as Zanzibar, and whole provinces in Persia and Baluchistan in present day Pakistan. (In fact control of the last Omani toehold in Pakistan didn’t end until 1958). The Omani empire reached its peak in the middle of the 19th century, under Sultan Said bin Sultan, who made Zanzibar his second (and preferred capital). Dhofar was added to Oman at this time, and Omani control extended far down the coast of East Africa to the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. On his death in 1856, the empire was split in two, one of his sons becoming sultan of Zanzibar (this line continuing there until1963). Oman itself then went into a period of rapid decline cut off from its most lucrative domains.

• The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast corner of the Arabian Peninsula and is located between Latitudes 16° 40' and 26° 20' North and Longitudes 51° 50' and 59° 40' East. The coastline extends 1,700 Km from the Strait of Hormuz in the north, to the borders of the Republic of Yemen in the south and overlooks three seas: the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.

• The Sultanate borders Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the West; the United Arab Emirates in the Northeast, the Republic of Yemen in the South; the Strait of Hormuz in the North and the Arabian Sea in the East.

• The Musandam Peninsula forms the country's northern tip, and is separated from the rest of the Sultanate by United Arab Emirates' eastern coast and includes the only coast the Sultanate has on the Arabian Gulf.

• Musandam is just over 50 Km (30 miles) south of the Islamic Republic of Iran across the Strait of Hormuz.

• The total land area is around 309,500 Km2 and it is the third largest country in the Arabian Peninsula.

• Topography

Oman possesses a rich diverse topography ranging from rugged mountains and rocky deepwater fjords in the North, to the spectacular dunes of Sharqiyah (Wahiba) Sands and two large salt flats in the centre, to the lush green hills of Dhofar region in the South, with rugged coasts and placid beaches stretching along the 1,700 Km coastline.

• The northern coastal strip along the Gulf of Oman is known as the Batinah Coast; a narrow fertile plain separated from the rest of the country by the Hajar Mountains. The highest peak is Jabal Shams (Sun Mountain) at 3,075 m. The southern slopes of the range are notable for their oasis towns where date groves flourish in the dry desert air.

• In the south lies the second mountain range in Oman; the Qara Mountains, which attracts the light monsoon rains during the mid-summer months, turning them green with vegetation whose roots help delay the effects of erosion resulting in a soft rolling landscape more akin to central Africa.

• As in the north, a narrow fertile coast plain lies between the mountains and the sea at whose centre Salalah lies, surrounded by lush vegetable farms and coconut groves.

• Administrative Regions The Sultanate is divided into eight administrative regions;

• 3 Governorates:• Al-Batinah

Al-DhahirahAl-Dakhliyah

• 5 Regions: Muscat Dhofar Musandam Al-Sharqiyah Al-Wusta

Living in BahrainThe cost of living in Bahrain is The lowest in the GCC, with accommodation reasonably priced and a wide range of housing to suit all tastes and lifestyles. With many housing selections to choose from with competitive utility rates, and With competitive wages, Bahrain offers the highest quality of life for employees and their families.Read more….

• Bahrain is an Arabic word meaning "Two Seas", and refers to two facts, one that the islands contain two sources of water, sweet water springs and salty water in the surrounding seas, or to the south and north waters of the gulf, separating it from the Arabian coast and Iran, respectively.

History The island was once known as Dilmun, and was home to an ancient civilisation that played a central trading role between the peoples of the Indus Valley (now India) to the south and Mesopotamia (now Iraq) to the north. Dilmun’s capital was a major port whose remains are visible today at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al Bahrain).

The Kingdom also features in one of the world’s oldest and most enduring pieces of literature – the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the island was home to the source of eternal youth. The tale is believed to refer to the pearls from the shallow gulf waters around Bahrain, which were one of Bahrain’s biggest exports for generations.

In more recent years, Bahrain has been a regional pioneer and became a specialist business centre. The Kingdom has a whole series of Gulf ‘firsts’ under its belt - from discovering oil, to diversifying the economy, to providing education for both males and females from the 1920s onwards, to becoming the first democracy with universal suffrage in the region

• Key facts

• Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands in the Arabian Gulf midway between the Qatar peninsula and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain Island is a pear-shaped land mass 48 km. long and 16 km. wide.

• Bahrain is connected to Saudi Arabia by 23-km causeway, which opened in November 1986• Capital: Manama• Total Land Area: Bahrain has a total area of 770 sq km• Climate: hot summers, pleasant winters• Bahrain Time Difference: GMT + 3 (Winter)/GMT + 2 (Summer)• Governorates: Bahrain is divided into five governorates; Capital, Central, Muharraq, Northern, Southern• Total Population: 1,039,297• Official Languages: The official language is Arabic. English is very widely spoken and is the principal language of

commerce.• Country dialing code: 973• Education: State (203) and private (56). There is a choice of Bahraini, British, American, and Lebanese curricula in

private schools• Healthcare: 18 hospitals and 293 private clinics• Electricity: 240 volts (3 pin plugs)• Local Media: There are 8 daily newspapers, 2 of which are in English; Bahrain Television transmits local and

international news, current affairs, documentaries, educational programmes, as well as entertainment series and films. Bahrain TV also runs Channel 55, which broadcasts in English

• Government

• Parliament: Bahrain has a bicameral legislature with a lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, elected by universal suffrage and the upper house, the Shura Council, appointed by the King. Both houses have forty members. The inaugural elections were held in 2002, with parliamentarians serving four year terms

• Membership: Bahrain is a member of the UN, Arab League, Gulf Co-operation Council and the Organization of the Islamic Conference

• Currency and taxation• There are no Exchange Controls on the movement of monies• Bahrain's currency is the Bahrain Dinar (BD), which is pegged to

the US Dollar.• Bahrain has the lowest corporate and personal taxes in the GCC

with:• - No capital gains tax and no withholding tax.

- No personal income tax- No tax on capital gains- No withholding tax- No restriction on repatriation of capital, profits or dividends- Few indirect taxes (e.g. 10% municipal tax on rents)

•Transportation & Logistics

• Bahrain has an excellent road network with causeway connections to Muharraq and Sitra islands and to Saudi Arabia. A road link is also planned between Bahrain and Qatar - construction is due to complete in 2013.

• Bahrain International Airport in Muharraq is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East with the most connections to the rest of the region. It is used by most major international airlines.

• Steamers run scheduled service from Bahrain to other Gulf ports and to Pakistan and India Bahrain has the shortest travel time between its seaport, airport and the logistics processing zone of anywhere in the Gulf enabling more efficient and faster processing of trade goods. Bahrain also offers the lowest costs and best value for money when it comes to operating costs.

• International cargo carrier DHL has exploited Bahrain’s strategic location since 1978 basing its Middle East hub in Manama. The Airport is DHL's regional distribution centre for Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

• Current requirements to live and work in Bahrain

Anyone wishing to live and legally work in Bahrain will need to apply for the following visas and permits. Employers are advised to arrange and process necessary documents to the Labour Market Regulatory Authority prior to the arrival of their employees and dependents.

Work Visa. Submitted to and issued by Labour Market Regulatory Authority. Requirements:Visa application form

• Employee’s passport• Passport size photograph• Sponsorship Letter: a letter of employment indicating employer’s name/organization, commercial registration number,

employee’s capacity, salary, contract duration, employee’s name, birth date and nationality• Copy of the contract• Health record from an authorised clinic• BD 200 fee (for 2 years) and BD 10 payable monthly per registered employee• • Residency Permit (Family Visa), Submitted to Labour Market Regulatory Authority and issued by General Department

for Nationality & Passport Residence. Requirements:• Application form• Employee & family’s passport copies• Employee’s sponsorship letter• Employee’s contract• Family health record from an authorised clinic• BD 90 fee per applicant• CPR Card (Identification Card). Submitted to and issued by Central Informatics Organization. Requirements:• Employee (or spouse) passport• Sponsorship letter stating names of dependents• Marriage certificate (for spouse) and birth certificate (for children)• Free of charge

• Where to Live:• Adliya

Adliya is a bohemian neighborhood in Bahrain. Very multicultural and always busy, Adliya is a residential, commercial and a cultural spot in Bahrain. Young families, expatriates and young Bahrainis reside in either villas or apartments in Adliya. Cafes, retail stores, boutiques and galleries are scattered throughout the neighborhood. The heart of the neighborhood, recently refurbished to include a pedestrian square, has old town houses that have been converted into chick international restaurants, cafes, bakeries and art galleries.

Amwaj IslandsAmwaj Islands is a group of man made islands purposely built as a residential gated community located in the northeast of Bahrain, near the coast of Muharraq. Overlooking the sea and man-made lagoons, the community offers 100% freehold land ownership of villas and apartments to expatriates living in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The island contains residential, commercial, service apartments and retail spaces, as well as a marina. Amwaj is a true community with facilities that include a private school, a hospital, a fuel station, a fitness centre and a lagoon side dinning and cafe district.

JuffairJuffair is a neighborhood located in Manama. The area was reclaimed since the 1970s, but today is bustling with many hotels, furnished apartments, restaurants and villas, mainly attracting single expatriates and young urban Bahrainis.

The offices of the Central Informatics Organization, Bahrain Society of Engineers, and the Bahrain Tribune newspaper are all located in Juffair. The Bahrain School, an American school following an American curriculum and associated with the United States Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), and Modern Knowledge School are both located in Juffair.

A new commercial strip in Juffair has now become a very because of its restaurant and retail outlets such as McDonalds, Chilli’s, Nando’s, Dairy Queen and Starbucks. There is a large supermarket and Post Office located in close proximity.

SaarSaar is a suburb of Bahrain, alongside a village located northwest of the island. The area is typically inhabited by affluent families, ambassadors and expatriates residing in compounds, large villas or gated communities. Originally a farm land, Saar is greener than urban residential areas in Bahrain with less traffic movement in its neighbourhoods

• Cost of Living• The cost of living in Bahrain is the lowest in the GCC, with accommodation reasonably priced and a wide range of housing to suit all tastes and

lifestyles. With many housing selections to choose from with competitive utility rates, and with competitive wages, Bahrain offers the highest quality of life for employees and their families.

The breakdown below is an indicator of basic living costs in Bahrain, including rent, utilities, school fees and transportation.

Rent1 bedroom furnished apartment (high end): BD 1000 (US $2660)1 bedroom furnished apartment (medium): BD 400 (US $1065)3 bedroom furnished apartment (medium): BD 650 (US $1730)3 bedroom villa, no pool, with garage (medium): BD 800 (US $2130)5 bedroom villa with pool, parking (medium): BD 1,200 (US $3191)4 bedroom villa with pool, parking (high end): BD 2000 (US $5320)3 bedroom villa with parking (medium): BD 1,500 (US $3990)3 bedroom villa in a gated community (medium): BD 750-950 (US $2000-2500)

Utility BillsApartments: Utility Bills are typically included in monthly rent of apartments.4 bedroom villa utility bill: BD25 (US $66), BD 30-40 (US $80-106) in the summer

MealsAverage casual lunchtime meal: BD 3 (US $8)McDonald’s Big Mac: BD 1 (US $3)McDonald’s Big Mac Meal: BD 1.5 (US $4)

Gas BD 5 per week-BD 20/month) (US $13 per week-$53/month)

GroceriesSmall Family (3 people): BD 160 (US $425)Large Family (5 people): BD 200 (US $531)1 person: BD 100 (US $265)

Movie TicketBD 3 (8)

Schools (Annual)Private School: BD 2,500 (US $6,700)International Private School: BD 8000 (US $21,300)Nursery/Child Care: BD 1,500 (US $4000)

• Cab FareManama to Airport: BD 4 (US $11)

• Bahrain has a heritage of learning and education. We were the first state in the Gulf to provide education for both males and females back in the 1920s.

You have a choice of over 30 schools for your children. Schools St Christopher’s School, and the British School of Bahrain which are based on the British curriculum; Bahrain Bayan School and the Bahrain School which is associated with the United States Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA); the Ecole Francaise; the New Indian School; and the Japanese School of Bahrain, a Nihonjin Gakko school which offers the same curriculum as public schools in Japan. All these schools enroll children from K1 up to highschool.

Universitites, training and vocational institutes are also plentiful, and have been expanding due to the recent education reforms. The University of Bahrain, New York Institute of Technology and the Bahrain Polytechnic are just a few examples of higher education options available in Bahrain.