Moving to Bahrain
 

Hi all,

I am Canadian and moving to Bahrain March 15th to work for serco as a controller in the ACC. Any suggestions on where to look for accomodations? Areas to stay away from..short any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Euro

It really depends on your situation and budget.
If you are single and will be looking to going out to the pubs clubs of an evening then I would suggest you look for a flat in town. Jufair is the best place at the moment. 2 bed flats fully furnished from about BD 250+

If you have a family then you probably want to be in the Budayia Saar area. You can get reasonable villas from BD350 for 3 beds up to very attractive 4 beds for BD1000.

There is also a small but growing Canadian comunity here some of whom are mega party animals. (I say from the experiance of having some of them as mates) :O

If you state your situation more specifically I am sure you will get more specific advice.

Despite the local situation at the moment it is still a great place to live and work.

Come on in, the waters lovely :D :D

On On

Thanks for the reply, well I am 30 years old, I like to be very active, as for budget, the company pays around 700 per month.

Welcome (soon) to BAH!

Take your time settling on a place and make sure the agents, if you go with them, are EXACTLY aware of what you are after, or they will waste both of your time, unfortunately.

The rates have jumped recently as well but there are plenty of places available with all the goodies. There are good places to be had though. Juffair has tons of flats..just be sure they are facing AWAY from any potential loudspeakers (you will understand once you get here...) and not too close to new or soon-to-be-new construction. You will be able to pass a coffee over to the workers at some places, thats how close they are putting them together. Considering the shifts we do in the business that gets annoying when you try to get a bit of sleep. But there are some nice places there too. Budayia or Sar have some great villas too (plus some not-so-nice...watch where they take you!). Depends what you are after.

Send the above gent (Sirwa69) a message about "hashing" here and one to myself about linking up with a few of us Canucks and others, sometime once you are settled in.

You should like it here. My wife and I enjoy it and it is simular to back home (a'la the English/French signs are replaced here with English/Arabic) and it's a peaceful place.

Talk with you on the radio soon at least.

Cheers.
C.O.

(spelling correction edit...oops)

Pardon Capt. Over if he can't spell...just had his first (and not last) visit to Senor Pacos... so c'mon down, for a real attitude adjustment..look forward to hearin you on the VHF...give me a private message when you get here...you'll get the IB57 grand welcome....(provided you're off the next day):} :} :D

Euro

Welcome -- there is nothing wrong with out here at all

Been here a long time its like anywhere else except for the heat in the summer

Despite all the comments at this particular time life goes on here just like it does in Toronto London or Timbuktu

You just don't go around throwing insults at people like you wouldn't do anywhere and you'll have a ball

S.L.

The climate is warm, the beer is cold so EuroATC come oooon down.:cool:

Promise we'll get you nice and leggless:} As my mate Speedbrake Lever will confirm the Guiness is plentyful.

Thanks for all the posts, I am arriving on March 7th, start work on the 15th. Once I get settled.. (2 hours after arrival haha) i will message you guys and take you up on the beers.

Cheers,

Rick

need help!!!
 

Hi,

Been in Bahrain 3 days, seen 15 villas, 2 of which were ok but over 1000 BD. Alot of agents waisted my time..
Know a good agent or a good contact? I want a nice villa with a nice compound in a safe area... SAR is good of even in town Adliya would work too..

any help appreciated!

Euro

Yeah i don't know what your criterion is but if you're looking for palatial type places thats what you'll pay

Take a drive to Jasra beside the Saudi causeway it is a bit more economical there

are you placed there by Serco ??

If so I thought they paid regardless, if not, well you'll have to slum it like the rest of us
and yes you don't go near Estate agents AT ALL

S.L.

EUROATC,

Welcome to BAH, I hope you enjoy your time here.
Be aware that the agents are working for commission, usually
a months rent paid by the owner. That said the agents will take you to the expensive places first to fill up THEIR bank account.
Be very specific in your 'want nots'. It took me around 60 houses to find the right place.
Good luck, speak to you on the airwaves sometime.

GP 76.