Amman, Jordan Report of what it's like to live there - 03/01/13

Personal Experiences from Amman, Jordan

Amman, Jordan 03/01/13

Background:

1. Your reason for living this city (e.g. corporate, government, military, student, educator, retiree, etc.):

View All Answers


2. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

View All Answers


3. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?

View All Answers


4. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?

DC. It is about a 16-hour trip, connecting through London or Frankfurt.

View All Answers


5. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?

DC. It is about a 16-hour trip, connecting through London or Frankfurt.

View All Answers


6. How long have you lived here?

View All Answers


7. How long have you lived here?

View All Answers


8. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?

(The contributor is affiliated with the U.S. Embassy and has been living in Amman for just over two years, a second expat experience.)

View All Answers


Housing, Groceries & Food:

1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

I commute no more then 10 minutes to the US Embassy. Housing is mostly in large flats. Workmanship is poor, so things frequently break or don't work, but it's not too frustrating. Chances are you will run out of heat and hot water a few times a year and wait a few hours until someone can come fix the issue. Housing quality varies: some apartments are gorgeous, while others are just okay. I think it's the luck of the draw when you arrive.

View All Answers


2. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?

I commute no more then 10 minutes to the US Embassy. Housing is mostly in large flats. Workmanship is poor, so things frequently break or don't work, but it's not too frustrating. Chances are you will run out of heat and hot water a few times a year and wait a few hours until someone can come fix the issue. Housing quality varies: some apartments are gorgeous, while others are just okay. I think it's the luck of the draw when you arrive.

View All Answers


3. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Fruits, vegetables and bread are cheaper than in the US. Everything else is much more expensive. It all kind of evens out, though.

View All Answers


4. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?

Fruits, vegetables and bread are cheaper than in the US. Everything else is much more expensive. It all kind of evens out, though.

View All Answers


5. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

You can really get everything here, it just depends how badly you want it. Things are expensive, but if paying $30 for pecans is okay for you, then you can get them. I ship my cereal, but everything else I buy locally --- even chocolate chips at $7 a bag.

View All Answers


6. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?

You can really get everything here, it just depends how badly you want it. Things are expensive, but if paying $30 for pecans is okay for you, then you can get them. I ship my cereal, but everything else I buy locally --- even chocolate chips at $7 a bag.

View All Answers


7. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

All of the American fast food you could want. Also good Arabic restaurants (and pretty much everything else) but nothing is cheap. You will pay twice as much as you would in the States to eat out somewhere decent.

View All Answers


8. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?

All of the American fast food you could want. Also good Arabic restaurants (and pretty much everything else) but nothing is cheap. You will pay twice as much as you would in the States to eat out somewhere decent.

View All Answers


9. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?

Lots of people have ant issues. Some even have mosquito issues and the occasional cockroach.

View All Answers


10. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?

Lots of people have ant issues. Some even have mosquito issues and the occasional cockroach.

View All Answers


Daily Life:

1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?

Through the DPO

View All Answers


2. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?

Through the DPO

View All Answers


3. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Full time is about $600 a month.

View All Answers


4. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?

Full time is about $600 a month.

View All Answers


5. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?

Yes

View All Answers


6. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?

Yes

View All Answers


7. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

You can use your credit card just about anywhere. There are lots of ATMS.

View All Answers


8. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?

You can use your credit card just about anywhere. There are lots of ATMS.

View All Answers


9. What English-language religious services are available locally?

Yes. There is a Protestant church, Catholic and Mormon.

View All Answers


10. What English-language religious services are available locally?

Yes. There is a Protestant church, Catholic and Mormon.

View All Answers


11. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?

OSN TV costs about $70 a month.

View All Answers


12. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?

OSN TV costs about $70 a month.

View All Answers


13. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

None

View All Answers


14. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?

None

View All Answers


15. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

There are no sidewalks but that being said, I think it is doable.

View All Answers


16. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?

There are no sidewalks but that being said, I think it is doable.

View All Answers


Transportation:

1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

They are relatively safe and affordable.

View All Answers


2. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?

They are relatively safe and affordable.

View All Answers


3. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

If you are thinking of doing desert camping, you will want a 4WD, but for around Amman you can drive anything. You will probably feel safer in a SUV, though, since the drivers are nuts here.

View All Answers


4. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?

If you are thinking of doing desert camping, you will want a 4WD, but for around Amman you can drive anything. You will probably feel safer in a SUV, though, since the drivers are nuts here.

View All Answers


Phone & Internet:

1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Yes. I think its about $400 a year or so.

View All Answers


2. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?

Yes. I think its about $400 a year or so.

View All Answers


3. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

Zain or Orange.

View All Answers


4. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?

Zain or Orange.

View All Answers


Pets:

1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?

No.

View All Answers


2. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?

No.

View All Answers


3. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?

Yes, there are vets and kennels.

View All Answers


4. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?

Yes, there are vets and kennels.

View All Answers


Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:

1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

No

View All Answers


2. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?

No

View All Answers


3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

Conservative.

View All Answers


4. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?

Conservative.

View All Answers


Health & Safety:

1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Street crime is on the rise because of the economic situation, but it is still very low. It's the Middle East, so you are always thinking about security, especially since the Arab Spring. Jordan is one of the best countries to be in the Middle East

View All Answers


2. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.

Street crime is on the rise because of the economic situation, but it is still very low. It's the Middle East, so you are always thinking about security, especially since the Arab Spring. Jordan is one of the best countries to be in the Middle East

View All Answers


3. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

Health care is decent. Dental care is decent and not expensive. Lots of people have been getting their vision corrected and have been very happy with the results. It's about one-fourth of the cost in the States. I wouldn't have major surgery here, but everything else is good. Most doctors and dentists were trained in the US or UK.

View All Answers


4. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?

Health care is decent. Dental care is decent and not expensive. Lots of people have been getting their vision corrected and have been very happy with the results. It's about one-fourth of the cost in the States. I wouldn't have major surgery here, but everything else is good. Most doctors and dentists were trained in the US or UK.

View All Answers


5. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

Moderate. Running outside isn't a good idea, not just because of the dust, but because you will probably get hit by a car or chased by a rabid dog.

View All Answers


6. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

Moderate. Running outside isn't a good idea, not just because of the dust, but because you will probably get hit by a car or chased by a rabid dog.

View All Answers


7. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

4 seasons, wonderful spring and fall, short winter, great summer, hot but not above 100% usually.

View All Answers


8. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?

4 seasons, wonderful spring and fall, short winter, great summer, hot but not above 100% usually.

View All Answers


Schools & Children:

1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

Good schools. People are overall happy with ACS (American) and ICS (British), and a few send their kids to a Christian school. Also, there is a large homeschooling population here. Pre-K schools are good, too: Little Academy and Hill House. People seem happy with the school choices.

View All Answers


2. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?

Good schools. People are overall happy with ACS (American) and ICS (British), and a few send their kids to a Christian school. Also, there is a large homeschooling population here. Pre-K schools are good, too: Little Academy and Hill House. People seem happy with the school choices.

View All Answers


3. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

ICS takes special needs kids but doesn't really have the resources to help them

View All Answers


4. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?

ICS takes special needs kids but doesn't really have the resources to help them

View All Answers


5. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

Little Academy or Hill House. Everyone also has nanny.

View All Answers


6. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?

Little Academy or Hill House. Everyone also has nanny.

View All Answers


7. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?

Yes. All the schools have programs and there is also ballet and rock climbing.

View All Answers


8. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?

Yes. All the schools have programs and there is also ballet and rock climbing.

View All Answers


Expat Life:

1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

Large.

View All Answers


2. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

Large.

View All Answers


3. Morale among expats:

Pretty good. Everyone has complaints, but overall Amman is a nice place to be.

View All Answers


4. Morale among expats:

Pretty good. Everyone has complaints, but overall Amman is a nice place to be.

View All Answers


5. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

Restaurants, people's houses.

View All Answers


6. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?

Restaurants, people's houses.

View All Answers


7. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

Great for families. Singles and couples seem to do well here.

View All Answers


8. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?

Great for families. Singles and couples seem to do well here.

View All Answers


9. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

Probably not

View All Answers


10. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?

Probably not

View All Answers


11. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

Not really

View All Answers


12. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?

Not really

View All Answers


13. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?

Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Um Quais, camping.

View All Answers


14. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?

Petra, Wadi Rum, Aqaba, Dead Sea, Um Quais, camping.

View All Answers


15. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

In Amman, there aren't a lot of things to do. The US Embassy and UK Embassy have pools. There is also the Orthodox Club that people can join. There are a few parks --- nothing great but we have kept busy.

View All Answers


16. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?

In Amman, there aren't a lot of things to do. The US Embassy and UK Embassy have pools. There is also the Orthodox Club that people can join. There are a few parks --- nothing great but we have kept busy.

View All Answers


17. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

Carpets, Dead Sea products.

View All Answers


18. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?

Carpets, Dead Sea products.

View All Answers


19. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?

There are tons of things to do and see in Jordan, the weather is fantastic, and you can save money if you are not at the Dead Sea every weekend.

View All Answers


20. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?

There are tons of things to do and see in Jordan, the weather is fantastic, and you can save money if you are not at the Dead Sea every weekend.

View All Answers


21. Can you save money?

Absolutely! Just try not to go to the Dead Sea every weekend!

View All Answers


22. Can you save money?

Absolutely! Just try not to go to the Dead Sea every weekend!

View All Answers


Words of Wisdom:

1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

Yes. As far as the Middle East goes, it doesn't get any better than this. Sure, the gulf is cleaner and it has everything you can buy, but Jordan has the best weather, outdoor activities and culture. You will probably find that two years will be enough, but if you are here longer it is still a good place to be.

View All Answers


2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?

Yes. As far as the Middle East goes, it doesn't get any better than this. Sure, the gulf is cleaner and it has everything you can buy, but Jordan has the best weather, outdoor activities and culture. You will probably find that two years will be enough, but if you are here longer it is still a good place to be.

View All Answers


3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

View All Answers


4. If you move here, you can leave behind your:

View All Answers


5. But don't forget your:

Sunscreen and camping gear.

View All Answers


6. But don't forget your:

Sunscreen and camping gear.

View All Answers


7. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:

View All Answers


8. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

View All Answers


9. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:

View All Answers


10. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?

View All Answers


11. Do you have any other comments?

View All Answers


12. Do you have any other comments?

View All Answers


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More