Amman, Jordan Report of what it's like to live there - 04/25/25
Personal Experiences from Amman, Jordan
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Yes.
2. 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?
D.C. There is a direct flight from Amman to Dulles. It does not run every day of the week, so plan according to the flight schedules.
3. What years did you live here?
2023-2025.
4. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomat.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
All housing is within a 10-minute commute to the embassies. Houses are generally spacious but quirky. Low-rise (4-6 floors high) apartment buildings. Layouts can be odd. Outdoor space is generally limited to ground-floor apartments. We have been happy with our house. Commute is fantastic. The neighborhoods of Abdoun, Swefieh, and Dehr Ghbar and generally safe, affluent, and have everything you need.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is available here. There are large expat supermarkets and small local markets. Some things are more expensive than DC, other things are cheaper. I think overall, the cost of food and groceries is comparable to the U.S.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
None. You can find everything here. Do not be afraid to try the local or imported European products. Many of them are better for your health than the U.S. equivalent.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Talabat and Careem delivery from hundreds of restaurants and grocery stores. Restaurant food here is top-notch. Say goodbye to franchises and embrace the mom-and-pop restaurant and cafe scene. Restaurant and cafe owners are generally very present and involved in their businesses and it is refreshing to meet people who are passionate about making high-quality food for their customers. If you are a coffee lover, this is the place for you!
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
No.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Embassy mail.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Household help and nannies cost 5 JD per hour and are widely available. Most nannies will also clean and cook.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
This is NOT an outdoors city. The streets are full of litter, stray cats, stray dogs, no sidewalks, no crosswalks. Walking outdoors is not scenic or pleasant. Many people manage to walk to work or to their local shops, just have low expectations of how "nice" it will be. This is not a walking city. That said, there is little threat of crime. I have never feared being attacked or robbed etc here. I feel more safe out and about here than I do in D.C.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are several gyms, personal trainers, and sports hubs locally.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
There are a few churches I have heard people attend.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is widely spoken. It is polite to say hello and goodbye in Arabic but all of the places I have been in the expat area are easily navigated with English only.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
YES YES YES
Buildings and sidewalks are impossible to navigate with a stroller, so I can imagine having a physical disability would be very difficult, with the exception of the embassy compound.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Uber is safe, abundant, and inexpensive.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
Everything goes. I have seen everything from minivans to pickup trucks, to Teslas and Prius.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, easy to set up with Zain or Orange.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Zain and Orange are popular.
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?
Many spouses seem to work at the embassy or telework from home.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Jordan is a wide mixture of Western culture meets conservative Arab. I would guess around 50 percent of locals wear Hijab, and the other half do not. You will not stick out solely based on hair style choice. I feel most style is similar to USA. Less people wear tank top and shorts, but it is personal choice.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
There is little violent crime. Police and security presence is abundant. I always feel safe going shopping and being out and about in the city.
Driving is the most dangerous thing. Most traffic laws seem to be "suggestions" and are not enforced. Driving seems to be stressful for many people when they first arrive but everyone in my circle seems to have embraced it after a while.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care here is OUTSTANDING. Abdali Hospital and Arab Medical Center are top-notch. I know many people who have had surgeries here, including my own family. Medical care is inexpensive and all doctors I have encouraged are US, UK, or Canadian trained. Hospitals are clean and modern. You do not need any help from the embassy when navigating the health system. It is straightforward, all doctors speak English.
One of the best things about this post is the high quality of medical care. I prefer the medical care here over that in the US. We have had some really wonderful doctors here that I will always be grateful for.
3. 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?
I was under the impression it would be unbearably dusty. It is not. Yes, there is some dust. It is not nearly as bad as I expected.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Some people have had allergies when the olive trees bloom. Food allergies are not widely recognized here so you would have to be very careful.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Not that I am aware of.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Winters are rainy and chilly, but not often below freezing. Summers are hot and dry, and lovely. There is a constant breeze, making 90f feel like 75f.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Our experience is with ICS from ages 5-7. We love, love, love this school. It is a wonderful campus, and fantastic education using the British curriculum. The school has a bus system and your bus stop is your front door, the after-school activities are incredible (horseback riding, tennis, soccer, basketball, ballet, drama, instruments, taekwondo, judo, chess, robotics, lego, ceramics, gymnastics, cooking and so many more!!!). I feel the education has been wonderful, it is rigorous when appropriate, but also forgiving and patient when a child needs more help in any area. Truly a top-notch school.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Many! We have know many families here with children ranging from slightly to severely special needs and I have only heard great feedback about the services their children are getting.
3. 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?
Many preschools in the expat neighborhoods! People seem to be happy with their choices.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes! Piano lessons, swimming, martial arts, gymnastics, horseback riding, girls/boys scouts, baseball, and many many more. It is a delight here to have many things for the kids to do, and at more affordable prices than in the US.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Huge expat community. Morale is great.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are many events in the city. Restaurants and bars (YES, you can order alcohol at bars and lounges), hiking excursions (wadi mujib is a must!), olive and pomegranate picking, brewery tours, explore castles, Roman ruins, quality spas, Turkish baths, hot springs, there are art studios, ceramics studios, shopping excursions to rainbow street.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
My review is from a married couple with kids, we have loved our time here. I am confident I would have equally loved this city as a couple or as a single. There are a lot of fun and interesting things to do and places to go.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Jordanians are the kindest people. Seriously I cannot stress how kind, welcoming, and happy they are. From the local staff at the embassy to the bakers in shops, and everyone in between, people go out of their way to help you. Very easy to make friends with them! As a white female, I have never been made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. I cannot speak for other groups.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I do not know from personal experience. I know there are LBGT expats here who seem to be happy!
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not that I have observed.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The highlight for us has been the easy day-to-day life.
Life is easy here! Schools and house help are affordable and fantastic, housing is good, food is amazing, there is plenty to do, communication is effortless, it is a safe place to live.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Wadi Mujib, Dead Sea, Aqaba, Petra, Wadi Rum camping, Aljoun forest and castle
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There are some fun shops around rainbow street with locally made products. In the spring and summer, there are large outdoor markets with local vendors.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Where to start? Medical care, schools, FOOD FOOD FOOD, kind people, safe.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The Jordanians have Western culture that meets and blends into Arab culture in the best ways. Christmas decorations and music in every store, every building, will rival that of NYC.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
YES!!!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
notions of what you think Muslim culture or Middle Eastern culture is like. Be prepared to be surprised in the most pleasant way possible.
4. But don't forget your:
sunscreen and bathing suits, AND winter coats and umbrellas! You will need it all.
