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Living in Bahrain

With a strategic location in the Persian Gulf, established expat communities and a modernizing culture, Bahrain offers an intriguing Middle Eastern lifestyle for expats. Here’s what to know about living in this island nation.

Why Move to Bahrain?

Bahrain attracts expats for opportunities like:

  • Tax-free salaries and abundant jobs in sectors like finance, oil, engineering and technology.
  • Developed infrastructure and facilities – modern highways, airports, restaurants and amenities on par with Western standards.
  • Hassle-free visa policies and established expat communities make relocating smooth.
  • English widely spoken and used in business enhances accessibility compared to other Gulf nations.
  • Strategic hub location provides regional access to Saudi Arabia and around the Gulf.
  • Historic trading center blended with rapidly modernizing development. Experience traditional souqs and contemporary malls.
  • Outdoor lifestyle with beaches, diving, golf and horse racing.
  • Alcohol available and moderate social norms by Gulf standards due to international influences.

Living in Bahrain: Pros and Cons

While comfortable, some challenges exist:

Pros :

  1. Lucrative tax-free salaries
  2. Developed infrastructure and facilities
  3. Established expat communities
  4. English widely spoken
  5. Regional hub with easy access
  6. Blend of traditional and modern
  7. Outdoor lifestyle
  8. Available alcohol and social freedoms

Cons : 

  1. Blistering heat and humidity
  2. High cost of living
  3. Dense urban traffic
  4. Bureaucracy for residency permits and visas
  5. Limited public transit options
  6. Ongoing political tensions with protests
  7. Conservative Islamic legal system
  8. Access challenges for non-Muslims to some areas

Bahrain offers a good lifestyle but has tradeoffs similar to other Gulf nations. Best suited for open-minded, career-driven expats able to afford its high costs.

The Cost of Living in Bahrain

As an affluent country, Bahrain has a high cost of living:

  • Housing – Modern high-rise apartments average 1,000 – 2,000 BHD ($2,650 – $5,300) per month depending on size and location.
  • Food – Groceries from Carrefour or Lulu Hypermarket about 150-300 BHD ($400-$800) monthly for two. Dining out 25-50 BHD ($65-$130) per meal at nice restaurants.
  • Transportation – Taxis like Uber cost 1-2 BHD ($3-$5) per 5km. Gasoline 0.25 BHD (65 cents) per liter. Car prices comparable to US.
  • Utilities – Around 50-100 BHD ($130-$265) per month for electricity, cooling, water and fast internet.
  • Healthcare – Modern private healthcare. Insurance plans start around 50 BHD ($130) monthly with co-pays.
  • Education – International schools at 10,000-25,000 BHD ($26,500-$66,250) annually. Public schools free to citizens.
  • Taxes – No income tax. No sales tax. No capital gains tax. Only small visa fees for residents.

Quality of Life in Bahrain

Bahrain offers high marks for quality of life criteria:

  1. Healthcare – Advanced private healthcare competes internationally. But public infrastructure lacks.
  2. Infrastructure – Extensive modern highways, airports and facilities on par with Western standards. Reliable utilities.
  3. Safety & Security – Low violent crime rates outside occasional political flare ups. Tight security apparatus.
  4. Economy – High GDP and incomes fueled by oil. But unemployment is rising among citizens. Efforts to diversify.
  5. Environment – Arid climate prone to heatwaves. Water scarcity necessitates desalination reliance. But beaches are pristine.
  6. Leisure & Culture – Malls and restaurants are popular hangouts. Some nightlife. Most socializing occurs in homes.

A Beginner’s Guide to Bahraini Culture

Key aspects of local culture:

  • Islam is the main religion but modern, tolerant interpretation predominates. Some social freedoms exist compared to neighbors.
  • Traditional architecture and souqs coexist with modern high-rises. Rapid development continues.
  • Cuisine reflects Arab influences – biryani, machboos, kebabs, hummus, breads. Seafood popular given coastal location.
  • Extended families prioritized. Elders respected. Hospitality and generosity esteemed social values.
  • Population diverse including Arabs, Asians, and Western expats. Racial tolerance higher than some Gulf states.
  • Traditional Islamic values remain strong. Gender roles distinct but women increasingly active in society and business.
  • Thobes and hijabs the norm. But Western clothing common in expat circles. Alcohol available at hotels and pubs.
  • Major pastimes include family events, shisha lounges, malls, dining out, soccer matches and Formula 1 racing.

Best Places to Live in Bahrain

Main areas for expats include:

  1. Manama – The capital and largest city. Cosmopolitan center for dining, nightlife and culture.
  2. Muharraq – Historic former capital and second largest city. More local vibe with old architecture.
  3. Riffa – Family-oriented suburb popular with Western expats. Golf courses and housing compounds.
  4. Hamad Town – Planned suburban community with modern apartments and shopping complexes.
  5. Amwaj Islands – Upscale artificial islands off the coast housing luxury residences, hotels, and Marina.

From historic to hyper-modern, Bahrain offers expats a comfortable Gulf lifestyle shaped by global influences and rapid development.

Emily Johnson

One thought on “Living in Bahrain

  1. The writing style is both informative and accessible, striking a perfect balance between providing detailed information and maintaining reader interest. I found the personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout to be especially relatable and they really helped to illustrate the main points.

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