living in bahrain- housing question

[bilberrypie]

hi there, my dh is considering a move to Bahrain, working in the financial harbour. Can anyone suggest where is a nice area to live near there? we have a toddler and one on the way what is usual to be offered
and should be watch out for anything? its all in very early stages...

Hiya, depends on the company, really and the seniority of your DH. Assuming it's a financial services company, you might be looking at an allowance of 2000 to 4000 us dollars a month. This will partly cover what is a typical rent range for a 3 bed on a compound of 1000 to 1500 dinars a month at current exchange rate that's 1700 to 2500 pounds a month, pricey but the dinar is pegged to the dollar and when cable goes south, that's what happens - it's currently a good time to be paid in dinars). There's a wide range of accommodation and it depends on what you want - a villa on a compund where there are lots of other expat families or a private flat/villa. How old is your toddler, when would expect them to go to kindergarten? There are modern developments of private flats and villas in a place called Amwaj which is nice and lots of compounds and private villas in the more established expat areas of Saar and Budaiya and Janabiya.

I've been talking to ShinySarah on another thread on this board which has lots of other stuff on it. She's in Amwaj, I'm in Budaiya.

Hth.

And, of course, the company might pay your rent directly. It all depends really - I don't think there's a typical market practice, just look at the overall package. It's a good time to be out of the UK btw!

thanks for that, its really helpful! do you know what the hospitals are like, for having a baby.. what if you have to have a cs?

Good by all accounts, especially if you are okay with hospitals - it's quite an "american" system and you should be covered by private healthcare plans which allow for cs if necessary. Heard good things about both the American Mission Hospital and Awali Hospital.

I had my DS3 in England before moving to Bahrain as I had been planning a home birth and then actually had a mw-led birthing centre birth. Planned homebirths are unheard of here.

One other thing you should take into consideration is the availability of domestic staff - without your family around like at home, you'll really need a maid full time and maybe live in. Wages are 120bd a month.

hi donut mum- i have to have a cs for medical reasons, no choice for me. i will look at their websites, i think the health insurance will cover it.

Hiiii,
Like Donutmum said, Im on Amwaj and it's v lovely but it depends on what you want. (Lots of developemnts going up everywhere).

I've been to hospital with DS in Awali and all semmed v nice and have heard v good things about AMH too from a lady who had her baby there. Hope this helps.

DonutMum, where is this mw-led birthing center?

Hi Lulu. I had DS3 in England at a mw birthing centre. Sorry if it wasn't clear. If you want a mw led birth/support, I think your best bet is Awali or AMH. Depends where you are now? We're ttc at the mo and my choice is Awali if it ever happens! I have a friend who wants an elcs and has chosen Awali too.

DonutMum, I went to AMH and asked if I could have a mw led birth but the obgyn I saw said no and she was very rude and rushed me to discuss my natural birth plan :S so I never went back to her..

Oh Lulu, that's rotten.. I have to say I think the whole birth thing is much more medicalised here but I'm hopeful that Awali will be okay. Is there any way you could go home?