Dear Undercover Dragon
...
I'm a 28 year old guy who always felt attracted to Arabic cultures (I studied Arabic for 6 months some years ago) and had always considered the idea of spending some years in the Gulf. However, it wasn't until now that I had a real opportunity to go there.
I would be earning EUR 35,000 a year [equiv about 1400 rials/month - UD] and would like to know if that's enough money to live well-off (flat for one person, daily expenses, travel...). I don't drink any alcohol (not much, at least) but I'm a social animal and need to live in an environment with numerous (or some) leisure and culture offers (theatres, movies, art exhibitions...). Besides, I am gay and don't know if that would be a big issue over there or if there is some gay community in Muscat.
Also, I would like to know if Oman is a place where you can get around in English. I could speak some basic Arabic and if I eventually move there I plan on studying it properly, but I'd need English for my first steps there (finding a flat, buying a car, etc.).
A Reader
OK AR,
First, the salary. 1400 rial/mnth... I'm probably not a good one to ask on this, as to be frank that would hardly cover my bills for oysters, champagne, pets and staff.
But I'd guess a bachelor could live on say... 1000 a month, with the remainder as disposable income?
Entertainment and Culture. Well, if you like forts, I guess... To be fair, there really isn't that much. Movies, yes. And an Opera house is being built. A few good museums. A few local arty-type gatherings. Hope you like camping, and the ocean.
Gay Scene. There definitely is a vibrant one (probably more than 1). How to meet up, I'm not too sure. But there are so few places to go, you could easily visit all of the main pubs and clubs in a month and see where your instincts lead you. Technically illegal, very much a case of don't ask/don't tell/don't get caught.
English, yes, its all English in the coastal areas. But learning some Arabic would help a lot. Even if just to be polite.
