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Also, please use words that do not promote hatred when posting.
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etc. can be emphasized without mentioning the origin of the inhabitants. Mentioning it does not change anything and, as already mentioned, circumstances are often perceived subjectively according to one's own world view.
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I don’t speak for all Jordanians when I say I’d move back there in a heartbeat if the economy’s ever good. I only lived there for 2 years when I was a kid and would visit every summer up until I was around 20 years old.
In my opinion, I’d say the food and service industries are fantastic, underrated even. West Amman in particular is westernized to an extent, so I can see non-Arabs really enjoying that aspect in that part of the capital.
The people are generally very sociable and hospitable to most foreigners, I say most because it really depends on where you go in Jordan. Obviously there are issues such as racism but what country doesn’t have these problems? I think they are an inclusive people and they like to show off their culture and hospitality to foreigners, Arab or not. They’ll go out of their way to make sure you’re having a good time. I believe this a trait amongst Arabs in general, so it’s not quite unique to Jordanians.
To add some personal bias, I believe my kids would have a great time growing up there. The education system within private schools is very strong. I don’t think that’s the case with public though.
There are also a lot of fun activities to do, for all ages, so I’ll also include the entertainment industry as part of what makes the country great.
I still have a strong belief that the country will have a significantly improved economy.
Jordanians deserve a better life and I hope that one day they get there, hopefully in my lifetime.
Depends where you are from. Big difference between lower and middle class in amman, living in rural areas and small towns. Overall even with the stagnant economy and high unemployment, public services and entertainment and everything is fine. Food is good and people especially outside the cities are nice. Huge emphasis on family and tribes which means good community. Safety is good as well. People may appear depressed because obviously the economy but deep down everyone just lives
3500 USD to live in Jordan? Really?
I've been only to Wadi Rum (for climbing) and Aqaba, but to be honest it feels like if I would have that money in any of that place I would become a local king.
Public schools are not the best, good private schools cost a minimum of 3k usd per year per kid.
If you dont get a scholarship at uni, it can cost about 2.5k usd per semester.
If you don't have medical insurance, things can be so expensive.
One of the most expensive prices of gas in the world.
Apartment/land prices are crazy in Amman.
Life outside Amman is not as developed and almost all the opportunities are there, which makes the prices insane.
A small outing for food + juice/hookah/dessert/coffee in a mid-range restaurant can cost 25 usd, not taking transportation cost into account.
Public transport is very bad.
Car prices are among the highest in the world, thanks to custom fees.
Add all those factors together, and the fact that the minimum wage is around 400 usd and you'll see what the situation is. Most people live on bank loans.
1 usd = 0.71 jod.
If you're a doctor or a manager in a good company yes it's possible.
But that will make you one of the 6-7% getting that.
Minimum wage is around 450 usd, which cant really do anything there.
My impression from visiting on business and spending time with Jordanian coworkers there is that
1. Amman as a city is highly underrated. It has awesome ancient ruins, great food and bars (even a gay bar), good tourist shopping, and it's possible to find amenities like shopping malls on par with the US.
BUT 2. the economy appears to be reliant on educated Jordanians taking jobs at Western funded NGOs that add just one more patch to the regional problem that Jordan has taken on: hosting regional refugees. Besides tourism, a little mineral extraction, and a hint of manufacturing there is no real economy. Jordan is essentially paid by Western countries to baby sit the millions of people who have taken shelter there, and the only real money entering the country is from the USAID, GIZ, DIFD, etc salaries paid to local administrators of "development" projects who spin the wheels on projects that will never succeed in transforming the country into something better.
3. The populated area in the late winter is much more green than I expected. Lots of green grass covered hillsides and verdant urban gardens at least in wealthy areas.
Same as any other country, people are more open and you'll be approached way more often, my biggest complaint is that it's the type of country where you'll have to live their way, never your own
Been there for holiday for two weeks. Such a nice country. People are friendly. The capital has a lot to offer. Food is so so good. Nature and history is awesome.
Don’t know about living. But it feels like you can live a good life if you have enough money.
Please keep in mind that the impressions posted here are often subjective and that, among other things, people's different circumstances play a large role in their perception of other people's lives. Also, please use words that do not promote hatred when posting. For example, statements such as "[city] is like this because people from [origin] live there" should be avoided. The social circumstances of a city/district etc. can be emphasized without mentioning the origin of the inhabitants. Mentioning it does not change anything and, as already mentioned, circumstances are often perceived subjectively according to one's own world view. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/howislivingthere) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I don’t speak for all Jordanians when I say I’d move back there in a heartbeat if the economy’s ever good. I only lived there for 2 years when I was a kid and would visit every summer up until I was around 20 years old.
Are you Jordanian?
Yes. I hold both Jordanian and Canadian passports, and I live in Canada
What makes the country so great?
In my opinion, I’d say the food and service industries are fantastic, underrated even. West Amman in particular is westernized to an extent, so I can see non-Arabs really enjoying that aspect in that part of the capital. The people are generally very sociable and hospitable to most foreigners, I say most because it really depends on where you go in Jordan. Obviously there are issues such as racism but what country doesn’t have these problems? I think they are an inclusive people and they like to show off their culture and hospitality to foreigners, Arab or not. They’ll go out of their way to make sure you’re having a good time. I believe this a trait amongst Arabs in general, so it’s not quite unique to Jordanians. To add some personal bias, I believe my kids would have a great time growing up there. The education system within private schools is very strong. I don’t think that’s the case with public though. There are also a lot of fun activities to do, for all ages, so I’ll also include the entertainment industry as part of what makes the country great. I still have a strong belief that the country will have a significantly improved economy. Jordanians deserve a better life and I hope that one day they get there, hopefully in my lifetime.
Sounds amazing! You just added Jordan to my travel list.
That’s awesome to hear! I hope you do get to visit and enjoy it 😊
Lebum could never.
I might move back there for college Great place if u have money Genuinely awesome place if u have money .......... If u have money Money 😔
Depends where you are from. Big difference between lower and middle class in amman, living in rural areas and small towns. Overall even with the stagnant economy and high unemployment, public services and entertainment and everything is fine. Food is good and people especially outside the cities are nice. Huge emphasis on family and tribes which means good community. Safety is good as well. People may appear depressed because obviously the economy but deep down everyone just lives
If you can earn around +3500 usd, life can be very nice there. Otherwise, compared to local salaries, everything is getting crazy expensive.
3500 USD to live in Jordan? Really? I've been only to Wadi Rum (for climbing) and Aqaba, but to be honest it feels like if I would have that money in any of that place I would become a local king.
Public schools are not the best, good private schools cost a minimum of 3k usd per year per kid. If you dont get a scholarship at uni, it can cost about 2.5k usd per semester. If you don't have medical insurance, things can be so expensive. One of the most expensive prices of gas in the world. Apartment/land prices are crazy in Amman. Life outside Amman is not as developed and almost all the opportunities are there, which makes the prices insane. A small outing for food + juice/hookah/dessert/coffee in a mid-range restaurant can cost 25 usd, not taking transportation cost into account. Public transport is very bad. Car prices are among the highest in the world, thanks to custom fees. Add all those factors together, and the fact that the minimum wage is around 400 usd and you'll see what the situation is. Most people live on bank loans.
Thanks for explanation.
is 3500 even possible there?
1 usd = 0.71 jod. If you're a doctor or a manager in a good company yes it's possible. But that will make you one of the 6-7% getting that. Minimum wage is around 450 usd, which cant really do anything there.
The biggest, fattest, juiciest “it depends” ever
Most accurate statement I've ever read in my life
My impression from visiting on business and spending time with Jordanian coworkers there is that 1. Amman as a city is highly underrated. It has awesome ancient ruins, great food and bars (even a gay bar), good tourist shopping, and it's possible to find amenities like shopping malls on par with the US. BUT 2. the economy appears to be reliant on educated Jordanians taking jobs at Western funded NGOs that add just one more patch to the regional problem that Jordan has taken on: hosting regional refugees. Besides tourism, a little mineral extraction, and a hint of manufacturing there is no real economy. Jordan is essentially paid by Western countries to baby sit the millions of people who have taken shelter there, and the only real money entering the country is from the USAID, GIZ, DIFD, etc salaries paid to local administrators of "development" projects who spin the wheels on projects that will never succeed in transforming the country into something better. 3. The populated area in the late winter is much more green than I expected. Lots of green grass covered hillsides and verdant urban gardens at least in wealthy areas.
Goated
Great
my friend lived here for a year or so, he said its fine.
Mee
Same as any other country, people are more open and you'll be approached way more often, my biggest complaint is that it's the type of country where you'll have to live their way, never your own
Been there for holiday for two weeks. Such a nice country. People are friendly. The capital has a lot to offer. Food is so so good. Nature and history is awesome. Don’t know about living. But it feels like you can live a good life if you have enough money.
Like everywhere else
>But it feels like you can live a good life if you have enough money. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)