Male is the capital city of the Maldives, the countrys busiest and most populated city. Living here will give you an insight into the lives of Maldivians as well as let you enjoy all the amenities of city life. However, looking for accommodation in the city is quite tricky. Find out what it entails in this article.
Conditions
Male is one of the most congested cities in the world. With the area of just over 6 square kilometres and a population of over 150,000, the city is pretty crowded and rent prices are on par with cities like Paris or London.
Most expats who come to the city have their accommodation arranged by the employer ' and it's best to insist that this option is included in your contract.
If you are on your own, there are several things to keep in mind.
First, it's better to ask a local acquaintance or a fellow expat living in Male to help you through the renting process. Knowing your landlord or being introduced through mutual friends would also be highly beneficial both with price negotiations and should problems arise in the future.
This is highly important as foreigners have very little legal protection in the Maldives when it comes to housing disputes.
Your landlord will probably ask you to pay rent in USD ' even though this is against the country's currency regulations. Negotiating this issue may not always be successful but if you do agree to pay your rent in USD, keep in mind that it will depend on currency fluctuations.
Another thing to expect when renting an apartment are deposits, which can often be requested in the amount of up to six-month rent. It is possible to negotiate this point, however, lowering the amount you pre-pay for housing.
Housing features
As the city is very small, housing options are limited. With that, you can find various accommodation types from studios to larger apartments and townhouses. Shared housing is also a popular option and a great way to cut down costs.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city, consider renting in the neighbouring islands of Villingili and Hulhumale. These offer more and larger accommodation options and much better prices. You can get to Male easily from either island via a quick ferry ride.
Rent prices
Male is definitely not a cheap place to rent in. One bedroom apartments in the city centre can start at $500 while bigger places can cost up to $1,600.
Staying on the neighbouring island (Villingili and Hulhumale) can prove to be a much more economical solution with prices for a one bedroom place starting at under $300. As mentioned above, you should expect to pay a deposit of several months in advance.
Find an apartment
As noted earlier, the best way to go about arranging your accommodation in the Maldives is to make sure it's covered by your employment contract. You will then have much fewer things to worry about throughout your stay in the country.
If this is not an option, start by looking at the offers online. You can also join expat forums and clubs on social media to get more insight into the country's rental market.
Once on the spot, check the classifieds section of local newspapers (like Haveeru).
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