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mokhless

My name is d.mokhless of general surgery specialist doctor from Syria married and I have two sons girl 2 years, 5 months boy
Soon I will move to the Maldives for the work of one of the hospitals where I received a $ 3,000 contract
I would like to know how much cost of living in the capital of Male
1 - rent furnished apartment consisting of two rooms
2 - food and drink and cloths expense per month
3 - Are there parks for children
4 - Is there Shopping Malls
5 - Monthly Salary ($ 3,000) enough to To live a decent life and whether I can save from my salary
6 - What mode of social life
7 - Is there an Arab Restaurants
If anyone has the answers to it please help me, thanks

makhma

In my opinion answers to your question as follows.

1) a decent 2 bed room apartment will be in the range of 1000$ plus in Male.
2) food cost varies. If you eat out in good restaurants it will be quite costly. I would say 1800$ plus. If you manage food at home perhaps around 1200$. These are just my assumption for a family of 4
3) there are couple of parks. One park is suitable to take children. However, limited facilities.
4) Maldives don't have Shopping malls as in other countries. However we have many shops, mostly small ones but most of the things one may require is available to buy. The bgger shops are not malls but just bigger shops without any mall environment.
5) I would consider 3000$ maybe a tight budget  to live a decent life but I am not sure with that if you can save much especially if you consider school fees etc. However depends on how well you manage your finances.
6) limited social life for families. Perhaps you can mingle with other expats to have get togethers, visit a resort or other villages on weekends. Generally Doctors are respected and well accepted by local Comunity.
7) don't think we have any Arab restaurants in Male. But some Arab items such as shawarma is found n few menus. Some f the resort islands have arab restaurants but that will be quite costly. Going and coming can be anywhere in-between 100 to 300$ and food cost will be about 100$ per head.
Above informations are my assumptions. I am a local from Maldoves. Perhaps an expect maybe ablento add more suggestions and their experience.

mokhless

Thank you very much Mr. Mkhma for valuable information
I want to ask you about the work in the remote islands where my work contract will be in the hospital L.H.Atoll Naifaro, and I'm reluctant much in accepting this contract, what do you recommend me and thank you

makhma

Lh. Naifaru does not have city status and there for it's referred more as a village island. The good thing  will be very affordable living at the same time limited resources. Accommodation will be quite cheap or even maybe provided under the contract. People generally will be nice and as a doctor I would say well respected. Social life with in the island will be limited unless you blend with locals and get to enjoy similar interests such as fishing, eating out in local cafe, swimming etc. There will be resorts that you can visit during holidays. I suggest you should find out more details,especially if the job is not in the capital city, Male'. Sometimes it can be real boring if you and family cannot adjust to local conditions in the island. Actually I haven't been in this island in years and I am not sure the current situation.
You can write to me on makhma (at) yahoo. com  for more details.

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