Below you'll find insider tips on getting the best from Bahrain, from hints on finding a home to reviews of the hottest restaurants in town.
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Housing
Your major choice when you decide where to live is whether to look for an apartment or a villa. Apartments are generally in the Manama area and its suburbs, while villas are situated... read more
Renting in Bahrain
There are now opportunities for expatriates to purchase property in Bahrain, although this is only possible in certain newly developed areas. As these developments are still in their... read more
Real Estate Agents
Most people find their property through an agent. The best place to look for one is the classified section of GDN, where you will find all of the agents advertising particular... read more
The Lease
The lease you are given should be in English. Don’t accept a lease in a language that you do not understand as there may be interesting interpretations. You normally need a copy of your... read more
Main Accommodation Options
Sharing
Sharing tends to be done amongst friends or by families sub-letting one room. The Gulf Daily News lists rooms available on this basis.
Apartments tend to offer the best value... read more
Other Rental Costs
All expatriates are required to pay a BD100 deposit for their electricity and telephone services. There is no getting around this, but you are given a certificate which you can redeem... read more
Purchasing a Home
Expatriates can now purchase both property and land in Bahrain. You are entitled to own the full freehold title, and ownership grants you and your spouse residency in Bahrain. However,... read more
Mortgages
Mortgages are a new entity in Bahrain and an even newer concept for expatriates. The developers of each of the sites allowing ownership to expatriates have set up relationships with... read more
Other Purchasing Costs
The fees you need to pay in purchasing a house are at this stage individual to each development. Some of these have fixed service/maintenance charges. If you purchase through an agent... read more
Real Estate Law
At present you are only able to buy through one of the developers of the new residential areas in Bahrain. These companies have their own contracts relating to the sale and purchase of... read more
