SlemaniBob
American expat in Iraq
Forum posts
39
Contacts
5
About me
American
Lives in Sulemania
Registration: 02 July 2014
IRAQ SULAYMANIYAH by mudimelaramesh
Dear All Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 3 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost.iam from india now iam working in kuwait.. Regards M Ramesh Reddy
There are taxi's everywhere and they are completely safe. The standard fare is 4000 riyal, which is cheap. I do not recommend getting a car because you can not buy insurance (it doesn't exist). If you were to get into a serious accident, ... Read More
IRAQ SULAYMANIYAH by mudimelaramesh
Dear All Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 3 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost.iam from india now iam working in kuwait.. Regards M Ramesh Reddy
There is an economic crisis. There have been occasional strikes and power outages. Could get better or could get worse, probably worse. There is no danger from ISIS. Only danger would be accidentally getting caught up in a demonstration about ... Read More
What do you like the most in Iraq?
Like most expats, I came to Iraq (Kurdistan) to work / make money. For me the two best things are hiking in natural areas and the easy availability of fresh food. The second thing might surprise some people, but Sulaymania is a major bread basket. ... Read More
Moving to Iraq with kids
Iraq is one of two countries in the world where they are still putting lead in the gasoline. This means your kids will get daily lead exposure. And the education system is weak. Read More
Volunteering in Iraq
Where in Iraq? It's a failed state and each region is vastly different. The choice of volunteer organization would depend on two things, how you fit in politically/religiously and what skills you offer. Read More
British International School Mosul Road Kurdistan BISK by Rucked off
Hi, I have two British friends who just left the British International School, Mosul Road, Kurdistan. I am considering contracts for next year. My friends said the school was badly managed, they were told they were going to be moved out of their ...
Which part encouraged you to apply? Read More
any English teachers in Kurdistan? by james ludwick
Hi I'd like to communicate with ESL teachers in Kurdistan ...seeking info on opportunities,conditions,salaries etc Thanks
Assuming you're not just trolling us...no, you have to be able to spell English before you can teach it. Read More
any English teachers in Kurdistan? by james ludwick
Hi I'd like to communicate with ESL teachers in Kurdistan ...seeking info on opportunities,conditions,salaries etc Thanks
American University Dohuk is looking for people for summer and fall. They are brand new and still in a rather chaotic state. You would be responsible for finding your own accommodation. But apart from that, it wouldn't be a bad gig. Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
Suicide bomber detonated on a busy street near US consulate in Ainkawa yesterday. Killed 1 and seriously injured 5. Be advised. Read More
is erbil safe ?
Yesterday in Erbil... "the bomber had killed one person and wounded five others. It was not immediately clear who had been killed. The blast produced a plume of black smoke that rose high above the Ankawa district, a predominantly Christian ... Read More
any English teachers in Kurdistan? by james ludwick
Hi I'd like to communicate with ESL teachers in Kurdistan ...seeking info on opportunities,conditions,salaries etc Thanks
Bank to bank transfers are not a simple matter. It depends on which country you are from and can be very expensive. As an American I have to resort to sending the cash back via western union. It's not a bad way to go as long as you have someone ... Read More
Is Sulaymaniyah is safe by tatul
Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 2 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost of living .. SInce i have an offer of 2500USD and housing allow. is it enough for living there? Thanks Atul
Still in Suli yes. It's more beautiful than Erbil and the climate is more temperate. The expat community is tiny. Erbil is much more international. If you like going to bars, go to Erbil. If you're quiet / reserved and like immersing ... Read More
safety and security in Erbil and Dohuk by chatmerr
Hello, I hope everyone is doing great. I am planning to travel and work in Kurds(Erbil and Dohuk)for like 3 months. How safe is the kuredestian zone please? Thank you dears.
Sabis pays well and takes good care of their people. They work you like a robot though. You will have 30+ contact hours per week plus a lot of meetings and training and you have to teach using their methodology, which means delivering their prepared ... Read More
safety and security in Erbil and Dohuk by chatmerr
Hello, I hope everyone is doing great. I am planning to travel and work in Kurds(Erbil and Dohuk)for like 3 months. How safe is the kuredestian zone please? Thank you dears.
Because it is relatively safe, the Peshmerga are winning the war. They are on the offensive pushing ISIS out of the surrounding villages now. So to the average person here it seems 100% safe. But then as a westerner you have to be aware that ISIS ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
It is vulnerable to attack and lacks alternative routes. So yes, not secure. Not particularly scared personally because I know this territory is currently controlled by Peshmerga. But daesh attacked 25km southwest of Erbil just last week. This is ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
No idea of what? My point is that if that road is closed for any reason you are not getting to Erbil, which was part of my bigger point that the only way out of this place in an emergency is the airport. What's your point? Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
Prolly nothing will happen. But there is no way out other than the airport. You don't want to head west, cuz Kirkuk is unstable or south cuz Baghdad is stable, and definitely not east, cuz that's Iran. Road to the north is not secure. ... Read More
Cost of living in Iraq 2015 by expat.com
Hi all, We invite you to talk about the cost of living in Iraq in 2015, with an updated price listing. Don't forget to mention in which city of Iraq you are living in. How much does it cost to live in Iraq? > accommodation prices > ...
City - Sulaymaniyah Beer at a bar / hotel - 4,000 ID My groceries per month - 480,000 ID FastLink internet modem small package - 40,000 ID/month In-town taxi ride - Supposed to be fixed at 4,000 but they'll try for 5,000 if foreigner. I ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
I had to travel there two weeks ago with some colleagues and we were stopped and not permitted entrance into the city because my colleagues were arabs and there had been a recent bombing attack. No matter when you ask this question tho, people will ... Read More
How secure Baghdad, Iraq is now a days for expats
Not safe at all. Anbar is currently controlled by Daesh (IS). Read More
Opening a bank account - what documents do i need? by Jonathan1974
Moving to Erbil in Jan and want to open a bank account up with either Standard Chartered or Citigroup. Any ideas as to how easy this is? I.e. what sort of documentation do I need etc.? Many thanks in advance!
You need your passport or residency card, but bring both if you have them just in case. You also need your contract stating the amount of your salary or a letter from your employer to the same effect. Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
British International School of Suli was looking for a Geography teacher for years 7 to 11, candidate must be native or near native English speaker, posted on Oct 27. Contact Info Phone 0770 478 ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
No question Erbil has a more opportunity for westerners to socialize. We have bars here, but the patrons are mostly Kurdish men. I'm not much of a drinker or social person, so it doesn't bother me much. I tend to hang out with Syrian ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
Mosul is very much under Daesh control, it's the capital of Sunnistan and probably will be for at least the next 30 years. The proximity of Erbil isn't so much of an issue as much as Erbil being the central locus of the international effort ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
It's hard not to fall for the romantic notion of greater Kurdistan, until you think about the horrible cost of such a civil war in Turkey. Think of the American civil war and whether the south should have attempted to secede and then ask ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
It is not plausible that you would befriend someone aligned with Daesh (IS). You probably won't even interact with many Sunni Arabs here, much less religiously zealous ones. What is very plausible, and in fact very likely if you work with any ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline by SlemaniBob
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ...
I've noticed that the schools are pretty bad at recruiting, that the jobs are there, but only available through direct contact with the school. Also the pay is surprisingly not bad. The xpat teachers at the elementary thru high schools make as ... Read More
Security in Iraqi Kurdistan on the Decline
Increasing number of bombings in towns all over Iraqi Kurdistan, not all publicized. US embassy advising its citizens to leave. Travel between cities not advised. Advised not to attend large gatherings. Many xpats heading out. University enrollments ... Read More
Moving to Erbil by Paul McLaren
Hi everyone, I am thinking of moving to Erbil, in particular the Ankawa area. Does anyone know anything about taking pets out there and the possibility of having them cared for whilst I have to leave the area for a few weeks. I have lived in Iraq ...
I wonder if you'll run into difficulties getting the pets back into the US given the current gaps in consular services. When I brought pets back from Saudi I had to have papers signed by government ministries, but you might find difficulties ... Read More
Life in Sulaymania iraq for single working mother? by movingtosuli
Dear All, I am considering a move to Iraq Sulaimaniya as i have got some offer. However, i am single mother of a toddler. Can anyone please tell me if there are nice daycare facilities in Sulaymania? Are good nannies easily available? Can i bring ...
Erbil has a much larger expatriate community and you will more easily find services and products geared towards your needs. Suli by contrast has a smaller xpat community and things are slightly less available, but you can still get everything you ... Read More
Is Sulaymaniyah is safe by tatul
Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 2 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost of living .. SInce i have an offer of 2500USD and housing allow. is it enough for living there? Thanks Atul
Very safe. I go out at all hours of the night without problem. They are definitely being over cautious. There has never been a recorded kidnapping of a westerner here and there's no evidence that it would happen. There's multiple factors ... Read More
Life in Sulaymania iraq for single working mother? by movingtosuli
Dear All, I am considering a move to Iraq Sulaimaniya as i have got some offer. However, i am single mother of a toddler. Can anyone please tell me if there are nice daycare facilities in Sulaymania? Are good nannies easily available? Can i bring ...
There is no crisis in Suli, it is completely tranquil here. That being said, this is not a good place to bring a toddler. The culture in general is somewhat backward with a general disregard for health and safety, especially for kids. You would not ... Read More
IRAQ SULAYMANIYAH by mudimelaramesh
Dear All Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 3 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost.iam from india now iam working in kuwait.. Regards M Ramesh Reddy
I suggest you confine your search to Sulaymaniyah. None of the other areas are nearly as safe. Erbil is very mixed and getting a lot of refugees and CIA is building a huge base there which can't be a good sign. Dohuk is conservative. SuliTown is ... Read More
Issues Pertaining to Kurdistan
You can't generalize about 'Kurdistan'. It is more like city-states than a single nation. Where are you going within Kurdistan? And no, no rules about not expatriating money. You may expatriate 100% and there is no income or sales taxes. Read More
Is Sulaymaniyah is safe by tatul
Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 2 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost of living .. SInce i have an offer of 2500USD and housing allow. is it enough for living there? Thanks Atul
Uh, you ignoring my post from the other thread? It's crazy safe. I've been walking all over town every afternoon and evening. Yesterday I got wasted at an Irish pub. Everyone is all about peace and love. There's murals all over the ... Read More
IRAQ SULAYMANIYAH by mudimelaramesh
Dear All Hi, I am moving to sulaymaniyah after 3 month. I just want to know about safety and other aspects like cost.iam from india now iam working in kuwait.. Regards M Ramesh Reddy
I am teaching English in Sulaymania. It is completely safe, no areas to avoid, no danger in taking street taxi's. No compounds with checkpoints etc... They didn't even ask me why I was entering the country. Didn't search my bags, ... Read More