Help to all expats

For the expats who relocate to Amman (welcome aboard), please consider the necessary below guides/hints that might be helpful and save some of your time.

Security
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1. In case you get in trouble, example: fire at home, sharp sickness, feel unsafe, etc. then never hesitate to call (911). This number works even from international phones and with phones without SIM card. It calls the operation center of Jordan which handles everything (police, civil defense, electricity, etc.)
2. Jordan is very safe country but for females, we advise not to go alone at night after 22:00 in case the place is not public and has no people.

Language
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The main language conducted is Arabic. You can speak in English but not in every places. Not all taxi drivers know English. We have listed important Arabic words/phrases with their translation that would be useful,

Currency
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1. One JD = 1.4 USD = 1.25 Euro, and there are currency exchange shops inside the airport.
Amman Major Areas
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Amman basically is extended around 8 circles (roundabouts). Those roundabouts are organized within a straight line. The distance between each circle is around 2 to 3 KM. Best active areas are the ones which are located in the west of Amman. Major areas with their relative location to roundabouts as below:
1. Shmeisani (close to 5th Circle) (west)
2. Abdoun (close to 4th circle) (west)
3. Sweifieh (close to 7th circle) (west)
4. Abdali (near by Shmeisani) (west)
5. Jabal Al Webdeh (near by Abdali) (west)
6. Khilda (close to 7th Circle) (west)
7. Jordan University area (far from roundabouts) (north of Amman)
8. Sweileh (far a bit from roundabouts) (north of Amman)
9. Tabarbour (far a bit from roundabouts) (north of Amman)
10. Abu Nseir (far a bit from roundabouts) (north of Amman)
11. Tlaa Al Ali (far a bit from roundabouts) (north/west of Amman)

Transportation
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1. Transportation by taxi is the easiest way to move in Amman as the local bus consumes time and not available after sunset but sure it is cheaper
1-A. The taxi rate (tariff) is counted by an electronic counter placed below the car stereo. The driver must turn it on (by law) to count the rate (I think this is not applicable for [Airport Taxis] as they have fixed charges showed on a banner at the airport
1-B. The Taxi Tariff in Amman is (0.25 for the start + 0.3 JD for each KM). If the taxi waits for 1 hour (due to traffic, or as per your request) you should pay 5 JD. If you move between the major aforesaid areas above, then the taxi rate would vary between 1 JD to 4 JD. The night tariff is a bit more expensive than the day tariff
1-C. The airport has a special taxi (beige color not yellow[normal taxi] ) and as I remember the tariff from the airport to any of Amman major roundabouts areas is around 20 JD. The airport taxi tariff is written on a board in the airport, so look at it before you ride
1-D. There is a special taxi company works inside Amman called (Al Mumayaz) and their taxis can be requested by phone or by spotting on the street. The number to call (06-57-99999)and the service is 24/7, 24 hours. It is a bit more expensive than the normal taxi (yellow one)
2. If you want to rent a car, the rent rate ranges from 20 JD to 300 JD (depending on the car brand)
2-A. Gasoline price now is 0.55 JD per litter for the 90 class. The price changes according to the international prices.
3. You can use Uber to get to the airport or inside the city. The rate for the airport is 15 JD.
4. You can use the Sariyah bus to go to/from the airport for only 2.65 JD, search in the posts for "Sariyah" and you will find two detailed posts.

Housing
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The below rates are for single bedroom and two bed rooms apartments in west/north of Amman per month:
* For furnished single bedroom apartment or studio: ranges between 200 JD to 400 JD.
* For furnished two bedrooms apartment: ranges between 375 JD to 500 JD)
The rent rate might be less or more depending on the location and the quality.

Mobile Phones
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1. There are only 3 mobile network operators (Zain, Orange and Umniah). The oldest one is Zain and the youngest one is Umniah. Their coverage is good for all of them but I recommend Zain first then Orange as they are operating since long time. One more thing, lot of people have Zain lines so it will be cheaper for you to call Zain if you gain a Zain line
1-A. Phone calls rate differs according to the mobile operators and the offer you subscribed with. Local calls range between (0.01 JD to 0.08 JD) and international calls approx (0.15 JD to 0.40 JD, also consider the destination)
1-B. You can get SIM card easily from any mobile shop which are plenty. I bought a Zain SIM card before few days for just 1 JD (without having any credit inside). So be careful. From Jordanians they require the identity card, so probably you will need a passport copy to register the line with your name
Food (Restaurants and Coffee Shops)
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1. There are many nice restaurants/coffee shops in Amman which serve all type of foods (Arabian, Mexican, American, Western, etc.). Each mall has a food court and plenty of coffee shops (Costa, Starbucks, etc). If you want to try a tasy Arabian food, then I advise you to go to:
1.A. City mall food court and try "Kabab Express". The rate for the full mixed grill meal there is approx 10 JD
1-B. Another restaurant for Arabian breakfast or dinner only "Al Tarweiaa" in Shmeisani
1-C. If you need to enjoy the Arabian traditional atmosphere (coffee, tents, fountains, etc.) then "Tawaheen Al Hawa" is a great choice (close to Al Waha Roundabout in Al Mainda Al Munawwara Street). Their rate is 15 JD for the mixed grill meal and it includes also for free free (fruits, Arabian sweets and Arabian coffee).

Shopping
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1. Most of the shops open at 10 AM and close at 11 or 12 mid night (including shopping malls)
1-A. Biggest/famous malls in Amman are Mecca Mall, Taj Mall and City Mall, they include everything. Miles is located in Mecca Mall, main Carrefour shop is located in City Mall and Spinneys is located in Taj Mall and they have other branches in different places
1-B. If you are looking for a traditional shop for used/stock world wide items (clothes, bags, shoes's) and also fruits, then there is a big one in Ras Al Ain (just few meters from third circle) it opens from Thursday morning till Friday evening. It is extended over a huge area.

Sports
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1. If you want to subscribe with GYM's/swimming pool, then I recommend Fitness First, it is an international GYM and has got 3 branches in Amman (in Abdoun + Shmeisani + Mecca Mall[closed now]). They have a GUEST plans if you don't want to go daily, this plan is very cheap comparing to the fancy services you get from the GYM. Please drop me a message if you want to know more
2. There is a sport city close to Shmeisani called Al Hussein Sport City. You can practice many sports(tennis, swimming, squash, etc.) there and it is a nice place to run or enjoy the walkor to sit with friends, etc. It has got a museum too called (Sarh Al Shaheed)

Tourism
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1. There are plenty of historical places to visit like Jarash (in north), Petra and Wadi Rum (in south), there are trips organized by groups and tourism/travel agencies (like Dallas) which are located in Abdali area. JETT are kicking off daily trips to all tourism areas
2. If you want to swim and enjoy the beach, then either you go to Dead Sea (40 mints far from Amman by car) or Aqaba beach (4 hours far from Amman)

For any other help you can contact me