If you want to experience a beautiful country with a rich history, you should consider moving to Jordan. Given that this kingdom has been located on the crossroads of many cultural intersections, you’ll experience centuries of cultural mixtures on its busy streets. You’ll hear Egyptian, Syrian and Iraqi accents, eat fantastic Levant food, and bear witness to the nomadic heritage and desert traditions of the Bedouin. But before you get there, read our guide on everything to know about Jordanian life.
What to Expect When Moving to Jordan from the US?
Jordan is a beautiful Middle Eastern country located right on the river bank. It is bordered by Israel and Palestine in the west, Syria in the north, Iraq in the northeast, and Saudi Arabia in the East and South. This constitutional monarchy is home to about 2,5 million people, and a lot of them live in the capital Amman, the majority of which are Sunni Muslims. Arabic is the official language, but you’ll be happy to know that breaking the language barrier won’t be a must since English is widely spoken.
If you are a fan of a more Mediterranean climate, you’ll adore Jordanian dry, warm summer and mild winters. When it comes to the weather, this is truly one of the best countries to live in. Although winters tend to be quite rainy, the temperatures don’t normally fall below 53,6 F, even on the coldest of days. In the city, the highest temperature goes for about 102,2 so unless you are used to much colder temperatures, you will enjoy the sunny Jordanian days.
Is Jordan a Good Place to Live?
The Kingdom has a high quality of living, and in comparison to the rest of the Arab world, it’s among the best places to live abroad in. It is considered to be the most politically stable in the region, and additionally, it has a very low crime rate, so you will be able to go about your life in a calm manner.
If you are a woman wondering whether Jordan is a safe country for women, don’t sweat too much. The place is actually among the leading ones when it comes to women’s rights in the Middle East, as women here are highly educated, can travel freely, and choose whether they wish to wear a headscarf or not. However, you should be aware you are not about to move to Denmark, so expat women should expect that they might have to dress more modestly to avoid harassment on the streets. While they will be free to work and do so more and more, as workforce opportunities increase and take part in daily social activities, foreign-looking females might be safer in clothes that are looser and less tight-fitting.
What Are the Most Livable Cities One Should Consider Moving to?
Your life in Jordan will severely differ depending on where you decide to live in this country, especially if you are a woman. While in some bigger cities you won’t run into any problems, in other smaller rural areas people might look at you strangely or won’t want to shake your hand. So, for male and female expats alike, who want to slowly get used to living in this culture, we recommend starting out in one of the following places:
- Amman – Most people who decide on moving abroad, will probably choose to settle in the beautiful earth-toned capital with vast expat communities. It is a very modern city, with a vivid life as well as a bunch of large multinational corporations that might help you get a job and find your reason to move. We recommend looking into expat-friendly neighborhoods like Abdoun, Swefiah, and Shemesani as potential new places of residence.
- Zarqa – For those looking into a city with renting options cheaper than the capital, Zarqa is a great pick. The Blue City, as its name translates, is the most populous one after the capital and is only 15 miles away. It is also the industrial center, storing over half of all the factories, so it might be a great place to begin your job search.
- Aqaba – Aqaba is a modern place with a vast tourist life and thriving nature. Other than enjoying beautiful mountains and spectacular coral reefs, in this popular area, as a woman, you’ll be able to move without any constraints. Other than that, you’ll be able to also visit amazing beaches and use water sports and diving facilities.
How Available Are Jobs to an Expat?
We are sure that many of our readers are wondering: “Can I immigrate to Jordan and get a stable job there?” The answer is yes, but it won’t be as easy as you might wish. You should expect your job interview to be filled with questions you’ll ask your prospective employer, but even more so with those they’ll ask you. That’s because here, unlike for those moving to the UAE, employers have to prioritize nationals when scouting new employees, and can hire an American only if they can prove they are a better-skilled candidate.
The biggest sectors are construction and manufacturing, so if you are looking for job opportunities those should be the first ones to check out. Oh, and don’t forget – the weekend here starts on Fridays, and the working week starts on Sundays. So, if you plan on keeping in touch with your friends back home, take this into consideration when planning your weekly video calls.
What Documents Do You Need When Moving to Jordan from the US?
The good thing about the Jordanian visa bureaucracy is that, if you wish to check out the place before deciding to move abroad for good, you can do so without going through much trouble. You won’t have to worry about obtaining visas in this case but can get a pass on the border. The minimum stay through the pass is four days.
If you wish to stay longer, you can get a single-entry document with which you’ll be able to stay up to thirty consecutive days. And once you decide that you’d like to stay for longer, you can move on to applying for a residence permit or citizenship.
How Can I Move to Jordan for Good?
Once you decide that moving overseas permanently is the way to go, you should consider obtaining a permanent residency or citizenship. Due to factors like a lower birth rate, many countries, including the Hashemite Kingdom, have relaxed the criteria for obtaining a permanent residence or citizenship. And since 2018, permanent residency and citizenship are easily obtained through the Investment Program.
To get a permanent residence by investment, you’ll need to buy a property worth at least $280,000 and keep it for at least five years. And if citizenship is what you’re striving for, you should take the same route – however, the price of the property shouldn’t be lower than $1 million. Here are some other criteria you should fill out unless you are a wife of a Jordanian, in which case you should check with the Jordanian embassy what criteria relates to your case specifically:
- You speak and read Arabic,
- You are of good conduct, sound mind, and without disabilities,
- You’ve lived there for five consecutive years as a non-Arab, or fifteen as an Arab,
- You can obtain a work permit.
For more information on obtaining a Jordanian nationality, especially if you are relocating for love, that is through marriage, we recommend checking out the following video.
What Is the Cost of Living in the Hashemite Kingdom?
If you are about to move overseas, get ready to exchange US dollars for Jordanian Dinars, the ratio of which is $1 to 0,71 dinar. And whatever currency you calculate your costs in, you can expect them to be much lower here than in the US. Anything from housing to healthcare, education, and daily living expenses will be significantly more affordable than back home.
The price of rent for a three-bedroom apartment, for example, will cost you less than renting a one-bedroom back home – about $400-$590. However, changing your address might feel a bit off in the beginning because postal addresses don’t exist. If you want to explain to your friends where exactly you live abroad, you’ll have to describe it in detail and to get a postal box to receive their letters. For it, you’ll have to go to the post office and pay.
How Much Do You Have to Make at Your Job to Cover the Living Cost Without Anyone’s Help?
Any person wondering can a US citizen live in Jordan will first have to figure out what a good salary there is. In terms of the average salary, they actually rank 65th globally, which is not half bad. The minimum wage per month is 268 dinars, which is approximately $378. However, the average pay is about twice as much, amounting to $637. So, if you want to avoid the relocation stress that comes with making ends meet after you’ve relocated across the world, make sure you’ve secured a paycheck that exceeds the minimum wage.
What to Expect From Jordanian Amenities?
When it comes to amenities, you will surely run into some hits and misses. While there will be more of the first ones, expect that not everything will always go your way. That being said, services in the Kingdom are more than good, they are just probably a bit different from what you know, so they might take some time to get used to.
Both Private and Public Healthcare Is Available, And Both of Them Are Phenomenal
Jordan is known for having a world-class healthcare system and was even ranked number one in the region and fifth in the world in the matter by the World Bank. You can expect that the prices of healthcare are around 10-30% of costs in the United States. While the private medical institutions provide about 36% of hospital beds, you can expect great services in the public sector too. And if you still haven’t managed to learn the language, you’ll be happy to know that most doctors speak English, and since a lot of them studied overseas, they are proficient in it too.
Jordan’s School System Is Highly Successful
If you or your children wish to continue education in Jordan, you’ll be happy to know that education doesn’t lag behind. Actually, the school system’s success is very high, achieving 95% of enrollment and 98% literacy among its population. All primary and secondary education is free of cost and compulsory for all children until they reach the age of 15, so this actually might be a great place to move with a family. And after this part of education is done, students take an exam known as Tawjihi which dictates their options of attending a University.
Public Transportation Is Not the Most Reliable, But There Are Ways Around Its Problems
You’ll be glad to know that public transportation in Jordan is affordable, although if you are a punctual person, you should brace yourself that the buses will be a bit late at times. So, if you want to get around more easily, you might decide that driving is the way to go. So, you may decide on shipping overseas your own vehicle or consider using an Uber or Careem for more easily plannable transportation options.
Experience Jordan at Its Finest as Soon as You Move
As soon as you get here, there are so many musts you’ll need to experience. And we are about to introduce the first few you should get out of the way while you can still call yourself a tourist. And once you’ve checked all of these boxes, you’ll already feel as if you belong:
- Visit the ancient Petra – How lucky are you to live in the same place as one of the most magnificent ancient cities? It is more than 2,000 years old and was an integral part of the Silk Route. And if you want to experience it in the most magical way possible, we recommend going there at night – you won’t be sorry.
- Swim (or rather float) in the Dead Sea – Given that soon you’ll be living overseas near the saltiest sea in the world, you shouldn’t wait too long to take a dip. And while you’re at it, take your favorite book with you because you’ll be able to read it while in the water!
- Take a walk through Wadi Rum – The incredible desert with cliffs and stone arches is a true one-of-a-kind experience. If you didn’t know, this is where Lawrence of Arabia began his journey, which is why a mesmerizing rock formation got its name after his autobiography – The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.
Even If You Get Local Customs And Laws Wrong, You Can Expect a Kind and Friendly Response
Given that Jordan is a Muslim country, you should expect to hear five prayers a day. And while you may find it strange in the beginning, after a few weeks you’ll surely get used to it. However, this is not the only cultural difference you might expect to run into when relocating to a place so different from the US. So, among the things you can expect are men wearing makeup and people getting into your personal space constantly and asking you questions about your family and romantic aspirations even more frequently than when you visit your aunt. However, these are just some things you’ll have to get used to and find your own ways to navigate.
Contrary to stereotypes about Arabs being arrogant, you’ll soon see how kind and hospitable Jordanians are. And while they can be socially conservative, there’s not a high chance you’ll run into problems if you break a custom by accident. As long as you mean to be respectful, you’ll find yourself living in the friendliest country in the world, where everyone will show understanding and hospitality.
While Water Is Scarce, Food Is Unlike Anything You’ve Tried
One of the greatest cultural shocks you might experience is related to water. Jordan is a country with scarce water resources, so every house has a switch you can flick to get your weekly water delivery. By turning on the switch, you’ll be sending a request that will make the water tank in your home fill up. And for all those wondering if liquor and pork are available, you’ll be glad to hear that they are, although there’s not a great culture of consuming either one of them here. And while they might be a bit harder to find for that reason, if you put your mind to it, you won’t have a problem obtaining either.
However, with great foods and astounding cuisine, you won’t be needing much pork nor liquor on the table. But, before you decide on relocating here, just make sure you are used to spices. That’s because the delicious mix of Bedouin flavors and local versions on Levant’s dishes tend to be spicy. And once you’re used to the tastes, you won’t crave anything other than fresh mansaf, tasty falafel, or Bedouin tea and coffee.
If You Are Keen on Moving Internationally, Make Sure to Hire an Overseas Moving Company to Get You and Your Belongings Safely to the Hashemite Kingdom
If you decide to move to the Hashemite Kingdom, you might find the transition easier with the help of an international moving company. Not only can an overseas shipping company help you by providing packing services or taking your items to your new home in Amman, but also take the surplus of items to a storage unit. Whatever assistance you might need, call up a relocation company near you and start your move today.
