Thread: Anyone work or spend time in Bahrain?

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of living or working in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
I have an interview coming up to work there. It looks like it could be very hot and dusty. Also not as strict as Saudi or Kuwait I've heard as in you can drink in Bahrain. Also close enough to Dubai, and Qatar. Any experiences on this board in Bahrain?

My experience is only a short business visit. It is the MIddle East, so of course hot and plenty of sand. More liberal for westerners than its big neighbour, the crossing is busy at weekends when Saudis visit to go drinking. The Sunni/Shia split has caused social problems and severe repression in the past - although that needn't affect you so long as you don't start talking about it on social media. They host an F1 race every year, try to get an apartment overlooking the circuit.

Originally Posted by Shutree

They host an F1 race every year, try to get an apartment overlooking the circuit.

He'll probably have to build an apartment block first, as it's out in the desert.

Originally Posted by Shutree

try to get an apartment overlooking the circuit.

Ha, no thanks. Thanks for the tips though.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Oh, and for a culture that prides itself on a laid back feeling, they are quite aggressive drivers.



Do you know where you will be working?

I read that about the driving there.. can't be any worse than drivers in Kuwait.
It is north of Manama, on a man made island called Dihar Al-Muharraq. Seems a bit remote, north of the airport.
Thanks for the tips as well. I don't know for sure if I'll be going there at this time.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

Seems a bit remote

...nowhere in Bahrain is remote: although the island is tiny, you'll probably want to buy a car just to get around...

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

Ha, no thanks. Thanks for the tips though.
I read that about the driving there.. can't be any worse than drivers in Kuwait.
It is north of Manama, on a man made island called Dihar Al-Muharraq. Seems a bit remote, north of the airport.
Thanks for the tips as well. I don't know for sure if I'll be going there at this time.

Muharraq is a shithole really.

You're going to have to cross one of the bridges for a decent night out.

There are a couple of pubs in residential projects on the beach, but hideously overpriced.

Thanks for the tips folks.. mucho appreciated. I'm sure i'll have more to add and ask after the interview.
I am not sure I want to go to the ME again, but there are so many jobs there in UAE, Bahrain etc... and the salaries are quite good!

You'll definitely get a shag there, MM.

Originally Posted by hallelujah

You'll definitely get a shag there, MM.

I'm not really looking for a shag, but if you say so, Hal. LOL
I don't go to a place specifically thinking if I'll get a shag or not, maybe I'm strange or celibate or something otherly. lol

Originally Posted by david44

Agree with much of above used to pass through while working all over the Gulf. It is a refreshing place for a weekend drink in contrast to KSA but I preferred Oman and Qatar.

Qatar is an overpriced shithole.

Oman is scenic, but dull as fuck.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

Just wondering if anyone had any experience of living or working in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Yeah, it's hot and sandy.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

maybe I'm strange or celibate or something otherly

...those may not be the only options...

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Yeah, it's hot and sandy.

Actually it's not as sandy as you think and ten degrees cooler than Thailand right now.

...^true: asphalt and concrete tend to keep the sand in place...

Originally Posted by tomcat

asphalt and concrete tend to keep the sand in place

555 , and the abandoned debris

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Actually it's not as sandy as you think and ten degrees cooler than Thailand right now.

No shit, Captain Obvious

You clearly have sfa worth adding.

Originally Posted by cyrille

You clearly have sfa worth adding.

Clearly interested in helping MM with this momentous decision for her next probable move. Probably.

Originally Posted by happynz

I lived for six years in Khobar. The few times I crossed the causeway into Bahrain I was impressed by how much cleaner and well organised things were. Other than that, I can't say much about the place other than that the weather is basically the same as Dammam/Khobar/Dhahran

Weather is miserably hot for 7 months a year. August and September are notable for being both hot and humid, but no relieving rainstorms. There are dust-storms that can last a month. As detailed above, just about everywhere has AC so it's bearable.

Personally, I didn't mind living in the Gulf. Sure, there can be challenges and annoyances, but I found it laid back and profitable

Thanks for that post, hnz. I lived in Kuwait for a year, and the heat was bad, but I got used to it.
I'm not sure when the interview will be now, I replied yes, but haven't heard back about it. Also, applying other places even BKK. Could also secure a job here come June.. seems my life is up in the air atmoment. Starting to feel the need to move on, but not sure if I will at this point.

Even BKK? Wow. So many choices. So many options. You’re just like a wandering minstrel. How exciting.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

Clearly interested in helping MM with this momentous decision for her next probable move. Probably.

By talking out of your arse as usual.

Originally Posted by MarilynMonroe

Thanks for that post, hnz. I lived in Kuwait for a year, and the heat was bad, but I got used to it.
I'm not sure when the interview will be now, I replied yes, but haven't heard back about it. Also, applying other places even BKK. Could also secure a job here come June.. seems my life is up in the air atmoment. Starting to feel the need to move on, but not sure if I will at this point.

The biggest problem in Bahrain is the humidity. It doesn't even need to be that hot in August or September, it's just so damp and it's wearing if you're outside for more than a few minutes.