Moving To: Marrakech, Morocco
By ExpatExchange.com Member
Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.
Sofas, antiques, children's garden furniture, car, car seat and high chair. I wish I'd also left at home the t.v. and my husband (only joking!).
What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?
It would be a good idea to buy a home before moving out here as that makes life a lot easier or even rent one before you move. Do the first removals in one name so that you can have another load later in the other name. Get a recommended notaire and accountant before moving. Brush up on your French. Put your child down on the waiting list of a chosen school. Life is much easier if you live near the school and not the other side of town. Agents from the internet are very helpful.
What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?
A Villa, it is typical but you get a lot more villa for your money if you buy rather than if you rent.
How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?
Very difficult and expensive to rent here if you want a pool and garden - we ended up buying a villa. We found our home on the internet and by asking local people about what was for sale in the area.
Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?
Housing costs are less but seem to be increasing all the time. A 4 bed villa with large garden and pool, 9k out of town will cost you about 355,000. This price includes notaire fees but not estate agents which is another 2.5%.
Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.
Sofas, antiques, children's garden furniture, car, car seat and high chair. I wish I'd also left at home the t.v. and my husband (only joking!).
What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?
It would be a good idea to buy a home before moving out here as that makes life a lot easier or even rent one before you move. Do the first removals in one name so that you can have another load later in the other name. Get a recommended notaire and accountant before moving. Brush up on your French. Put your child down on the waiting list of a chosen school. Life is much easier if you live near the school and not the other side of town. Agents from the internet are very helpful.
What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?
A Villa, it is typical but you get a lot more villa for your money if you buy rather than if you rent.
How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?
Very difficult and expensive to rent here if you want a pool and garden - we ended up buying a villa. We found our home on the internet and by asking local people about what was for sale in the area.
Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?
Housing costs are less but seem to be increasing all the time. A 4 bed villa with large garden and pool, 9k out of town will cost you about 355,000. This price includes notaire fees but not estate agents which is another 2.5%.
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Comments about this Article
philip936We are thinking of moving to Morocco next year - 2015. Did you already have residency? Can one move belongings without it? What other advice do you have for anyone wanting to move to Morocco permanently. We have been to Marrakech for the past 15 years on holiday and done a lot of research, but still feel unprepared! Any help would be really gratefully received! Thank you, Phil
First Published: Nov 04, 2007
