xxjerrad
7/30/2010 13:22 EST
60-year-old USA couple moving to Kuwait. Job will be in Mishref. Questions about where to live? Salmiya is repeatedly suggested because it's within walking distance of shopping, etc., but others say it's too noisy and we'll only find apartments and they are small and not up to Western standards. Better to move inland and find second floor of a villa, but then we'll need to drive to get to shopping, etc. So where do we go?
We value a comfortable place to live in the range of 600 KD monthly. Like quiet (at night) but also like the convenience of an urban setting. Also want some space so we don't want a small apartment. Also important to be able to play piano in apartment without complaints.
Finally, we want to live near a Catholic church where there will be western expats if possible.
All suggestions will be appreciated.
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ppjim
From: United States
8/1/2010 01:24 EST
I just finished 3+ yrs in Kuwait. Below is some of my experiences:
Convenience to shopping - I just liked Salmiya a lot. I lived next to the Marina Mall in Salmiya for 3 years. Sure the traffic is bad, but really mostly on the weekend nights (Thur and Fri). Otherwise, it was very convenient.
As for noise, or play piano (I play guitar), apartment living is not conducive to that (neighbor complaints). Though I mostly have good neighbors who actually enjoyed my weekly choir practice. (I directed music for St Therese Catholic church).
A compromise is probably in Salwa where it is still traffic-ish in the traffic hours (mostly nights, especially in the weekends). Housing there is more like vila apartments (bigger and more noise isolated). I had considered and looked at apartments there, but I wanted to keep the convenience more than the bigger space.
As for Catholic churches for the public, there are 4 parishes (refer to the website: http://www.catholic-church.org/kuwait/). I am only familiar with 3 of them. One in Ahmadi (quite far (30min with light traffic) from Salmiya); one in Salmiya (St Therese where I directed music for a while) and the Cathedral in Kuwait City (15 min from Salmiya with light traffic).
Hope this helps. If you need more info, you are welcome to email me at "ppjim01@yahoo.com".
God bless
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MikeD
8/1/2010 01:44 EST
I've been here +2 years and live on Gulf road (Salmiya) overlooking the ocean. Small place sharing with another expat and we're both leaving within the next few months.
Sure - it's noisy what with SharaMaTam (restaurant street) next to us and gulf road in front of us but the only noise that bothers me is the unruly kids in our block that are left to runaround at night now that school is out.
I walk to City Centre and catch the 999 bus to Sultant Centre, Marina Mall and work so the convenience factor is a major plus.
The sea view makes up for apartment size and definitely helps ones' sanity in a drab and dusty country that offers no scenic beauty.
My flatmate takes evening strolls on the beach front to keep fit and I hit the Platinum gym down the road.
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inQ8since91
8/2/2010 16:43 EST
catholic church down town - forget living close to thre on that budget
600 can get you a floor in a kuwaitis house - private , quiet naighborhood - easy landlord
my expereince is if you live around expats you tend to be too isolated
west mishref, shahada, sadiq all near mishref
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kaye
8/4/2010 14:09 EST
Salmiya is the best spot. It really is the hub of Kuwait and the nicest part of town. There is the mall, supermarket, corniche all walking distance. You can get some lovely apartment around the American University area. I live in a busy part but my apartment faces away from the main road so it is quiet. Just make sure your apartment does not face the main road and you will be fine. Also, there are loads of restaurants, a marina and a catholic church all in this area. I find it very convenient and can walk everywhere. Also, near the sea. So anywhere around Marina Mall, I know others who have got some lovely apartments and you will be in a good price range. It will work out for you in this area. Others I know are forever coming to Salmiya on day trips, because it's the best spot, so why not live here. I also work in Mishref which is a 15 minute car ride away.
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markwithak
8/6/2010 13:38 EST
i guess the first thing that comes to mind is where are you working (if you are working) that will be a key on where to live.
If you are not working then you can live in lots of places that would meet the criteria.
I live in Manqaf which is outside the central city but is quiet. I live in the ground floor of a villa that came fully furnished for less than your budget for rent.
i play music and at times loud and my landlord who lives upstairs could care less. the neighborhood is quiet 99.9999% of the time.
The Hilton resort is 200 yards away so coffee shops and restaurants abound. Shopping is a 5 minute car ride down the street. More shopping than you will need and if the mood strikes then you can take a side trip to one of the larger malls.
And saying that this is really not a place that you can go without a car. Just watch out for the Kuwaitis - can't drive worth a damn!
i guess like i said - it depends if you are here to work. If you work downtown Manqaf is a thirty minute drive but if you are working on the outskirts or at the base then this place works.
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xxjerrad
8/6/2010 16:00 EST
Thank you -- thanks to all, the info is helpful!
I will be working in Mishref. Is that close to Manqaf?
Thanks again.
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olewhs
11/27/2011 03:52 EST
Salmiya is really nice. In kuwait you really need to be close to fun things to do so you can get out and do a little walking. it is stressfull sometimes driving here so I dont like to leave past 8 because of traffic. If you have not found a great p[lace to live yet check out western housing solutions, they are an American company ran by a couple americans and they can help. www.whs-kuwait.com
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GustavDow
12/6/2011 07:19 EST
Ive been living here in Kuwait for about a year now and i life the Mangaf through Fintas area personally. You live very close to other westerners and expats, there is shopping close by, and there is food from home near there too. shopping can be kind of a pain due to the fact they will over charge sometimes but all in all its a nice area.
Gustav@whs-kuwait.com
www.whs-kuwait.com
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marykate
12/13/2011 03:26 EST
I am an older American woman living in Kuwait. I live in Salmiya and I love it. I have a very western apartment and very large two bedrooms overlooking the gulf. It is on Amman St walking distance to the old souq and many restaurants. It is also at the end of 4th ring road with is a main throughfare to get pretty much anywhere in Kuwait. There are only two apartments on each floor so the building is quiet and I rarely hear the 4 year old boy next door. The rent is only 400kd and that includes all utilities except landline. Amman Street is busy and there is noise but I got use to it quickly and not close to a mosque so adhan will not wake you before dawn.
Good Luck! I hope this helps.
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