Where to live
Popular areas for expats in Amman are Abdoun (probably also the most expensive), Swefiah, Rabiah, Shmesani, Um Uthaina, or close to any of the circles from 3rd to 7th or in Webdeh (especially for students and younger people). Somehow, the more West you are the more expensive (Dabouq), and the more to the East you are, the more affordable it probably gets. The map below shows the Abdoun area, although maybe a bigger part than this will count towards it in reality.
Finding an apartment
When you moved to Jordan, there are several different ways to find an apartment. In the beginning you probably will stay in an alternative accommodation such as an Airbnb of in one of the Hotels in Amman. When you don’t speak Arabic you will not find the newspaper very useful. Hence, you can have a look at real estate agencies which focus on Expats. They usually will show you a few properties in the desired area and you can make a decision after seeing some different options. We found an apartment through distant family that already has been here before, so it was a bit easier.
You can have a look at Facebook groups such as Expats in Amman, Jordan Expats or search other websites, too. Also you will see many signs on buildings that are for rent or sale. This actually might be a good opportunity, because you can have a look at places in a certain area and then give it a go, although again it might help to have somebody with you who speaks Arabic. Finally, there is also an App now, that makes finding an apartment in Jordan easier. Lyv allows you to search for properties around you or in a specific area.
Most of the buildings are 4 floors high (above the ground) and have a square layout. Size has a different dimension here opposed to Europe, so it is fairly normal that 2-3 bedroom apartments are around 130-200 sqm large. I don’t want to go too much into prices as, like everywhere, they depend much on the area, age, size and other characteristics such as parking spots, view, furniture and of course general conditions and quality of appliances.
Rental Prices in Amman
However, for a single, a 1-2 bedroom apartment (furnished) that has descent quality in a good area (see the above mentioned) can range from 400 – 900 JD/month. The more rooms you have or the more special the apartment or home, the higher costs can get. A 2-3 bedroom apartment (furnished) might cost around 7.000 – 16.000 JD/year. If you look at something more luxurious, prices might start from 15.000 JD/year with open end…
Of course if you go for flat sharing or a family share etc. it can get much cheaper. You might find rooms as little as 180 JD a bit outside of the center.
Paying Rent and additional costs
It is common that rent will be paid for 6 or 12 months in advance, especially when you are a foreigner, at least it is expected. Since many expats get compensated for moving into another country and/or might receive a housing allowance (upfront), these huge costs can in many cases be covered.
However, not everybody is in that situation and landlords should also understand that. Before making such a huge payment, be sure you are comfortable with the place and location you choose. Make sure everything works before you pay as it might be hard to impossible to get back any of that money paid upfront and you end up staying there for a year at least.
Be cautious, as there have been numerous stories about deposits not being paid back, maintenance not being done or with the expectations that you as a tenant pay for those, although you are renting a furnished apartment. Therefore, you should carefully investigate, look at the place, the functions, discuss the above mentioned points, write down these issues in the contract and at all costs try to bargain and also reduce the amount paid upfront. Even if the time to give notice would be 3 months, a monthly payment is fair enough in my eyes.
Guard/Haris
Most of the apartments will have a “guard” living probably in the basement. These guards are mostly from Egypt and they also provide other services such as going to the supermarket, bringing and picking clothes from the dry cleaner or cleaning the car if agreed upon. The fee is usually between 25-40 JD/month per household. You pay this money directly in cash. It is a good idea to obtain some sort of proof of the payment, in case it comes to any arguments.
Electricity
Electricity is provided by mainly/partially governmental owned companies. It is moderately priced if you do not use too much air condition or other heavy use such as heating with electricity. Due to the fact that the price per kWh becomes more expensive the more you use, you should watch your consumption. However, as family with 2 children, heating water with a boiler and using a washing machine fairly often, we tend to pay an average of 35 JD/month, while in Winter it might be as much as 60-70 JD, in summer it can be less than 20 JD. This is calculated as an average over the past 3.5 years. The actual selling price for the private consumer is below the production price and electricity is subsidized by the government.
Sometimes the guard (see above) can go and pay it for you or you can pay it at certain supermarkets such as safeway next to 7th circle and also via online banking, efawateer (the Jordanian online payment service for several bills) which I do through Arab Bank. Also see my post on E-Fawateer.com – or how to pay your bills in Jordan. Either way, you should be presented with the electricity bill and get to see it, so you know what you owe. It is also a good idea to have a look at it, before you move into the apartment and make sure it has been paid by the previous tenant as it otherwise will just be added on the next months bill.
Water
Paradoxically, Jordan being one of the driest countries on the planet, water is still cheap compared to Europe, again because it is subsidized. Each quarter we pay around 12 JD. While certain areas in the country do struggle with water supply and some many household in non-urban regions do not have water on a regular basis, the households in (Western) Amman do have regular, constant water supply. We haven’t experienced any water shortage, yet. However, keep in mind to save as much as you can. Also, the last winter (2016/2017 and 2018/2019) had a lot of rain and therefore water was not as scarce as in the last 7-8 years.
Similar to the electricity bill you can pay in several ways and also via online banking through eFawateer, which I do.
Drinking Water
As most people do, we do not drink water from the tab. In order to avoid to many plastic bottles and carrying heavy water supply, we order Drinking Water from Nestle. The service is convenient and the water does not cost more than if you would buy it from the store, although we usually give a tip. Depending on your area, they will come on a certain day a week. Since we are at work, when they come, we just put the bottles in front of our apartment door with the money next to it and when we return from work we have new bottles of water. The initial bottle costs 5 JD deposit and a refill is currently 2.70 JD for 5 Gallons or 18.9 L. For orders check their website or call (06) 550 5500. Recently, Nestle introduced these vouchers, so you can just put them next to the bottles.
Gas
Around 98% of families in Jordan cook with gas, so will you probably. Cooking with gas is very convenient and professional cooks do it alike. A full large gas cylinder costs around 7 JD at the moment and they are fixed so should not cost more. Your guard, see above, might help you with contacting the seller and installing the bottle wherever it is supposed to be installed. Also, you will hear the little trucks with a typical melody driving through the city. That way you know when the supplier is driving past your home. For us a bottle lasts around 2-3 months. We often cook but also go to restaurants for dinner. All in all it is a very cheap source of energy supply. If your place has the option of installing two bottles at the same time, it is a great solution, so you can never run out of gas. There is also an app to order gas cylinders in Amman. Read here the current gas and fuel prices for Jordan.
Heating – Diesel
We have central heating using Diesel. Not very efficient or ecologic but, that’s what we have. Over the last years we had average costs of about 42 JD per month. Again, keep in mind you probably don’t need the heater for 8-9 months a year. However, during the months of November to February, sometimes even March/April you probably want to heat your space up at some point, especially if you have kids. The buildings are by far not isolated to what you might be used to from other countries. As I compare it to Germany, it is miserable. Often inside it is colder than outside. As mentioned above, don’t use the AC as long term heater. That is just way too expensive. A gas heater might be an option. Put carpets and rugs on the ground, keep all the windows, doors and jalousie shut and wear something warm.
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