The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is not a new destination among Indian and Asian expatriates; since the area offers superior career opportunities, tax free earnings, and high quality of living with a good standard of living. Nevertheless, the increasing cost of living in the large cities has rendered affordability a major issue. Luckily, some cities of the GCC provide the ideal combination of low costs, employment opportunities, and an expat-friendly atmosphere. This is a glimpse of the best low-cost GCC cities that Indian and Asian expats can find in the area that do not affect their lifestyle. For more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.
Why is the budget a basic requirement for expats?
Saving money is as important an aspect to many expats as earning. The cheap housing, affordable food prices, affordable healthcare, and transportation are highly essential when it comes to selecting the right city. Low-cost cities enable expats to live in a comfortable manner, and they can send money back home or invest in the future.
Muscat, Oman – Peaceful, Cheap and Family Friendly.
The cost of living in Muscat is low compared to other capitals in the Gulf. The cost of rent, utilities, and groceries is not too high, and there is a quiet lifestyle in the city. The Indian and Asian communities are not new, and therefore, adapting to their culture is not difficult. Muscat is good in terms of families and professionals who are interested in stability and long-term savings.
Manama, Bahrain – Small City, Big Savings.
Amongst the cheapest GCC cities, one can find Manama. The cost of housing is also very low, and day-to-day living costs such as food and transportation are pocket-friendly. The liberal culture and the friendly disposition of the people of Bahrain, especially with regard to expatriates, render the country attractive to young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Sharjah, UAE – Dubai Alternative That is Affordable.
The living advantages of Sharjah in the UAE are not as expensive as those in Dubai. Dubai and Sharjah have a high number of expats who opt to stay in Sharjah because of the lower cost of renting and living. Sharjah has a good Indian and Asian population, good education opportunities and good connectivity, which makes it a wise destination among expatriates with limited budgets.
Dammam, Saudi Arabia – Cheap Prices and Booming Prospects
Dammam is attracting a lot of attention owing to the growing Saudi job market. It has cheap housing, cheap daily expenses, and infrastructure is being invested in. Oil and engineering professionals, as well as logistics professionals, are particularly attracted to the city to save more as they work in the Kingdom.
Doha (Suburban Areas), Qatar – Smart Living Beyond City Heart.
In Doha, the city is not cheap, and therefore, living in the city presents high costs, but in the suburbs, it is cheaper. The expats will have a comfortable way of life as they can select their neighbourhood with good salaries, contemporary infrastructure and better transport systems.
The selection of the city may be a big difference to the financial and personal well-being of the expat. These are cheap GCC cities that are popular among Indian and Asian expatriates, which offer affordability as well as opportunity, familiarity with the culture and potential long-term savings. Through proper organisation and choice of place, residence can make it a satisfying experience of living in GCC at a reasonable cost.