I have been offered an employment in Bahrain with salary of BHD 900 per month. Is it enough to survive there?

Q: The company provides fully furnished accommodation, transport (to and from work only) and pays all the electricity, water and local calls bills. I would like to know how much should I allocate budget for food. For your kind information, I am from Malaysia and single. I love home cooking. Hence, I prefer to purchase fresh vegetables and fish to cook at home. On the other hand, is going around with taxis very expensive in Bahrain. I am not a very good driver and bad with direction. Thus, do not intend to purchase a car. Kindly advice. Your answer(s) is very much appreciated.

A: Dear BlueFair, BHD900 is enough for a single person like you. And you being an Asian (this is very important), you will be able to live and save out of this salary considering all other fixed expenses and basic goods (housing, electricity & water) are provided. Malaysian, Indonesian, Thais, Filipinos and other ASEAN's sinmple way of living is a key to your happy and satisfied living in Bahrain. Always remember, it's not how BIG is your take home salary but rather how SMALL is your expenses that counts. Bahrain, just like any other GCC countries offers tax-free living. Unlike ASEAN's countries where every individual are taxed to the max. Bahrain will offer you at least a breather. Home cooking is always preferred by south east asians but the problem here is that you're a single person and cooking for yourself only will require you to have foods cooked good for at least 3 meals to be able to really save. Just imagine cooking every meal... quite distressing and expensive as well in the long run. My other point of concern is transportation. Bahrain does not have a mass transport system like bus or train, etc. Rather, they have a taxi system which is not soo good compared to the other GCC standard. This means, you will have to use taxi for every move you will be doing there. Buying a car is an option but this will cost you at least BHD120/month if you are going to purchase a brand new japanese standard saloon cars payable in 3 years. Then the gas, maintenance and car insurance. You should consider then an additional BHD130/month for transportation cost. Then the last point of concern is your Medical and Dental Insurance. You should have this as part of your package. Otherwise, it could be very expensive for you to live in Bahrain having BHD900/m.

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