The Ultimate Guide: Which city is best to live in Oman?

Wondering which city is best to live in Oman?

You’ve got several job possibilities or you’re starting a business in the country. But which place would be the best fit for you to live in? 

You’re no doubt familiar with the capital, Muscat, and its ‘picture perfect’ bay. But you may prefer to live in a smaller town or a village closer to nature. In this post, based on my own experience, I am assessing the pros and cons of living in 8 very different cities and towns in Oman. After reading this guide, you will have all the necessary information to decide which city is best to live in Oman – for you.

This post is long so feel free to jump around.

So what are your options? Oman is divided into 11 governorates.

If You Prefer to Live in Cities…

The Capital: Muscat

Muscat is the capital city and, with its suburbs, is definitely the most populated area of Oman (1.6 million people). Elegant, fairly fast paced, it’s also very cosmopolitan. In fact, amazingly, over 60% of the population in Muscat are expats!

THE PROS:

1. Safe and peaceful. This is one of the few capitals in the world in which you can leave your handbag or phone on your chair in a restaurant or café, go to the bathroom, and still find it untouched when you come back! Actually, in 2023, Muscat was ranked 14^th in the world among the safest cities. You will feel safe walking alone in the middle of the night – although it’s not a city in which people walk around a lot.
2. Beautiful with elegant architecture. It boasts 40 kilometres of stunning and clean beaches along the Gulf of Oman. When I first moved here, I was surprised to discover that even within Muscat itself you can find desert. For example, in the district of Bausher, residents do dune bashing activities regularly. Mountains and sea are all around you. It also has some outstanding architecture such as Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque or the Opera. Recently, Muscat received the title of one of the most beautiful cities on earth.
3. Culturally diverse. This translates into a good variety of restaurants (Persian, Italian, Chinese, Indian…). Larger supermarkets also offer a wide range of international food.
4. Not surprisingly, it offers more jobs and business opportunities than in the rest of the country.
5. A lot of educational options. Muscat has 34 international schools. This makes it an attractive destination if you plan to move there with your family.
6. Healthcare services are not bad. There are both state-run and private hospitals and clinics. Oman is not famous for its top quality medical care but it’s adequate.
7. One of the most beautiful airports in the world. It has won many awards and will make it easy for you to travel to other countries.
8. Muscat caters to other religious traditions. There are 2 temples and churches in the capital.

THE CONS:

1. Very hot and humid in summer. You shouldn’t underestimate this seeing that summer basically lasts 7 months long (from April to November) and temperatures can reach 48-49 degrees.
2. Cost of living. Renting property in Muscat is more expensive than in other areas of Oman. Having said that, it is a lot less expensive than Dubai or Abu Dhabi!
3. Limited nightlife and types of entertainment (compared to other capitals). Muscat is a quiet capital and may not be to your taste if you’re looking for trendy nightclubs.
4. Traffic and driving can be challenging although I should add that roads are top quality. Dual and triple carriage ways are everywhere. Even 4-way highways at times.
5. Limited public transportation. There are buses (which are cheap and offer free wifi!). But you absolutely need a car if you want to get around easily.
6. Internet is expensive. This is not really a first choice for digital nomads to live.

Salalah in Dhofar

Salalah is in the south of Oman. This is a completely different part of Oman, both geographically and culturally. It’s about 2 hours 20 minutes driving distance to the border of Yemen (although since March 2024, you can’t cross the border into Yemen) and is tropical.

THE PROS:

1. Stunningly beautiful. Feel like I’m repeating myself (see comments above about Muscat). But Salalah and its governorate (Dhofar) have some of the most spectacular scenery I have seen in my life! The colours are breath-taking: turquoise blue water, lush green vegetation, camels walking around on gorgeous sandy beaches…
2. In the summer period (known locally as ‘Khareef’), the region becomes green due to the monsoon. What’s more, waterfalls and lakes appear in many places.
3. It’s a medium size city (around 450,000 people) and accommodation is more affordable than in Muscat.
4. A nature lover’s paradise. Desert camping, snorkelling, and scuba diving are all on hand.
5. Local tropical fruit such as fresh bananas and coconut are easily accessible and cheap. Hmmmm! 😊

THE CONS:

1. Very conservative. Of course, this depends on what you’re looking for. If you tend to be traditional and planning to move with your family, you might find this to your liking. Nonetheless, if you’re coming from a Western country, you may need some time to adapt.
2. Tropical weather. Locals will insist that foggy and cloudy weather is magical during Khareef. How many times have Omani friends and colleagues told me that I should visit Salalah during Khareef! Of course, the temperature in Dhofar is much more moderate during June, July and August than in most parts of the country. However, you get a lot of rainfall and high humidity. Also, pre and post-monsoon periods can bring stormy weather which can even lead to flooding.
3. Crowds in summer. Omanis and a lot of people from the Gulf spend the season in Dhofar to get away from the heat in their areas.

Ibri in Ad Dhahirah 

Ibri is situated just outside one of the largest deserts in the world, the Empty Quarter. As a result, it rarely rains there and is famous for its ‘brown colour.’ Traditionally, it was a ‘crossing point’ (actually, this is the meaning of the Arabic word ‘Ibri’) for commercial caravans.

THE PROS:

1. Ibri is quite close to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. If you’re interested in going regularly to the Emirates, this can be an advantage. Also, driving to Muscat will only take you 1.5 hours.
2. Quiet and easy to get around. Very few traffic problems.
3. Cheap prices for basics. For example, you can get clothes in the local Souq (market) at a much cheaper price than in a place such as Muscat.
4. Mountain hiking and history. If you enjoy walking and having outdoor picnics in the mountains or visiting archeological sites, this may be an option for you. Ibri, like many places in Oman, has its own 500-year-old fort and an ancient (abandoned) fortified village called Al Sulaif as well as the site of Bat.

THE CONS:

1. Fewer jobs and business possibilities. Having said that, Ibri and surrounding villages have around 160,000 people living there and is one of the largest towns in Oman.
2. You will be quite far from the sea.

Sohar in Al Batinah North

Sohar (also written ‘Suhar’) is a coastal city in the north of Oman. Sinbad the Sailor is said to come from there! When I visited it, I found it relaxing and quite ‘open’ to foreigners, with a good-size expat community. A family place.

THE PROS:

1. Well situated. It takes about 3 hours driving distance to reach Dubai over the Hatta road. It is 250 kilometres from Muscat.
2. An industrial town with open spaces. With its beaches and parks, it’s ideal for outdoor activities during the winter months. I was struck by its vegetation and farms (goats and palm tree groves even in the centre of town!).
3. Good facilities. Sohar has an airport, a new mall (City Centre Mall) with a large range of shops, movie theatres and hospitals. For shopping, you can also enjoy the Souq (market). As for the fish market, it’s famous for its boat-like architecture.
4. Quality restaurants and cafés. I was particularly impressed with the refined decoration of the new cafés near the Corniche. Staff seemed welcoming and friendly.
5. Family-friendly environment. A peaceful town that offers a choice of international schools.

THE CONS:

1. Lack of public transportation. As mentioned previously, this is a pervasive problem in Omani towns and cities.
2. If you come from a big city, life could seem routine. If you’re looking for a wide range of city activities, Sohar may not be your thing.

Rustaq in Al Batinah South

At one hour drive away from Muscat, Rustaq is a small town that is known for its magnificent fort. When I visited it, it looked quiet and almost rural but it used to be the capital of Oman in the 1600s. When arriving in Rustaq, it will appear as a green oasis with its many date palm groves and numerous falaj, the traditional Omani canals that create an irrigation system.

THE PROS:

1. A sense of community. Rustaq is ‘old school Oman’ with a tight-knit community in which people help each other out. This will no doubt give you a chance to experience Omani hospitality in its traditional sense.
2. The hot baths. The Ain Al Kasfah hot springs are known for being therapeutic.
3. A ‘sleepy’ outdoor environment. The town is scattered with farms which will allow you to have access to all the basic services but also to enjoy a certain rural feel. Rustaq is also famous for its beautiful wadis (Wadi Bani Awf, Wadi Bani Ghaffir, and Wadi Al Sahtan).

THE CONS:

1. If you’re a single person, you may feel isolated at first. But people there are friendly and, if you are interested in seeing Omani culture from the inside, this may give you the experiences you are looking for.
2. A limited expat community. Foreign people do live in Rustaq but the number is fairly small in comparison with some other places in Oman.

Nizwa in Dakhliyah

Nizwa is definitely a traditional town situated on the ‘inside’ of Oman. In recent years, it has seen some cafés and hotels emerge that truly show off Omani heritage. It is the home of one of the most beautiful forts in the country and has a famous animal market. It’s dotted with shops selling gold and silver and has the reputation of having some of the richest families in the country!

THE PROS:

1. A quiet place ideal for a slow paced life. This is a town in which you can find a simple and healthy lifestyle. You will also have access to a beautiful library.
2. The low cost of living. Renting an apartment is very reasonable in Nizwa and will allow you to save money. You will also find a good selection of restaurants offering cheap and tasty meals. The prices for food in the supermarkets are also relatively low (unless you want to buy imported food such as breakfast cereals).
3. Its proximity to the mountains. Nizwa is about 2 hours away from the spectacular Jabal Akhdar region. You need a 4×4 car to get there but this is a great place if you enjoy camping, hiking or climbing.
4. A delightful old Souq. Situated in the old part of town, it will give you access to authentic products that are local.

THE CONS:

1. The weather. Nizwa is one of the hottest towns in Oman. It is also very dry making it feel like an oven in summer.
2. Conservative working culture. Although it offers modern amenities, it still has a very conservative feel to it which translates into strict expectations for dress code at work and in town. Once again, some may not mind this aspect while others may find it challenging.

If you prefer a Smaller Place…

Sur in Ash Sharqiyah South

Sur, with its 70,000 inhabitants,  is a little coastal town which has an exquisite bay. It used to be an important trading port and has been associated with building wooden boats (also called Dhow) for centuries.

THE PROS:

1. Affordable. You can rent a 3-bedroom apartment for 150 Omari Rials (about 390 dollars) per month. The price of food is also very reasonable. This also makes it a great option for saving money.
2. Well located. As well as offering some fabulous beaches, Sur is 20 minutes away from the desert. This means you can easily go camping or glamping during the winter months. It’s also half an hour away from a turtle sanctuary (Ras al Jinz).
3. Small with all the necessary modern conveniences. You’ll have access to hospitals, shops and a cinema, and families can sign up their kids to an international school (although there’s only one to choose from).

THE CONS:

1. Maybe too quiet for some. You might find it lonely if you are single – especially if you’re a woman. Unless you are very ‘outdoorsy’ and independent.
2. If you like big cities, this is definitely not the place for you! Muscat is about 4 hours drive away.

Masirah island

You may never have heard of Masirah island but it’s the largest Omani island. It is about 95 kilometres long. I have never been but one of my colleagues, Nasser Al Manthari (the person who took the photograph above!), lived there for many years. So I asked him about the pros and cons of living there.

THE PROS:

1. Extremely relaxing and calm. The island only has 12,000 inhabitants but this doesn’t mean that people feel lonely. On the contrary, people know each other and help each other. My colleague put forward that local people (Masirans?) are very warm hearted. The way of life is quiet and slow-paced.
2. Kiteboarding. As well as offering an ideal place for fishing, Masirah is windy and this makes it a ‘kiteboarding paradise.’
3. The first healthy island in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The island received this Certification from the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2023. This is connected with prioritising quality of life and well being for the residents of the island.

THE CONS:

1. Basic facilities. The island has a hospital, schools, and shops but if you are looking for a wide range of products, you will need to buy these off the island.
2. Quite isolated. Although there are regular ferries, they have been known to not work for several days.

This post was about giving you the pros and cons of living in different cities, towns and villages in Oman. You can now decide which place would be best for YOU.

Feel free to post any questions you have in the comments box.