Have you relocated to lebanon recently ?

NewBie

I know some people on the forum have moved from different countries back to Lebanon. I just read _joe_'s comment in a different thread and I have a few questions for him and others.

I've been living in Canada since I was 8 years old, and have been working as a .net developer for quite a long time. I've finally made the decision to relocate to Lebanon in the next couple of months and give the tax man the finger.

What were some of your experiences when you moved back ? I feel like I'm going to Afghanistan but I know I will be able to save some money and have a better social life.

what were some of your experiences, shocks etc....

practo

I have not, but I would be very interested in reading about other people's experiences.

Xsever

Same here since I am planning on moving back too !

Kassem

NewBie wroteI will be able to save some money

In Lebanon? Yeah right :)

pikatore

Lebanon isn't as cheap as you think, unless you plan on living off sajj for the rest of your life.

And the internet situation here is DISGUSTING.

Kassem

There is a reason why apartments are too damn expensive in Lebanon. And that is simply because at least 85% of apartments being sold are bought by born-rich residents AND Lebanese living outside Lebanon. Why? Because you simply cannot save up money off your 1000$-1500$ paycheck which most likely will be gone by the 10th of each month.

Of course there are exceptions, and some residents are working hard enough to make good money. But what I've mentioned above is the case of most Lebanese residents. So it's your decision now, just thought I'd give you a picture of how things are over here.

If you ask for my advice, I'd say: Leave Canada and go to some other country which isn't as bad as Canada.

Xsever

Kassem wroteBecause you simply cannot save up money off your 1000$-1500$ paycheck

FOR A START, that is not too bad depending on what your filed, how much effort you put into it, and how much experience you have.

Getting a degree just like that with no experience or effort is not going to make you relatively more money no matter where you go in this world. ( The majority can get a degree, but there are only few that will be special and hence deserve more than average )

practo

Kassem wroteIf you ask for my advice, I'd say: Leave Canada and go to some other country which isn't as bad as Canada.

Have you lived anywhere other than Lebanon for an extended amount of time? I'd be surprised if you have.

One thing that I feel that people miss however, is that Lebanon is probably going to be just as tough as Canada or the US are right now.

Imagine having to drive in the killer traffic every day, incredibly slow internet, crazy drivers and no safety nets. Again, my experience is limited and maybe most of these have been resolved in the last few years but if the only thing you are basing your decision to go back to Lebanon to is a vacation, then you will probably be disappointed.

On the other hand though, I hate when people who live in Lebanon demonize the country without ever immigrating and living anywhere else. It's not as easy and rosy as people think.

Kassem

Imagine having to drive in the killer traffic every day,

True that, I'm starting to hate driving because of the traffic.

incredibly slow internet,

Let's not go there... just read most of the threads on the forum :)

crazy drivers and no safety nets

3 days ago, my mom's purse was stolen from her while she was in a car with my cousin. Two guys were on a motorcycle, snashed the purse out of her hands and flew away in the never-ending traffic. The purse contained her ID, her cell phone, some money AND 4 checks that are worth around 20,000$. So yeah, you can NEVER feel safe in this country.

I won't get into other stuff like the terrible electricity problem, no real social programs, no investments, 50+ billion USD national debt, sectarianism, unbelievable political situation... etc etc etc.

So yeah, when I say Lebanon is bad, I have good reasons to say so.

Xsever

People get robbed everyday in Detroit and there are areas where cops (Police) cannot enter. The same applies for Montreal. Please stop thinking the west is PERFECT and bad things only happen in Lebanon.

People here are too blind to see and realize what is going on here and that is thanks to the media that successfully keeps pointing out people's differences and not similarities !

Morale of the story: Bad things happen everywhere.

Kassem

Xsever wrotePeople get robbed everyday in Detroit and there are areas where cops (Police) cannot enter. The same applies for Montreal. Please stop thinking the west is PERFECT and bad things only happen in Lebanon.

People here are too blind to see and realize what is going on here and that is thanks to the media that successfully keeps pointing out people's differences and not similarities !

Morale of the story: Bad things happen everywhere.

I know that Lebanon is much safer than a lot of wester cities and especially Detroit. I just mentioned what happened to my mum to give you a clear example of what's going on. The same thing happened to my aunt, my friend a alot of other people. Why does that happen a lot in Lebanon? Well, that's because the government is intentionally making poor stay poor and the rich people get richer. Those cows in the government know nothing about running an economy.

But tell me, where in the world the power goes out? Where do people feel that others from a different religion are their enemies or something? Why isn't there any social security in Lebanon?

Moral of the story: Bad things happen everywhere, but the worst happens in Lebanon.

Xsever

You are correct about the bad things you mentioned about Lebanon. They really ruin its picture. However, crime rate for example is down this year compared to last year.

I am also with increasing salaries proportionally and applying tax relatively so that normal people could still sustain a decent life.

rolf

Xsever wroteYou are correct about the bad things you mentioned about Lebanon. They really ruin its picture. However, crime rate for example is down this year compared to last year.

Where do you get your numbers?

Joe

Hey I live in France, it's been almost three years now.

We've got here everything you could wish for in Lebanon. High employement, high salaries. Sure prices are high and taxes too, but everything is paid for me. Public schools, public health care, retirement system, ... and I am not even French! Internet is available at high-speed and no quota whatsoever. And everything happens here, and fast. Street View, Google Phone, iPhones, ... new high-tech stuff happen here a long time before they show up in Lebanon.

But do you think I am happy? I have never felt as lonely in my life! People in the street are afraid all the time, they won't talk to you no matter what. It takes enormous amounts of efforts to get people to like you and let you in their inner circles. I have never met one of my "friends" parents or family. Our relationships are limited to going out in bars. I lived in the same appartment for almost two years, none of my neighbors know me. I always get the feeling that if anything were to happen to me, I would get premium medical treatment, but would have no one beside me at the hospital.

Lebanon has many flaws. It is far from perfect. But it is my country. When I am there, I feel that I belong. I cannot go out without people knowing me. If I have a problem, I have 1000 friends to help me. If I have a joy, I have 1000 friends to share it with. And no matter what, I know for sure that I will never ever end up alone if I am there.

Oh and I love the food. ;)

practo

rahmu wroteHey I live in France, it's been almost three years now.

We've got here everything you could wish for in Lebanon. High employement, high salaries. Sure prices are high and taxes too, but everything is paid for me. Public schools, public health care, retirement system, ... and I am not even French! Internet is available at high-speed and no quota whatsoever. And everything happens here, and fast. Street View, Google Phone, iPhones, ... new high-tech stuff happen here a long time before they show up in Lebanon.

But do you think I am happy? I have never felt as lonely in my life! People in the street are afraid all the time, they won't talk to you no matter what. It takes enormous amounts of efforts to get people to like you and let you in their inner circles. I have never met one of my "friends" parents or family. Our relationships are limited to going out in bars. I lived in the same appartment for almost two years, none of my neighbors know me. I always get the feeling that if anything were to happen to me, I would get premium medical treatment, but would have no one beside me at the hospital.

Lebanon has many flaws. It is far from perfect. But it is my country. When I am there, I feel that I belong. I cannot go out without people knowing me. If I have a problem, I have 1000 friends to help me. If I have a joy, I have 1000 friends to share it with. And no matter what, I know for sure that I will never ever end up alone if I am there.

Oh and I love the food. ;)

great post!

Xsever

rolf wroteWhere do you get your numbers?

Many newspapers and websites were reporting that from the ISF last week or so.

Xsever

rahmu wroteBut it is my country. When I am there, I feel that I belong. I cannot go out without people knowing me. If I have a problem, I have 1000 friends to help me. If I have a joy, I have 1000 friends to share it with. And no matter what, I know for sure that I will never ever end up alone if I am there.

To me, that is enough to disregard the materialistic side of this world. What is life if you have all the "products" you need, but lack the things you mentioned above.

Flakk

rahmu wroteOh and I love the food. ;)

+1 !
The only reason i still like Lebanon.