Living Cost & Safety In Sudan

Cost of living in Khartoum, considered one of the cheapest cities in the world beside it is one of the most cities in the world in terms of safety and crime rate.

Below are some sites that show you the level of cost of living in Khartoum also find a version the British Council in April 2011 for teachers whom are intend to come to teach in Khartoum.

 * SDG to USD

* Expat Blog - Cost of Living In Sudan - Khartoum

* Cost of living in Khartoum - Prices in Khartoum

* Khartoum is 37% cheaper than Singapore : Compare Cost Living

* Moving to Khartoum

* Khartoum Forum: Cost of Living in Khartoum

Information Issued by The British Council Khartoum in April 2011 for the teachers whom are  intend to come to teach in Khartoum.

Country overview

Sudan is Africa’s biggest country covering around 2.5m km2. Population is 39m with around 5m in Greater Khartoum. Oil is contributing to high rates of economic growth, with around 500,000 barrels pumped per day. Economic growth over the last 5 years averaged around 6.5% with per capita GNP currently at around $1450. The government is pursuing a policy of investing in infrastructure with a view to increasing especially agricultural potential. In 2009 lower oil prices, the global recession, continued US sanctions and the indictment of President Omer Beshir by the International Criminal Court are likely to dampen economic growth to around 4.5%.
Sudan has had little peace since independence from the Anglo-Egyptian condominium in 1956. The latest Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 brought a fragile peace and power sharing between the north’s ruling National Congress Party and south’s Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and set out a roadmap for decentralisation leading to possible independence for Southern Sudan following a referendum on the issue in 2011.
A peace agreement with the eastern tribes holds and the adverse security situation in Darfur seems to be abating although with no peace agreement in sight and with appalling conditions experienced by those displaced.
Despite the politics and the poor international media image, Sudan is one of the most friendly countries to work in in the world. Strangers become friends very quickly, hospitality invariably offered with no strings attached, simply out of generosity’s sake.
Over the next few years significant history will be in the making for Sudan as a nation, an exciting time to be here.
 

City overview

Although there are parts of Sudan which are still insecure Khartoum is one of the safest cities in the world, with very low crime rates and where personal safety levels are generally very high. Women can generally walk at night without being harassed, a key litmus test in any city.
Khartoum is actually 3 cities (Khartoum, between the Blue and the White Niles; Omdurman on the West bank of the White Nile; and Bahri, north of the Blue Nile). A romantic setting and the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, the 3 cities each have their own character. The city has become much more cosmopolitan over the past few years with a young and more internationally minded middle class emerging which is keen to participate in international youth culture through technology and/or travel. People are overwhelmingly welcoming with a culture of hospitality rooted in their religious beliefs.
With an overwhelming desire to learn or practise English, many Sudanese are particularly friendly towards expatriates and are keen to show that the real Sudan is not what the media make of it. There are a few western style café and lots of takeaway joints and a growing number of restaurants in the affluent parts of the city. You also realise that there is much, much more to this culture, a melting pot between Arabia and Africa.

Climate

The climate in northern Sudan is very hot and during the summer (April-November) reaching over 40 C and occasionally over 50 C at midday. Rain falls about four or five times a year, usually during the summer and floods have been known in Khartoum in August. Except for the period May-September (when the humidity increases) the air is very dry. Khartoum is always dusty and there are occasionally dust storms (Haboobs), which at their worst are like a thick brown fog. The dust can make wearing contact lenses difficult (although many people do wear them all the time). The winter months are very pleasant and make it a good time to explore this vast and fascinating country.
In the south the wet season (roughly from May to November) is a major determinant of activity: the lack of infrastructure makes it exceptionally difficult to move around in the south during this time. The temperatures are generally not as high as in the north but in most parts of the south humidity is much higher, making the atmosphere equally uncomfortable.

General living costs & conditions

Khartoum is quite an expensive place to live with food prices (depending on how local you want to be) being a bit higher than in the UK. Prices of fresh food however are seasonal. Fuel is cheaper than bottled water at about 25p per litre so running a car is generally quite cheap. Restaurants are generally a little cheaper than in the UK, public transport much cheaper.
Sudan is a cash economy and credit and debit cards cannot be used due to the economic sanctions placed on Sudan by the US.
What Sudan lacks in infrastructure is generally made up for by the friendliness of the Sudanese people.

Transport:

A permit may be required to travel outside Khartoum although this is not generally required for most parts of Northern Sudan.Aadvises British nationals not to go there on private, unaccompanied travel. The Darfur and Kassala regions should not currently be visited, again on FCO advice, unless this is undertaken in consultation with us. Notwithstanding these challenges Sudan is a vast, varied and fascinating country and it would take years to explore even the part currently open for safe travel.
In descending order of price, travel within Khartoum is either by unmetered and highly negotiable yellow taxi, by Amjad (small minibuses), and by Bajaj three wheeler rickshaws which run on fixed routes outside the central business district where they are not allowed. There are also buses, but they are extremely crowded and uncomfortable. Public transport is difficult to find after 10 p.m. and difficult to find at any time on Fridays, although taxis can usually been found outside the hotels such as the Grand Holiday Villa, the Rotana and the Acropole.
You may wish to drive a car or motorcycle; the traffic is generally quite slow but a bit unpredictable. The donkeys are probably the best drivers.

Communications:

By African standards generally both the fixed line (Khartoum) and mobile networks are very good with reasonably fast internet connections available.
Wireless internet is available in many of the larger hotels (sometimes for a small charge). In Juba the speeds still tend to be quite slow and you may not be able to rely on internet access all the time. It is also possible to purchase a Sudatel (or other service provider) wireless internet connection and pay for one week, one month or more wireless internet connection. Wireless internet is now possible from many towns and cities in Sudan and the situation is continually improving.
Internet communications such as Skype are possible in Sudan and have not been blocked by the US government sanctions.
Mail between Khartoum and the UK can take anything between 5 days and a month, with 7 - 10 days about average. If people at home are expecting letters it may be as well to warn them in advance of the unreliability of the post. DHL deliveries between the UK and Sudan can be as quick as 2 days.

General Health, Medical & Dental Care

Healthcare in Khartoum is generally no more than adequate with more serious emergencies and virtually any surgery needing evacuation. Outside Khartoum healthcare is seriously lacking. Applicants with significant medical conditions should check with British Council Sudan as to whether their condition makes employment in Sudan feasible.