Are you thinking about moving to Morocco for work? If so, then you need to learn what expat life in Morocco looks like.
Working in Morocco has many advantages and disadvantages. Expatriates willing to relocate to Morocco for a job will benefit from learning about both aspects of their decision. This is what this post offers.
To start with, if you're an expat, you should be aware that visiting Morocco and living in Morocco are two different things. While short vacation visits can be very enjoyable, living in this country for a considerable amount of time might pose many challenges. Let me tell you about those.
The Cons of Expats Life in Morocco
Living in Morocco as an expat has its disadvantages, of course. Just to give you a heads-up: salaries are low compared to Western countries, and the health and education systems aren’t very good. Families may have a hard time finding good schools and healthcare, especially in rural areas where there's also not much to do. Public transportation and utilities can be unreliable too. Let's talk about those cons in detail.
Low Salaries
Salaries in Morocco are generally low. If you work for a foreign company in Morocco, you might get a better salary, but it still won't match what you would earn for the same job in Western countries. Morocco has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world, around $3,500 a year. This means that people in Morocco, on average, earn a lot less than people in many other countries. Even though the cost of living in Morocco is lower, the limited income affects how much people can afford and their overall quality of life.
Expats moving to Morocco on company expense accounts generally have a better experience. If your company pays you at Western rates, you can live comfortably in Morocco. These jobs are often in sectors like mining, telecommunications, and politics. However, if you're relocating to Morocco for a local job, be prepared for a lower salary compared to Western standards.
Most often, mining jobs will require expats to live in small cities or villages in rural areas. Those locations are very affordable, even with a Moroccan salary.
But to live comfortably in a major city in Morocco as a single expat, budget around $1,800 USD per month. Rent typically costs $300 to $600 USD, utilities $50 to $100 USD, food $200 to $300 USD, and transportation $50 to $100 USD. Entertainment and other expenses add up to $100 to $200 USD. With a $1,800 budget, you should have $500 to $1,100 remaining after covering all expenses.
See The Math
Rent: $300 to $600Utilities: $50 to $100
Food: $200 to $300
Transportation: $50 to $100
Entertainment and other expenses: $100 to $200
Minimum Total Expense:
Rent ($300) + Utilities ($50) + Food ($200) + Transportation ($50) + Entertainment ($100) = $700
Maximum Total Expense:
Rent ($600) + Utilities ($100) + Food ($300) + Transportation ($100) + Entertainment ($200) = $1,300
So with a $1,800 budget:
Remaining Amount (Minimum Expense): $1,800 - $700 = $1,100
Remaining Amount (Maximum Expense): $1,800 - $1,300 = $500
Low Quality Services
Unfortunately, Morocco's health and education systems are underdeveloped. Living in Morocco with a family can be challenging, particularly if you cannot afford private institutions. Expatriates with children may find it difficult to locate good schools, especially in smaller cities. Additionally, expatriates with chronic medical conditions might face difficulties accessing quality healthcare.
In small cities and rural areas, entertainment options are almost nonexistent. Life in these locations is slow and can be boring, especially for children. However, in major cities, there are many activities and places to visit with family. If your job is in a small or rural town, you may want to consider your children's mental well-being. Entertainment is important, and a lack of it can affect their health.
One significant disadvantage of working in Morocco is the inadequate infrastructure for families. Public transportation can be unreliable, and road conditions vary greatly, especially outside major cities. Internet connectivity and other utilities may also be inconsistent, making it difficult to maintain a stable home environment.
Living in Morocco as an expatriate isn't all bad. There are some great advantages of such decision. Let's talk about few of them.
The Pros of Expats Life in Morocco
Living in Morocco as an expat has great benefits. You can enjoy beautiful places without the tourist crowds and relax in calm cities like Essaouira. The rich culture means you can try delicious Moroccan food, join local festivals, and even take cooking classes. Moroccans are friendly and welcoming, so making friends and learning about local traditions is easy. You’ll also find expat communities in major cities, which can help with homesickness. Let's learn more in details.
Less Crowded Morocco
Living in Morocco as an expatriate offers you the opportunity to explore the country in a less crowded environment. Morocco is undeniably beautiful, attracting millions of tourists every year, especially during the summer. By working and living in Morocco, you can travel around and discover interesting locations on your days off without the hassle that comes with the busy tourist season.
Living in a beautiful tourist city is even better. Living in a city like Essaouira offers the chance to enjoy a calm, relaxing environment all year round. Expatriates love Essaouira because it's an excellent place to unwind from work stress. Other cities, like Tangier and nearby towns, are also desirable places to work.
Being an expatriate in Morocco allows you to immerse yourself in the country's rich culture and traditions. You can enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine, participate in local festivals, and learn the language, enhancing your overall experience. We recommend taking cooking classes if you have the time. Being able to cook delicious Moroccan dishes will impress your friends back home.
Friendly people
Moroccans are very friendly and hospitable. As an expatriate working and living in Morocco, you'll definitely meet interesting people. Making friends with the locals is easy since they're welcoming. There is a lot to learn from them, and they're always willing to help you discover more about their culture.
Each region in Morocco has its own customs and traditions, so there will always be something new to learn and experience. Living in a diverse city will allow you to meet people from all over Morocco, leading to many invitations to visit their cities and hometowns. Take a few days to explore new locations and traditions.
Morocco has a decent network of expatriates, especially in major cities like Marrakesh, Rabat, and Casablanca. You'll be able to connect and meet with many other expats from your homeland and other nationalities. We recommend using Facebook groups to discover events organized by these communities and meet with them in real life. This is a great way to ease homesickness if you're struggling with it.
New Skills
Expats in Morocco have the chance to learn new skills. As long as you have the time, you can learn new skills from the locals. We recommended cooking classes earlier, but that's not all. Depending on where you live or visit, there are some interesting skills to choose from and learn. For example, leather crafting in Marrakesh or Fez, surfing in Taghazout, and pottery and ceramic arts in Safi.
Surfing would be great. Head to Taghazout in your free days and hire a private instructor to help you learn this refreshing sport. Nothing is better than riding waves on the stunning beaches of Taghazout and nearby towns, especially in hot weather. Even if surfing doesn't interest you, these locations in the mid-region of Morocco are worth exploring for their beautiful nature.
Another valuable skill for expats to learn in Morocco is language proficiency, particularly in Arabic or French. Learning the local language can greatly enhance your experience and help you connect with the community. Many cities offer language classes tailored for expats, making it easier to navigate daily life, understand cultural nuances, and build meaningful relationships with locals.
Here you go! Those are just some few of the pros and cons f expats life in Morocco. moving to Morocco for work has its ups and downs indeed. You might deal with lower salaries and challenges with healthcare and education, but you’ll also experience the beauty and rich culture of Morocco.
To make the most of your time as an expat, explore less crowded areas, enjoy local food and festivals, and connect with other expats through social media and community events. Learn new skills like surfing or cooking Moroccan dishes, and consider taking language classes to better fit into life in Morocco. And remember! it's always ok to ask for help and guidance from he locals.
We wish you a happy expat life in Morocco. Please let us know if you have any questions in the comments section below. We'll be thrilled to offer answers.
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