Marrakech is one of those exotic destinations that seems as if it belongs to another world. It has its own beautiful culture and way of life that, when you go here, you can't help but be enamored by it all. Now, imagine if you live here? Can you see yourself indulging in all the Middle Eastern fantasy that this city is known for? However impossible it may seem, it is, in fact, still possible. Though it will be difficult, you can start a new life here. To help you out, let this guide show you the ropes!
Overview
With a current population of 1,017,000 residents, Marrakech is one of the most populous cities in all of Morocco. Hence, it's also one of the few major cities in the country. As for the weather, since the country is located in northern Africa and is near the Mediterranean, it enjoys a hot climate all year round. The hottest month here is July, with an average temperature of 29.2 °C (85 °F), while the coldest month is January, with an average temperature of 12.5 °C (55 °F). When it comes to language, though Arabic remains the dominant dialect, French is also commonly spoken here. You'll need to
learn the languages yourself while you're here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around
Although Marrakech is regarded as a major city, it's extremely different from all the others around the world. And you'll instantly realize this when you try to go on
public transport here. Unlike in other prominent metropolises, public transport in Marrakech leaves a lot to be desired. There are no efficient systems like a subway or trams, just the standard taxis and buses. And there's nothing wrong with the latter, especially since you can always rely on a
transportation app. But there's also no denying that a city this populous would benefit from establishing more options for a commute.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live
There's also the question of where in Marrakech you'll settle down. As beautiful as the city is as a whole,
the many neighborhoods here differ from each other in a lot of ways. Unfortunately, this also means that not all districts are suitable for residency (at least, not for foreign expats). There are also those that you'll only appreciate if you adhere to a certain lifestyle. For instance, if you're more into the urban lifestyle, choose Medina, the Sidi Ghanem Industrial Quarter, or even Kennaria as your new hometown. But if you prefer to live in luxury, settling down in Hivernage would be the more fitting choice.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Real Estate
Another thing to remember when choosing which Marrakech neighborhood you want to live in is to consider your expenses. Fortunately, when it comes to the country's own currency, the Moroccan dirham, the
living costs in Marrakech aren't all that high. For example, in terms of real estate, it's possible to
rent a luxury home in the city for only MAD 1,000.00 a month. The common rental fees here range from a minimum of MAD 1,000.00 to MAD 9,000.00 a month. So as long as you get a good-paying job here, you're all set! There's little for you to worry about!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment
As already mentioned, you'll need a stable job in order to live a standard comfortable life in Marrakech. However, with the state of
Morocco's job market right now, that's easier said than done. For now, the country's unemployment rate is 12.8%, one of the highest in the world as of late. It also doesn't help that the country's biggest sectors—IT, telecommunications, and computer science—strictly require certain educational degrees and certifications. With that said, however, all is not lost! It may be hard to
find a job in Morocco in general, but here in a bustling cosmopolitan city like Marrakech, it’s certainly not impossible!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education
Now, what about your kids' education? If you moved here with your entire family, one of your biggest worries will probably be about your children's schooling, right? Of course, every parent worries about that, especially when you just relocated to a new city or even a new country. But with that said, Marrakech offers
a handful of notable international schools that can easily accept your kids. From
The British Academy School Marrakech to
Lycée Victor Hugo de Marrakech, these institutions don't just welcome foreign students! They also provide high-quality education that will help them reach their full potential.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare
Another worry you'll have will be about healthcare, right? When you move to Marrakech, can you ensure that you (and your family) will be well taken care of here? Well, here in Morocco, it's up to you. Unlike in many other countries, the
Moroccan healthcare system isn’t universal. So it's up to you to get your own coverage in order to gain access to
the city's finest hospitals, all sorts of healthcare benefits, and subsidized rates for your medical costs. For now, your best bet is to get a private health plan, preferably from international providers like
Allianz Care.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety
What about safety? Is Marrakech a safe city? The truth of the matter is its right smack in the middle. Marrakech isn't an overall safe city but it's also not a dangerous dystopia that many other Middle Eastern and African cities have become. Just take a look at
Marrakech's crime rates. For now, the general crime rate is 43.47%, considered moderate on the scale. The rate of increasing crimes here is 49.83%, also considered only moderately high. As for the safety rate, Marrakech is 67.03% safe during the day and 44.36% at night. These should tell you just how safe this Moroccan city really is.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Taxes
Moving to Marrakech also means you'll be a taxpayer in Morocco from now on. So before you settle down here, make sure you at least know the basics of
Morocco's tax system. Firstly, as with any other country, your income tax rate here depends on how much you earn in a year. For instance, if you earn around MAD 30,001.00 to MAD 50,000.00 per year, your tax rate will be 10% of your gross annual income. Other types of taxes you may possibly face here include capital gains tax and corporate tax. The rates there, too, will also depend on how much you earn per year.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips
Finally, some last-minute relocation tips. One of the first things you ought to do here in Morocco is to
open a local bank account. Whether you choose a local institution or an international bank, as long as you have your own account here, you can ensure that all your money and finances will be fine. Furthermore, you'll benefit a lot from joining a
local mobile network too. This will help you stay connected and in contact with your acquaintances from work, your friends in the city, and your family back home!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Wouldn't it be a dream if you moved to Marrakech? Can you already imagine your new life here? Well, if things go wrong, it will sooner turn out to be a complete nightmare! But don't worry! If you let this relocation guide help you, things won't end up that way!
