I'm a writer looking a base in Morocco for maybe a month or two in early 2006. Totally lost and need advice! Do people know if there is much of a scene in flat-sharing among expats, and whether or not it would be feasible to rent a room short-term? How safe would it be for a single woman in her twenties? Any idea on approximate prices for weekly rental? Just starting to look into this and any advice greatly appreciated!  

mermaid,

Welcome to Expat Focus!

I recommend you drop Topaz/Morocco a private message (that's her username, including the forward slash). She's pretty busy at the moment moving house, and is only online about once a week, but she is tremendously knowledgeable about Morocco. If you don't hear anything back from her after a few weeks let me know and I'll mail her directly.

Kind regards,

Jamie
_________________
Expat Focus
Web: www.expatfocus.com
Blog: www.expatfocus.com/blog
Twitter: twitter.com/ExpatFocus
Facebook: www.facebook.com/expatfocus 

Hello Mermaid,

I have been in Agadir, Morocco for a few months and I'm still looking for signs of an expat community. Seems like most expats are based in Casa or Marrakech.

Rent for furnished appartments is expensive, but outside of the summer you might be able to find great deals. Unfortunately, there is very little available online and whatever you find online will most likely be very expensive. My advice is to find a Residence (Hotel with kitchenette) and then look for a flat. Ideally, if you can find a local to help you, you will find better deals.

Let me know where you hope to stay and I'll see if I can't find a local guide for you.

As for it being safe, no problem. Tourists are royalty here, so you will be safe especially if you stay in tourist areas.

Good luck,
pat  

Hi Pat,

A warm welcome to Expat Focus and our forums!

Thanks for offering that info, very useful. It sounds as though you are enjoying your time in Morocco, perhaps you'd be kind enough to help out if we get more queries about living there from other members? That would be great

Stay in touch and kind regards,

Jo
_________________
Jo James
Expat Focus
Web: www.expatfocus.com
Blog: www.expatfocus.com/blog 

Dear Mermaid,

There is no problem in Morocco with being a single girl in your 20's. It is SO much better for single women here than in Egypt, for example. Some men will hassle a young, attractive girl when you walk by cafeés alone, for example.

I would say don't go walking alone more than one hour after dark ANYWHERE in Morocco, and be careful about going out on SUNDAY afternoon alone between 1-3:30 PM (yes, in the early afternoon), because no one is out on the street at that time.

My last piece of advice is when meeting men, be cautious about accepting a proposal for coffee from a man in the street, as if you meet him that way, and accept, he won't respect you. Try to meet men through work, or being introduced by a third person, and the men will treat you more respectfully.

In Marrakesh, there is a reasonably-sized ex-pat community.

Mary in Marrakesh  

Lots of expats in Rabat.  

Dear mermaid,

I live now in agadir for about one year. I found after a few months a nice 3 bedroom house in a residential aera near the hotel complex for a reasonable price (5000dhr = 450 euro). The best way is to live ina residential complex and search here after the high season. No problem for young women here alone but be carefull when the sun is going done.

Kind regards

chrisoliv