Morocco: Living

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates: Approximately 50,000 foreigners, including 28,000 French.
They are particularly concentrated in Casablanca and Rabat, as well as in old districts of historical cities, Marrakech in particular, and on the coasts. One finds an important community of pensioners.
Blogs For Expats: Allo Expat
Expat Focus
For Further Information: Internations
Immigration Authority: Department of Foreigners of the Commission of the Province
Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals: Bailly moving
Menna

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living: Rabat is the 168th most expensive city in the world according to the Mercer Index 2016.
Quality of Life: Mercer's 2017 Quality of Living Survey ranks Rabat 117th out of 231.
Sanitary Conditions: In the big cities, health infrastructures are acceptable, but automobile pollution is significant. Moreover, Morocco suffers from a serious problem of water supply (water unfit for consumption) and drainage.
For Further Information: Quality of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer
Cost of Living Worldwide City Rankings –Survey - Mercer

Renting an Apartment

Description of apartments: Apartments are mostly spacious and modern.
Advertisements generally indicate the area, living room and the number of rooms and whether the kitchen is furnished or not.
Normal Lease Term: Term of the lease is 3 years minimum for a vacant apartment.
No rules for a furnished apartment.
Rental Costs: All depends on the type of location.
Price is sometimes negotiable.
Agencies or Private Rentals: Agencies often offer service of western standards and provide you some security, individuals generally resorting to illegal means.
Rental Agency Websites: Mubawab
Private Rentals Announcements Online: Mubawab
Atlas Immobilier
Morocco Advertisements (in French)
Advertising in Morocco
Intilaka
Other Possibilities For Accommodation: One can stay with a family, but in touristic spots, prudence must prevail.
For Further Information: Mubawab

School System

School Level: The system is derived from the French system. Primary education (from 6 to 10 years) in Arabic is supplemented by a secondary education in the school (10-14 years) and secondary school (15-18 years) leading to the A levels. Then one can enter the university where French is dominating in majority of the matters. ;
Strong disparities are observed between the teaching level in the cities and in the countryside.
International Schools: An important network of French schools (called "Missions") from the kindergarten to the final year. Spanish schools have developed. Finally, 2 American schools (Casablanca and Rabat) offer many departments.
For Further Information: Department of Education
Scholaro
American Schools, on the CAS site

Health System

Quality of Healthcare: Hospitals in big cities are decent, though certain specialties are not always available.
On the other hand, in the rural areas, the quality and quantity of health infrastructures are problematical.
International Hospitals: There are relatively few international hospitals.
Nevertheless, one can go to the Cheikh Zaid International Hospital in Rabat and the Ifrane International Hospital.
Health Insurance: Morocco has just set up a system of obligatory health insurance (AMO) for the salaried employees, government officials, students and pensioners, as well as a cover for those who need it most - the medical assistance plan (RAMED).
Accessibility of the Health Insurance Network to Foreigners: The salaried employees can affiliate to the Moroccan social security system.
Health System Insurance Body: Health Insurance National Agency (ANAM)
Health Ministry: Health Ministry

Tourism and Culture

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical: There are many sites in Morocco that are UNESCO Heritage listed.
The archaeological site of Volubilis was once an ancient Roman town. Its closest city is Meknes, near Fez and Rabat.
Chefchaouen is the well-known city of blue-washed homes: it is also a major place to buy local handicrafts, such as wool garments and woven blankets.
Aït Benhaddou is an ancient fortified city of Ouarzazate along the historic caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara desert.
Cultural: Jemma El-Fnaa in Marrakech is a giant square where you can find musicians, artists and dancers all in one place.
In Fez, the Medina is a UNESCO Heritage Site where you can find a maze of souks with stalls that have been owned by families for generations.
One can appreciate the time-honoured works of tanner artisans in Tétouan. In a more modern range, there are the Arab-Andalusian and Berber musical concerts, the Villa of Arts in Casablanca and the Majorelle Villa at Marrakech.
Nature: There are an impressive variety of countrysides in Morocco, including the forests of the Rif, plains lined with orchards, the Middle-Atlas, mountain tops of the High-Atlas, as well as rock and sand deserts to the South.
Religious: Morocco has many spiritual sites to visit. While mainly an Islamic country, it is tolerant of all religions.
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is one of the biggest in the world and is famous for its Moroccan architecture.
Thermal: As of now there are only 2 important sites, Moulay Yaacoub and Sidi Harazem near Fès, but the sector is being fully developed.
Beach: Visitors to Morocco are spoilt for choice, as they can choose between both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline. Along the Atlantic coastline popular seaside towns include Taghazout and Mazagan, which are popular with surfers. Also, Agadir beach is world-renowned for its sandy coastline, which is kilometers long.
Mediterranean beaches, such as Tétouan and Al Hoceima, are particularly popular.
Winter Sports: Alpine skiing and ski-tourism are practiced during winter in the High-Atlas mountains, mainly in the Oukaïmeden and Toubkal mountains, which are close to Marrakech.
Outdoor Activities: There is a wide variety of sports available depending on the area visited. There is mountain sports (trekking, ski, rafting), sea sports (sailing, jet-ski, water-skiing), golf and parachuting, etc.
Shopping: Morocco is well-known for its markets. The souks of big cities offer plenty of shopping opportunities. Visitors should also be on the look-out for items from the Moroccan craft industry, isuch carpets, leather-made goods, and pottery, as well as argan, which oil is a product that originates from Morocco and is highly sought-after for its numerous virtues.

Top Highlights in the Main Cities
The necropolis of Chellah (Rabat)
The Hassan tower (Rabat)
The walls of Rabat
The medina of Rabat
The kasbah of Oudaia (Rabat)
The mausoleum of Mohammed V
The Lalla Haya spring
The villa of Arts (Casablanca)
Mosque Hassan II (Casablanca)

Top Highlights of the Country
The Jemaa-al-Fna square
The medina of Fes
Essaouira
The ruins of Volubilis
The kasbah of Oudaia
The museum of Oasis at Tinejdad
The palm grove of Tineghir
The waterfalls of Ouzoud
The valley of Ait Boughmez
The cedar plantation of the Middle-Atlas (In French)

Tourism Organisations: National Office of Tourism
Administration of Tourisme
Cultural Organizations: Ministry of Culture
Royal Institute for Amazighe Culture
For Further Information: Morocco Tourism
Tourism in Morocco

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Political Freedom: Provided. The king retains majority of the powers.
Civil Liberty: 5/7
: World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2021 report : 136/180
Free Access to the Internet: Medium.
Rule of Law: Guaranteed.
Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights: Guaranteed, even if anti-terrorism fight justifies certain exceptions.
Women's Condition: Their legal status has improved.
For Further Information: Moroccan Association of Human Rights
International Federation of Human Rights
Freedom House

Religion

Degree of Freedom: Provided, but proselytism and conversion of Muslims is forbidden.
Beliefs: Islam is the state religion, practiced by almost the entire population, but freedom of religion exists. 90% of Moroccans are Sunnis by faith, of the Malikian rite.
The day is punctuated by five prayer calls. During the month of Ramadan, the Moroccans fast, do not drink and smoke from sunrise to sunset.
Role of Religion in Society: Significant, though the Malikian rite is relatively non rigid.

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