MOROCCO, A WAY OF LIFE

If you visited Morocco in the past, you would know what we mean when we say that Moroccans are undoubtedly some of the most hospitable and welcoming people. In a country where diversity is striking and cultural differences are pronounced, the people are used to living in a rich environment where various religions, behaviors, languages, customs, beliefs, and clothing styles all come together and coexist peacefully. For Moroccans, diversity is part and parcel of their daily lives, an essential element of what it means to be Moroccan. Added to this is that Moroccans are known to live in close-knit communities where interaction with one another and helping each other is at the core of their lives. Today we see what it is like to live a life in Morocco. This article also helps when you decide to move to Morocco Permanently.

Religion

One principal constituent of life in Morocco is the religion of Islam. This religion governs the life of the people in the country. It is the source of inspiration behind much of the actions of Moroccans and is considered the cornerstone of their lives. Moroccans adopt a moderate understanding of Islam so that you would find the country one of the most peaceful Islamic countries in the world. People in Morocco have a solid attachment to their religion, but that does not stand in their way of progress and development. For most Moroccans, being Muslim means that they should adopt such values as respect, caring for others, sympathy, honesty, understanding one another, and living peacefully with all people regardless of the difference between them. This is why Moroccans are considered some of the most welcoming and hospitable nations globally. Their values are not restricted to the people of their community only; they extend to all the world’s people.

The Lingo

Moroccan mother tongue is Arabic. Although their decedents were Berber, with the introduction of Islam in this region and the dominance of Arabs, the line between the two cultures was erased, and both cultures mixed pretty well. Although there is a difference in the dialect, there is Darija, a Moroccan form of Arabic, and the Berber dialect is known as Tamazight widely spoken by the Berbers you will meet while trekking in the Atlas Mountains.

Cost of Living in Morocco

One of the best things about Morocco is its Cost of Living because it is very affordable to live in Morocco. Like in just $3, you can enjoy a good meal in a restaurant and enjoy a Cappuccino cup for $2. Other things like Milk, bread, rice, meat, Transportation, and education are also very cheap.

Family Values

Moroccans are very close with their families and respect their family cultures and traditions. It is their utmost priority to take care of their family and give them the best resources to succeed. The success of the individual is considered the success of the whole family. By looking at their foreign remittance, you can imagine how strong their values are and how much they care about their family. Foreign remittance means money that people living abroad give to their family members. So, foreign remittance of morocco in 2019 is 7.4% which in 2020 after Coronavirus goes to 10.4%, and 2020 is still not over. If you are single and move to Morocco, then get ready to be asked a set of family-related questions like where is your family? Do you have any children? Are you Married? Etc.

Social Etiquettes

Moroccans are generally very friendly and welcoming to each other, and when they meet some foreigners, they do the same and greet them. When you go to some local shops, they offer you tea and tell you they will give you huge discounts; it’s’ all because of their social values and norms. They will greet you while passing and often invite you for lunch in their house.

Visa and Immigration

If you want to stay in Morocco for less than 90 days, you may not need an entry visa; a valid passport would be enough. But if you’re going to stay more than that, you have to apply for a Visa. You can do so at the Immigration office of the area where you live in Morocco, and they will tell you the procedure in detail. They will also explain the process if you are a student, married to a Moroccan or if some company hired you in Morocco. All of this information is usually Available in immigration departments. In addition, you have to submit legal documentation like application forms, Visa requirements, valid driving license (If any), Criminal record, Birth Certificate, Bank Statements, and most importantly, a medical certificate which is very important after Corona Virus Pandemic. You can check our recently published Morocco travel guide where we discussed these topics in-depth for more information.

Finding Accommodation

When you land in Morocco, the first thing which worries expats is Accommodation. If you are an employee, the employer will probably find you some suitable accommodation; otherwise, you can ask your friend or even some locals about some reasonable accommodation. You can hire a real estate manager, and they will find you someplace to live, but they usually charge one month of rent which cost you high. Many websites online can help you find some reasonable and cheap accommodations. Usually, people choose Rabat, Essaouira, or Marrakech as their home base when they decide to live in Morocco.

Traveling in Morocco

Traveling in Morocco is easy and efficient as there are taxis, airplanes, boats, and buses which can take you anywhere you wish. The only thing you should worry about is negotiations, as Moroccans are excellent negotiators, so you should level your game up when it comes to negotiation. The most effective way of Transportation is the trains, which are very luxurious and comfortable, but the trains’ routes are limited to some cities. Buses are also good as you can find both luxury buses and local buses. The only difference is that the luxury one is equipped with air-conditioning and luxury seats. Taxis are good if you are traveling within the town. Taxis are also private in which only you can travel and shared in which you pay less, and the fair is divided with other passengers. We recommend that if you are comfortable then book a shared taxi because it would save you a good amount of money. But you can hire a private taxi if you want to travel intercity. Marrakech Desert Trips can always help you with that matter if needed.

Literacy Rate

According to the 2018 census, the literacy rate of morocco is 73.75%. Men are slightly more educated than women, but in recent years the literacy rate of women has also gone up. The government now takes some serious measures to improve the country’s education level and aims to open new Schools, Collage, and universities. Education till the age of 14 is now mandatory for every Moroccan. Although many rural families cannot afford to send their children to school because of their financial situation, the government of Morocco is planning to give the families some package and try to raise their financial situation. They also opened a couple of excellent schools in rural areas to facilitate these families.

Finding Expat community

In Morocco, you will find many Europeans, Americans, Africans, Middle Eastern, and Asians. That is why It is known as the ethnic Centre for many centuries. You can find the expat community of morocco on Instagram or Facebook. In addition, the expat community is very active on social media and forums like Reddit and Quora. Just do some research online, and you will find the expat community of Morocco.