Anyone in Fes in May?

[Miss smarty pants 84]

Hi. My fiancee's K-1 was recently refused at the Embassy, 4 months ago, with no word whatsoever from USCIS yet other than they have received my case back and will make a decision sometime before infinity runs out. I am considering moving to Morocco and will be going to Fes next month to decide on a temporary to permanent move. I am curious to hear from Americans there what can I expect to be very different in moving there. Are Americans allowed to work? Is it possible to buy a house there? Are the tax laws very different? My fiancee has told me a little but he doesn't know America to be able to make a good comparison. I am a little nervous and excited also. What is a typical day like? Are you treated like you have 3 heads? I have been to Morocco once but it was a short stay then just to be with him. I didn't really immerse myself in the culture last time.

Edited April 19, 2010 by i luv my fiance

[Golden Gate 530]

Hi. My fiancee's K-1 was recently refused at the Embassy, 4 months ago, with no word whatsoever from USCIS yet other than they have received my case back and will make a decision sometime before infinity runs out. I am considering moving to Morocco and will be going to Fes next month to decide on a temporary to permanent move. I am curious to hear from Americans there what can I expect to be very different in moving there. Are Americans allowed to work? Is it possible to buy a house there? Are the tax laws very different? My fiancee has told me a little but he doesn't know America to be able to make a good comparison. I am a little nervous and excited also. What is a typical day like? Are you treated like you have 3 heads? I have been to Morocco once but it was a short stay then just to be with him. I didn't really immerse myself in the culture last time.

I can only tell you a little, since I was there only 10 days, but maybe it can help a bit: I didn't really feel like people looked at me strange, although my fiance seemed more self-conscious about it than I was. He seemed to think everyone was looking at me. I found people to be very nice and considerate. They usually tried to speak French with me, assuming I was European. I think it is better if you dress conservatively with loose fitting clothes and don't look directly into people's eyes when talking to them. Don't smile too much when you are walking on the street, or it might be misinterpreted. It is best to be low-key in public situations and not overly physically expressive. The police seem especially curious, and might be more inclined to stop you to find out your story. I was in a very conservative city, where women often stay indoors. Still, I saw a lot of women walking around, going to university, shopping...etcetera. When I was in public, my fiance was very protective of me, if others appeared to give unwanted attention, but I didn't really get much of that anyway. I felt relaxed at restaurants and at the Medina. There is a difference between the Moroccans who moved to Europe and are visiting home, and the locals who have never left. I can't really tell you anything about working there, however. Also, be careful driving there. Everyone walks in the street whenever they feel like it. Pedestrians rule. Not sure if this is the norm in all cities, however, but noticed it in Rabat and Oujda and all the little cities along the way. Children too, will be in the street, seemingly unattended. It is the place to become a good obstacle course driver. Make sure you tip everybody. Usually when parking, you will be expected to tip the person who is supposedly assisting you and watching your car. Anyway, you will get used to things very quickly.

[Golden Gate 530]

I just wanted to add:

A typical day in Oujda was people getting up quite early to work on construction - lots of building going on.The call to prayer from every Mosque in the area before dawn. You see lots of men and boys everywhere. You see kids going to school in their white uniform shirts or other uniforms, or standing outside their schools at breaks. You see tons of taxis and traffic and limited parking in the city. People on motorbikes. Tons of traffic circles. People honking the minute the light turns. You can usually hear young children playing in their houses or outside on the roof, especially if you live downstairs. Often you will see two or three women walking together, or with children. Groups of boys playing soccer in a gravel lot or field. Families having picnics along the highway in fields under a tree. Men in cafes all day. Lots of donkeys, some horses, goats and sheep around town. Families waiting for taxis or buses along the highway. People walking everywhere. Definately different than where I live - where I barely ever even see a single neighbor in my neighborhood. People working in their shops in the garages or on the ground floor of their houses. At night, you will see men in cafes, but otherwise the streets will be bare.

[Miss smarty pants 84]

Thank you. It is helpful. Does anyone know if an American can buy a house in Morocco?

[sara535 15]

Thank you. It is helpful. Does anyone know if an American can buy a house in Morocco?

sure Americans can buy homes there. Marrakech in particular is full of European owned homes.

[kforever 2]

hi

dont wory about anything i live her in fez there is lot of foreign people live in normal way for house sur u can buy house also life her is more sheap than other cities like casa or tanger

for work i dont have any idea but i think there is people from usa work in the center american teash english

hop to u a good luck

Edited April 20, 2010 by kforever

[msheesha 548]

Here is a blog of an American woman who lives in Fes. It might be helpful to read and/or try to get in touch with her to get her perspective. Good luck.

http://evelyninmorocco.blogspot.com/

[Miss smarty pants 84]

Here is a blog of an American woman who lives in Fes. It might be helpful to read and/or try to get in touch with her to get her perspective. Good luck.

http://evelyninmorocco.blogspot.com/

Interesting blog. Draws you in so easy. Thanks for that.