Marrakech

[jpaula 20]

OK, this living apart has got to come to an end.

Algeria isn't an option so we have our sights set on Marrakech for three months. We have visited before and do have some friends of friends to talk to about the logistics there. But, with the plethora of Moroccans and their SOs, it seems this board could offer better advice. The list of questions is long, but off the top of my head:

How easy/expensive is it to rent an apartment? Where should we rent? If we are there Jan thru March I am guessing it is a low tourist season and an apartment at a decent price won't be hard to find. Am I fooling myself? I know we can both stay for 90 days visa free. If we want to stay longer can we just hop the border and back or is it a more involved process?

Any answers to those or any general advice very much appreciated!

[sarah and hicham 3]

I went in December and we got a great new appartment with 2 bedrooms and kitchen for around 60 dollars a night.

I think it helps to know someone there who can scope out some places for you before you get there.

Sorry I can't be of more help,

good luck and have fun!

Sarah

I think that's the best time to go to Marrakech. It wasn't cold in the city but there's snow in the mountains it's so beautiful.

[honeyblonde 0]

I'm sure there are others here who can answer much better than me on that but I'll tell you want I know.

Marrakesh seems to be a little more expensive than some parts of Morocco. In 1999 my ex and I paid $30 a night for a very nice hotel room there, but that was a long time ago. I would consider that pretty expensive compared to what we paid elsewhere at that time, including in Casablance ($15 a night but the room wasn't as nice there) It is considered about the most romantic city in the country so it is a huge tourist attraction.

This might help:

http://www.moroccanconsulate.com/visa.cfm

It looks like you can get a resident permit once there from the local police. If the local police are anything like where my husband is from (Taza, you just have to make sure the "fee" you offer is high enough to get what you want in a timely fashion, if you understand what I mean.)

Oh, I just looked at the marriage tab of their website. Did anybody here (Moroccan) register their marriage with the consulate in New York? I didn't. Is this mandatory, or only for Muslims?

[~ Karima ~ 0]

My fiance Simo lives in Marrakesh, but only for a few more days. He might be able to point you in the direction of a few places if you want to contact him. His ID on here is Zamo95, you can PM him or myself and I will give you more details.

[mybackpages 0]

I also have a number of someone in marrakech who works int he tourist industry. We had a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment for about $50 a night. PM i fyou need a contact

[jpaula 20]

Thanks everyone. I will PM.

I am actually looking to rent an apartment for three months. Maybe we will just book a room in a riad for the first two weeks and then search once we get there. Seems easier than the websites which are obviously aimed at tourists. Plus, nice to see it in person before you rent.

I don't need to establish residency is we stay for less than the 90 day visa period, right? Are there any benefits to doing so?

[Visa4habibi! 0]

If he's from Morocco, why do you need to rent? I'm sure he has a lot of relatives over there that you could stay with. If you're not too much into relatives, there's cheaper places than Marakesh. Take for example Meknes. I was there just for a day, but according to Moroccans it is cheaper than Marakesh.

[jpaula 20]

Oops, maybe I was not clear enough. He is Algerian and we want out of Algiers. I came back to Seattle to try to make some money in the waiting period, but we have decided to wing it and just try to be together for the wait. So, if it can't be the US (yet) and it can't be Algeria....Morocco is worth a try. All of his languages work there and I can have much more independence than I can in Algeria. Plus, we could both use a little adventure. There are not alot of countries we can both visit without a visa, but Morocco is no problem for 90 days.

I do realize Marrakech is touristy and more expensive than other towns, but we both love it.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

I do realize Marrakech is touristy and more expensive than other towns, but we both love it.

I love Marrakesh too. Hope you find a comfortable place.

[StupidJourney 0]

I do realize Marrakech is touristy and more expensive than other towns, but we both love it.

I love Marrakesh too. Hope you find a comfortable place.

I like Marrakech a lot too! (and not just cause Hamid's there!) The time of year you said is perfect for Marrakech! (do NOT go in summer! this is coming from a south texas girl who just spent Halloween in 87 degree weather!) just try to find a place in or near Gueliz, otherwise it's a BEEATCH to find a petit taxi. Trust me!

Oh and don't drink the 2 dh orange juice in jama efna. I've been warned!

and if you're ever in a pickle over there, just PM me and I can see if anyone can help!

Good luck!

[MrsAmera 41]

My husband still has a lot of family in Marrakech. I will ask him when he gets home if he knows any specifics about where you could rent a nice apartment for 3 months. Most of the apartments are geared for short term stays so it might even be an idea to actually "lease" the apartment - from what I understand it's very different there than here and there is no 1 year lease agreement neccesarily. Gueliz is nice but it's the most expensive part of town to live. M'Hamid is much more residential - farther from the hustle of the city but also cheaper. We never had a problem getting taxi's (Youssef's sister has an apartment there and we lived in her place for a month). His brother just came back from Morocco about a month ago and said the prices in Marrakech have really gone up and there was just a show on 2M about the numbers of French citizens that are buying properties and opening businesses in Marrakech and driving prices up. If living RIGHT in Marrakech is not detrimental than consider something a little farther out. The price will be much cheaper. You could always buy/rent a motorcycle for a few months - they're really the best way to get around Marrakech (I swear!)

This is a nice time of year to go. After July it's horrible. January is a bit rainy, but by March it's beautiful. Plus in winter is when the oranges are ripe and they are awesome! Ok getting teary and sentimental here! So I will ask him when he's home if he knows of some specific apartments or locations or people and let you know!

[Ruthanne 0]

The oranges in Morocco in March rock my world. mmmmmm .. Good luck on your adventure.

[jpaula 20]

Thank you, thank you. We were last in Marrakech in July and, believe it or not, we loved it. Sat out the afternoons most days, mind you, but the dry heat was pretty nice for this Oregonian. And, drank the orange juice from the stands with no visible harm.

We will definitely scope out a few neighborhoods before we rent. And, it is an excuse to wander the city for a few weeks

Thank you for the suggestions.

One strange question. For one year in Algiers my husband has been craving Thai food and as we will get there on his birthday I would love to take him out. I hear there is Thai food in Marrakech. Could it be? Has anyone been to a Thai restaurant they liked?

One day we should all write guide books. Collectively, you guys could drum up a great one for Morocco.

[~ Karima ~ 0]

I'm not sure about Thai food, but I do know they have an excellent Chinese resturaunt.

[deeshla 0]

OK, this living apart has got to come to an end.

Algeria isn't an option so we have our sights set on Marrakech for three months. We have visited before and do have some friends of friends to talk to about the logistics there. But, with the plethora of Moroccans and their SOs, it seems this board could offer better advice. The list of questions is long, but off the top of my head:

How easy/expensive is it to rent an apartment? Where should we rent? If we are there Jan thru March I am guessing it is a low tourist season and an apartment at a decent price won't be hard to find. Am I fooling myself? I know we can both stay for 90 days visa free. If we want to stay longer can we just hop the border and back or is it a more involved process?

Any answers to those or any general advice very much appreciated!

I haven't read the other replies yet, but I will give you a small overview.

Marrakech has gotten more expensive but it is still cheap by American standards - if you were to live in the douars (neighborhoods) like Douwdiat or Dar Zitoun or even the medina you could find something for 1500-2500 dirhams ($160-$270) a month. A nice set up with good bathroom, roof access and a few bedrooms, etc in a the neighborhoods around Gueliz (the new city, very trendy and modern) is a lot more -- starting at 3000 dirhams and up. However, by our standards, not too bad a price. Eating in Marrkaech is cheap -- of course plentiful souks and groceries, etc. If you want to have a more posh experience you could rent a riad, but those are really expensive (but don't miss checking them out!)

About staying in country. If you plan to stay longer than 3 months, yes you will need to apply for a carte de sejour. I have had friends who just went up to Ceuta or Spain (mainland) for a day and came back (the stamp on your passporte will suffice) and did without the carte and managed to stay in country a year or so. There will be some documents you need to rent an apartment, though - but I think as a foriegner it will be waived. Put the apartment in YOUR name, as an Algerian/Moroccan he might be harrassed for being with you. Also, didn't see if you are married or not but this can affect things. Carry around your marriage cert. when you go in public. Unlike Casa and Rabat, in Marrakech there are scores of "tourist police" who will demand to see it when they see a Western woman and a Moroccan walking around together. This happened to us a few times. If you are not married, I suggest getting a document taht says you are engaged.

That is it for now, I will read what other people wrote.

Can you tell I write for a guidebook? Haha. Anything else, just PM me. Marrakech is like my home.

Amanda

I do realize Marrakech is touristy and more expensive than other towns, but we both love it.

I love Marrakesh too. Hope you find a comfortable place.

I like Marrakech a lot too! (and not just cause Hamid's there!) The time of year you said is perfect for Marrakech! (do NOT go in summer! this is coming from a south texas girl who just spent Halloween in 87 degree weather!) just try to find a place in or near Gueliz, otherwise it's a BEEATCH to find a petit taxi. Trust me!

Oh and don't drink the 2 dh orange juice in jama efna. I've been warned!

and if you're ever in a pickle over there, just PM me and I can see if anyone can help!

Good luck!

Gosh, I LOVE the (now 3 dirham) orange juice in Djmaa El Fnna. LOVE IT. When I am in Kech, I drink it every day, sometimes with grapefruit mixed in.

Drooling now.