Islamabad Travel Forum

Hi, I am so happy I found this site today, after days of searching for info on living in Islamabad. I will be moving to PK in about 6 months with just my 2 children and have no idea where to start...we first need a house to rent out there (3-4 bedrooms) my son is 21/2 yrs old and by the time we come he will be three so I want to put him in private school (can I, at that age?) Also where to bank, shop, go to the gym, meet people my age (I'm 27). Pleaseee if someone can please point me in the right direction, I would be very grateful..I have lots of family in PK (none are helpful, and no one is from Islamabad so...) Most help is needed in renting out a house (no apartments)..I will also need a car. Thanks.

Afsheen

hi afsheen,
i would not worry too much about flats, houses etc. for all my colleagues it was quite easy to find something. as far as i know F6 and F7 are the most popular but also most espensive sectors. I can give you the number of my property dealer if you want. but as I said: dont worry in advance you will be fine!
No information about schools, sorry!

Cheers

Catrin
catfroehlich@hotmail.com

hi afsheen..
its nice to hear to come to PK....WARM WELCOME TO PAKISTAN-ISLAMABAD.... you have selected the properly developed and planned city of pakistan to live...i am sure you and your family will enjoy living in islamabad.
this is the only city in pakistan which has the underground electricity wiring which has increased its beauty. this city is full of natural beauty, green due to margalla hills...so do not worry about the things you have mentioned but just you have to make a one visit before actual moving and you will find it is not a problem....

-for renting a house or appartment needs your visit personnelly because mostely property dealers are not online and also it will worth when you personnelly visit and see the offered houses or appartments to you... when you come to islamabad you will found lot of property dealing offices and so you have to give your requirement and the range of rent so they will show you the options... please do visit as many as possible because you have to negociate on rates of accomodation and on their commision as well. mostely those people are interlinked with each other...may be one house shown by 2 or 3 property dealers.. so you have to be little bit good negociater or bargaining qualities...
the deal will include following items for cost,
finalyse the rent per month,
discuss the advance security in shape of money or you can say advance rent may of some months,
how to pay the utility bills and get the reading of all meters once take over the house and get it signed from the owner as well for future reference,
ask them for submeter to have a exact reading and payment in future
discuss in detail each and every thing in detail and them put all things in writing on the offical paper (stamp paper) and read it carefully before signing the contract to avoid any misunderstanding...

-for car renting or purchasing is also not a big deal you will find lot of car showrooms in islamabad and also in adjasant city of rawalpindi...you will see it practically and then decide the made of car, model year, engin power, condition....normal cars used in pakistan are honda, suzuki, toyota but also bmw, mercedese, porche, cadelic, hyundai, kia etc etc....
try to check you own mechanic to varify the engin and also show to painter who can varify the accidental area and also let you you the condition of car paint....

-islamabad city web page... so you can get the idea about city general info, map, details of education in islamabad, health, banks, travel, hotels etc etc...
http://www.islamabad.net/

-international school of islamabad...detail issued by the usa, washington...visit this american school site
http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/1510.htm

-further list of schools and colleges in islamabad
http://www.batchmates.com/institution/instlist.asp?CCode=11&CName=Pakistan&SCode=869&SName=Islamabad&LCode=13890&LName=Islamabad

-another link of list of international and national school of pakistan....you can see islamabad city schools,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_schools_in_Pakistan

i hope the above web pages will work and you will find the good help....if you still have questions, please do let me know i will answer at my best.... my email address is "tabrez603@yahoo.com".....wish you and your family remain the best and happy.....regards...Tabrez

Hi there,

Islamabad, I don't think that you'd face any problem, enough speace there, funished houses're available for the Diplomats, expats etc and there're some VTers living there who can help you Like Catrin (Pakcat) and Emmafairfax so you can PM them and you'll get enough information from there.

It's a beautiful city with its lush green atmosphere.
For Shopping

Jinnah Super market,
Melody Market,
Abbpara Market,

The above ntioned places're afmous for their shops and general stores, book shops, restaurants etc.

There're banks laocal as well as international so there's no need to worry about anything here in Islamabad.


I wish you all the luck.

Thanks,everyone for your responses. Unfortunately, I will not be able to go to PK prior to my going there to stay. I spoke with my husband and he said he knows someone personally there who will help us scout out a house to rent and have the pics emailed to me. I have no choice, because I cannot go prior due to work reasons. Its' scary this way because I will be living there bymyself with my two young childeren, and BTW I have already emailed Catrin (no response as of yet)I guess once I get there, I will visit the schools, banks, shops etc to get to know what Islamabad has to offer. Also it would be great to know other VT's there in hopes to have a social life, lol, because god knows how nice or mean ppl there are. Anyhow, KIT, thanks again.

hi afsheen...good luck to you and keep in touch even after being in islamabad....thanks....Tabrez

Hey how are you if you need any help in pakistan you can contact me on 0300 5005270 i am haider islamabad you wont regret it

Hi Afsheen

Short intro: Moved to Islamabad from Copenhagen some four years ago (and never been that happy about a move). 4 schoolgoing children. Been through most of the issues you've presented and will try to give some few comments.

Servant/maid/driver: You may want this. Most people would have it. 50-85 USD/month. With schoolgoing children it's not a bad solution. Remember to get a copy of their ID. Servants can be great and some times a headache.

Accommodation: If you have high expectations you MUST see the it before renting. What a estate agent might feel is "exclusive" you might find less exclusive. Exclusive and very high standard is available in E7 and F-sectors. Rent is 600-1000 USD for 2-3 bedrooms on 1st floor (hot in the summers). Groundfloor costs 800-1200 USD. We are our-selves looking for a house and are very focused on F-11. Although it's expensive but the houses are new and rather nice.

Schools: Islamabad International School: 1000 USD/month. Your kids will be mostly with ex-pats. Will NOT recommend it. Other good private schools: 50-100 USD/month depending on age/class etc

Car: Corolla: 30-50 USD/day depending on model/age and duration of rental. Would recommend to buy a car and sell it when you leave. Will pay of in most cases. New, small: 10 K USD, medium: 20K USD, Large: 30K-150K - your choice. Japanese cars have good re-sale value.

Going-out/activites: Some of the few weaknesses of Islamabad although picking up. Some good sports-facilities (Jinnah Stadium), fitness-centres, aerobis, martial art etc. Trekking, hiking, cultural, religious and historic places are close to Islamabad. Most restaurants and cafes close around midnight-1 am.

It's late and I need to get up for the fast in few hours....

Should you have any questions, specific or general, you are welcome to write me now and/or contact me when arrived.

Despite some problems and shortcomings, I really find Islamabad to be a very nice place that I believe you would like - if you can adjust to it's rythm and tune.


Dr. Hussain

Ups - forgot some important points in my reply

Vaccination: Apart from routine/childhood vaccinations I would suggest vaccines against Hepatitis A and B, Encephalities, renewal of Tetanus (if required). Check with local regulations and recommendations for age. Vaccines freely available in Islamabad and could be administered upon arrival. If you are quite sure that you will not be leaving Islamabad to be in a primitive setting for vacations you may skip the malaria prophylaxis.

Accommodation: It's unlikely anyone/the property dealer will be able to "hold" a flat for couple of months. On balance I believe you will be better off by staying in a Guesthouse on arrival and then spend maybe 2-3 days (at the most) finding a place to live. I can help you arrange for 2-3 estate agents to present some options when you arrive. The more specific you are about your requirements the faster the right chose can me circled in.

Please notice that the very nature of your questions is naturally problem oriented but fortunately Islamabad is not that difficult to settle in. On a very personal account my worst daily irritant is .... the traffic. And to some extent lack of maintainence of public area/shopping area. Accommodation, health-issues, education, finding out-how-to or where-to has never been a major issue.