Amman Travel Forum

Hi...
I moved to Amman few weeks ago. I have rented a flat where I live alone with my children. My husband is still working in the UK, so I have to manage to do eveything on my own. I like Jordan very much. I have been in Amman many times before on holiday with my husband who is Jordanian. I always thought of Amman as a very safe place to life. But, now, after talking about this matters with a few Jordanian friends, don,t know what to think. I have been told not to go out at night on my own or to go in a taxi at night, not to talk to to any extranger or to invate anybody at my home if I'm alone...Are all these things that I shorld be worried about? or, is it really safe for me and my children to go out at night to the mall by taxi? Also, i have been told not to open the door if i don't know that person or not to go to the Balad alone, or to talk to any man who tryes to speak to me if I don't know him.
please, tell me if these things are rules to follow or if Amman is safe and I shoudn't worry.
Thanks a lot!!!
If there anything else that I should know...
All the best.

One thing I am not clear about - why have you gone to live in Jordan while your Jordanian husband remains in the UK?
Would he have allowed you to go, without his protection, if he thought you and your children would, in any way, be at risk?
Have you discussed all these serious worries that you have with your husband ?
Do you have any contact witn members of your husbamd's family in Jordan who could offer you support?

I could be wrong but I think the answer to this question is about social etiquette.

Whilst you were visiting Jordon, more or less as a tourist, the rules are different.
Living there with a Jordanian husband (albeit, him still in the UK) is a whole different kettle of fish. As an Islamic country there are things (as a married woman) that you can and can’t do.
You do need to speak to your husband and his family to get some guidance.

Hi...
My husband is still working in the UK but he is planning to move here as soon as he finishes a few things in the UK. I came here in order to organice the house and to get used to living in Jordan. Yes, I do have contact with his family but we live quite far. So, I have to manage to do everything on my own.
Thanks for your help.

It could be a cultural norm but precaution is a must just like you would do in any other place ,dont let down your guards since you `re new to town , the one about not answering back a stranger man that talks to you is right as it`s not customary for Arab men well strangers to just come up and talk to a woman just like that out of the blue if they dont know you.You never know they could be up to no good taking advantage of you one way or the other ,distracting you and snatching your bag ,kid,even be weary of women and everyone untill you are familiar with your surroundings and people /friends that you will get to know.Don`t go out late at night to be on the cautious side ,you dont know the roads or the good and bad neighborhoods with pickpockets, touts,theives,child kidnappers if any ...etc.there are a lot of refugee camps in Amman (i think) that the taxi might be taking you through.

oh and defenitely dont go on your own at night walking in empty streets or in a taxi...

Hello, i'm paola
nice to meet You.
i live & work in Amman, too. I have 3 children of my own and i had been here since 10 yrs.

Once , Amman was more "safe", less traffic jam, people was more calm , during last years well things & people changed...Youngster are use to make troubles, adults have a short tempers...but really we must not generalize...So just have a common sense and a good dose of caution, as in every city.

my best

Yes it's considered a safe city but you always need to be careful, wow paola been living here 10 years that's awesome, are you married to a Jordanian guy or what?

Hi Karmen
There is much exaggerating in the previous replies and also in your worries. First of all where do you live? in which area in Amman?
For me, Amman feels definitly much safer than Granada, Spain or the UK (lived in both before).
Going out in Taxis is completely safe even if it is up till midnight - for more peace of mind, you can use the new "Momayaz" taxi company which their taxi drivers are actullay employees, all formally dressed, and you can request them by the phone (i will try to get you their phone number!).
Talking to strangers and all those worries that you have addressed, i guess they are applicable to every place in the world and not only Amman! My advice is use your common sense and you should be 100% safe and sound!!

Thanks a lot to everyone who has answered my question. Nice to met you Paola too.
Yes please I would love to have the number of that taxi company. I didn't know that your could order a taxi by phone in Amman. Do they charge a similar price? The area where I live is called touberbur. Sorry, maybe I got the speeling wrong.

All the best xxx

Hi Karmen

Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. The taxi number is (06) 57-999-99,
as i mentioned before it is called (Momayyaz - which means the special).

Please dont hesitate to ask for any further help!

Thanks very much Marwan... I will definately try that taxi. After, you call, how long do they take to come? Do the charge similar price as a normal taxi? Are they same the colour? Thanks!!! You have been so helpful...
Bye.