If you are arriving in Oman on a full expat package then accommodation is usually included in your employment contract. Some companies provide a cash allowance to spend on rent, some let you choose a property and then they liaise directly with the landlord and make the payment on your behalf, and some companies provide staff accommodation on a compound. Most expats find themselves living in the capital, Muscat, where good quality apartments can be found all over the city. The main areas are Muscat, Mutrah, Ruwi, Wattayah, Qurm, Shati Al Qurm, Madinat Sultan Qaboos (MSQ), Al Khuwayr, Ghubbrah, Azaibah and Seeb. Muscat’s hilly terrain means that people living on the top floors usually have a great view, while expat families more commonly prefer one of the many villas. The cost of accommodation is relatively high and, as the city is spread out over a large area, it pays to consider commuting distances when choosing where to live.