Beirut - Post Report Question and Answers
Can you save money?
Yes, it is possible to save money, but it is also possible to spend it all if you eat well and go out to clubs. - Feb 2015
No. The COLA is not commensurate with the cost of living. You will spend your hardship pay on every opportunity to reduce stress and escape the compound with weekend travel, massages, and indulgent meals. - Nov 2014
It's difficult. Sometimes the only thing to look forward to is going out to dinner. Or buying a nice bottle of wine. When you are out for only a few hours a week, a weird thing happens and you want to cram a lot of living into a few hours. You end up over-eating and over-spending - wanting to splurge before you go back to your compound for another week. R&Rs out of here, even to neighboring countries are necessary for sanity. All flights out of Beirut are international flights. We are not allowed domestic travel in excess of 6 hours. - Apr 2014
Beirut isn't particularly cheap so it depends on the job and pay. - Jan 2014
Not as much as you would think. Dinners out run about $50-100 per couple. Movie tickets are about $7. Entrance to the beach clubs can be up to $25/person. - Apr 2012
If you try. - Sep 2010
Yes, because of the high danger and hardship pay. At the same time, things are not cheap here and people spend lots of money going out to eat and drink as a way to get off the compound. Beirut is a place where life can be as nice as you like it, as long as you're willing to pay for it. - Jul 2010
Yes -- provided you do not order from the motorpool everyday. - Jun 2009
Sure, especially if you only get off compound once or twice a week. But look out for those Amazon purchases! - Jun 2008
No, no, no. - Mar 2008
