Experience in Beirut, Lebanon by Houssam Eddine

What is it like to live in Beirut? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Beirut is a city full of life, beautiful experiences, and diversity. You would like to come and visit this small city for tourism where i highly recommend a vacation there especially with the exquisite nightlife it has. However, it is not a very safe city to live in due to rising conflicts especially regionally. But with all what happened and is still happening, Beirut is like the phoenix!

What is the student lifestyle like in Beirut?

As an AUB student, you get to enjoy a very nice academic experience. The environment is so exposed and diverse, especially with the location of this American University in the heart of Beirut and next to all fun locations (restos, cafés, pubs, nights, shops...). In other words, you get to live the American experience in the heart of the Lebanese Beirut!

How much does it cost to live in Beirut?

It is relatively not cheap. Housing is somehow expensive where rents varry between 1000 and even more than 5000$, with respect to the location and the size. When it comes to ownership it's harder where prices jump up to not less than 600,000$ if you want a decent home and may rise up to 4 and 5 million dollars. Other expenses are also high like food, clothing, services...

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Beirut? Is there any advice you can give?

What is more difficult is to find the range you want, especially if you are a student.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

The food is the best part of Lebanon! Beirut has a wide range of restaurants with different cuisines making it an internationally attracting arena for food lovers. You get to find the Italian, Chinese, French, American, Japanese, Mongolian and other specialties... Not forgetting my favorite, the Lebanese cuisine where my favorite is the mezza which is composed of different types of dishes like hommos, tabouleh, and others... So yummy!

What places would you recommend visiting in Beirut?

If you come to Beirut then Hamra is a must! It's a region in Beirut which is so crowded because you can say, it has everything! In addition to visiting the beach and the cafés with the sea view...

Is it good to eat out in Beirut? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Choice is very important. There are the good places and of course the bad ones too like any other cities. For me, i mostly stick to the usual which are Roadster diner, Crepaway, Deek Duke, and others which mostly serve fastfood. Oh! One cannot forget PF chang's which serves south-eastern dishes, my favorite honestly!

Is the nightlife good in Beirut? Where is good to go?

One of the best they say! Not so into nightlife therefore i can't give adequate info.

What advice would you give future students heading to Beirut?

Benefit from the experience as much as you can! Make friends, people here are so friendly you can't imagine... There is everything here and Beirut has it all! Oh and most importantly, don't miss out tasting the Lebanese specialties, trust me they're the best thing your taste buds can ever taste!!