Madinat Sultan Qaboos: Muscat's green, established expat district

Madinat Sultan Qaboos, known to residents simply as "MQ", is a planned residential district built in the 1980s on the hills between Al Khuwair and Shatti Al Qurum. For decades it has been one of the most popular addresses for expatriate families and diplomats.

Character

MQ is green, calm and low-rise, with villas behind walls and gardens, small apartment buildings and tree-lined roads. Its compact commercial centre has supermarkets, cafés, a few well-known restaurants and services, so daily life can happen without a long drive.

Living there

• Central: Shatti Al Qurum beach, Al Khuwair offices and Qurum are a few minutes away.
• Quiet residential streets suited to families.
• Several schools and nurseries in the area and nearby districts.
• Strong international community.

Homes and prices

Homes are mostly older villas and low-rise apartments, many renovated. Rents are in the upper-middle range for Muscat, reflecting the location.

Can foreigners buy?

MQ is not a designated area for foreign ownership; foreigners rent here. Families who like MQ's community feel and want to own often choose Al Mouj or Muscat Hills, 20 minutes west.

How R2LUX helps

Three family homes in communities where foreigners can buy are listed below.