Live in Muscat, (have some years now) So I will answer a few questions:
@Nathan with your income you will MORE than be able to livee just fine in Muscat and save A LOT of money. ( With 6000 OMR, you can pay for tuition and full time nanny (ies) for all of your children, and still put aside a good amount of savings. Definitely look into investing in property as it is quite cheap. Even With half of your income you could still do well.
@Yugesh 700 rial with a wife and kids? Unless you are being provided accommodation, transpo, and utilities included? DON'T do it. For a family of 4 with only one regular income? I would suggest coming on a single visa, and send money home. If not, then ask for more, like at least another 300-400 OMR more.
Look if you have a family, do not come here unless you are making at least 1,000 and up. And with OMR for base income, make sure you include housing. If not, then you need to make sure you are making 1,400 OMR.
If you are single and childfree, 700-800 OMR is more than enough. Especially if you are receiving housing.
Let me break it down: You can find a cute apartment in Mabaila for 125-175 OMR which is an upcoming area. ( Brand new malls, only 15 minutes away from city centre, etc) However, if you want to live in a more central location like Qurum, (more affluent/more Western expat based), go ahead and multiply that figure by 3 or 4. Average apartment there starts around 350 OMR and up and that's for one bedroom/studios.
Car: Most people finance here, so if you want a mid size or mini suv, you will pay 150-180 OMR per month. Compact cars generally around 125, unless you can put a good deposit down. (Most dealerships want about 1000 OMR down, but some can do it with 0 down.)
So let me break this down: If you are making 700.
-200 OMR for housing, (including utilities)
-160 OMR for car
You are already at 360 OMR. With only 340 leftover. Take out about 30 OMR for internet, and for a family about 70-80 OMR for groceries for a family (food is hella cheap here) That leaves only about 250-260 OMR for childcare, gas, etc and other expenses. And I'm sure you want to take the occasional vacation, or eat out at a nice restaurant every now and then. Again for a single person, or even a couple this is doable, for but for a family of 4? NO.
Muscat is extremely affordable. However, for those of you who want to bring your families, please think twice unless you are making a decent amount.
@Mohammed 1200 OMR including housing, etc is good. You can work with that, it is doable.