Baghdad life simulator

Baghdad sits along the Tigris River, which divides the city into Rusafa on the east and Karkh on the west. Daily life centers on family gatherings, morning trips to neighborhood bakeries, and university studies or office work. When the daytime heat fades, people fill the parks, riverside cafes, and shopping streets until late at night.

Tariq, 20, starts his semester at the University of Baghdad in Jadriya. You write his name, age, and major into the character box. Tariq sets two life goals: pass his engineering classes and make close friends on campus.

On Sunday morning, Tariq searches the map for a bakery to buy fresh samoon bread before class. At the campus, he talks to a classmate in his own words, and they start a group text thread. On Thursday evening, a house party happening appears on the map in Karrada, and Tariq joins.

On Friday morning, Tariq plans an outing with his new friends. They pick Shabandar Cafe on Al-Mutanabbi Street, walk there on the 3D map, and talk as a group. The day ends with a recap, and his friends remember the outing next week.

The Tigris River splits the city into Rusafa on the eastern bank and Karkh on the western bank. Students often live near the eastern campuses in Jadriya or near Al-Mustansiriya University. Writers and artists spend their Friday mornings around Al-Mutanabbi Street and the historic Qishla gardens.

Families look for quiet residential streets and parks. Al-Adhamiyah offers traditional houses and local bakeries along Omar Bin Abdul Aziz Street. Zayouna gives families wide streets, parks, and clinics along Al-Rubai'i Street.

Newcomers who want modern malls and international cafes often pick Al-Mansour on the western side. People looking for lower housing costs and busy local markets choose outer districts like Al-Dora, Al-Bayaa, or Al-Shaab. You can type any of these neighborhoods into your character prompt to start there.

In real life, living costs vary across Baghdad. Central districts like Al-Mansour, Al-Jadriya, and Karrada are the most expensive. Residential areas like Zayouna and Palestine Street sit in the middle range. Outer districts like Al-Dora and Sadr City offer cheaper housing and lower daily costs.

The local currency is the Iraqi Dinar. Cash dominates daily life at street stalls, markets, and shared Kia minibuses. Larger stores and restaurants also accept bank cards, the national Qi Card, or mobile wallets like ZainCash. People sometimes use US dollars for big purchases.

In Baghdadi culture, friends often insist on paying the whole restaurant bill, a custom called azima. LifeSim does not charge rent or pay a regular salary. Instead, your cash changes directly through the activities you do and the chats you have.

Many residents work in public administration, retail trade, construction, banking, and telecommunications. Big employers include government ministries, mobile operators like Zain Iraq and Asiacell, and banks like the Trade Bank of Iraq. Large hospitals and universities also employ thousands of teachers, doctors, and civil engineers.

Wholesale merchants and shopkeepers run busy markets like Al-Shorja for spices and tea, and Souq Al-Safafeer for copper goods. In the evenings, restaurant staff serve grilled masgouf fish along Abu Nuwas Street beside the river.

In LifeSim, there is no career ladder, job performance score, or work mini-game. You write your job into your character description, such as a pharmacist in Zayouna or a bank clerk. The people in your neighborhood know your role and talk to you about your work.