If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
#17
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
If you have no valuable input don't bother!
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 277
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
OK guys, KSA is a heaven, go for it.
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Then why not use your experience to help?
There are a lot of fresh guys heading over there so any assistance is helpful to us!
We are not foolish enough to believe we are going to a paradise. We are there to earn decent money hopefully to set us up for other things - well I know I am!
For example have heard old Jubail is a bit of a dump, but down the road one of the guys was telling me tonight that the new city is a tidy place to live!
There are a lot of fresh guys heading over there so any assistance is helpful to us!
We are not foolish enough to believe we are going to a paradise. We are there to earn decent money hopefully to set us up for other things - well I know I am!
For example have heard old Jubail is a bit of a dump, but down the road one of the guys was telling me tonight that the new city is a tidy place to live!
Last edited by Gtvscott; Jan 29th 2014 at 9:01 pm.
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 277
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Then why not use your experience to help?
There are a lot of fresh guys heading over there so any assistance is helpful to us!
We are not foolish enough to believe we are going to a paradise. We are there to earn decent money hopefully to set us up for other things - well I know I am!
For example have heard old Jubail is a bit of a dump, but down the road one of the guys was telling me tonight that the new city is a tidy place to live!
There are a lot of fresh guys heading over there so any assistance is helpful to us!
We are not foolish enough to believe we are going to a paradise. We are there to earn decent money hopefully to set us up for other things - well I know I am!
For example have heard old Jubail is a bit of a dump, but down the road one of the guys was telling me tonight that the new city is a tidy place to live!
#21
Just Joined
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
That's appreciated thanks!
I've been offshore North Sea so fancied a change from that prison. I am focusing on what's around me as I am definitely not now under any illusions of what awaits!
I am on the Sadara commissioning project so it should be something to get my teeth into and also good for the CV
I've been offshore North Sea so fancied a change from that prison. I am focusing on what's around me as I am definitely not now under any illusions of what awaits!
I am on the Sadara commissioning project so it should be something to get my teeth into and also good for the CV
Last edited by Gtvscott; Jan 29th 2014 at 9:11 pm.
#22
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
But you're not offering advice, just an opinion and not offering to back that opinion up with anything. Along with a lot of other guys I will be moving out to KSA with the Sadara project in the coming months so anything that makes that transition easier is welcomed. Please share your experiences of KSA with us newbies!!
#23
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 43
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi imi7,
Hoping to move to KSA in next few weeks with Sadara. Got a few q's if you have the time.
Mobile phones; are UK fones ok to use or is it cheaper to buy a local sim? Also, are apps like twitter & whatsapp still in use or have they been banned?
Compounds; I know it may vary but are they normally furnished and if so to what extent? Are basics like towels/bedlinen provided?
Thanks in advance,
Andy.
Hoping to move to KSA in next few weeks with Sadara. Got a few q's if you have the time.
Mobile phones; are UK fones ok to use or is it cheaper to buy a local sim? Also, are apps like twitter & whatsapp still in use or have they been banned?
Compounds; I know it may vary but are they normally furnished and if so to what extent? Are basics like towels/bedlinen provided?
Thanks in advance,
Andy.
As has been stated earlier, I would strongly recommend you get a local SIM card, although I know some contractors here have used something called GeoSim that allows you to receive UK calls as if you were in the UK.
I have been on STC PAYG for the last 6 years - word of advice - try not to get a 'contract' phone. I had one with one of 3 operators called Mobily, and had loads of issues with billing that was only sorted as I knew someone on the 'inside'. My PAYG - no issues as I only use it for voice, and when I roam back in the UK it only costs SR 1.2/min (approx 20p) to send/receive calls.
WhatsApp and Twitter very much alive and kicking here- in fact its nowhere near banned as they are very strong Apps with the locals.
Compounds - usually furnished but it depends on how much you are looking to spend. As for bed linen - definitely bring your own .
An interesting fact - a lot of expats are choosing not to stay in over priced compounds but live in the city as its perfectly safe to do so (well, no different from living in London).
Saudi Arabia is what you make of it. Yes it can be frustrating, driving can be a rollercoaster, boredom sets in etc but all in all its a good place to be and more importantly save £££'s. I had travelled all over this region and chose to live here. I know plenty of Brits coming here to work, and there are some that have been here for decades (then again there are ppl who hate the place ).
Hope that helps.
#24
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Thanks for that, just what I needed, good practical advice.
Cheers buddy.
Cheers buddy.
#25
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Long story short...if you are Western and you want something resembling a social life, you have to live on a good compound. End of.
To compare living in London or any other large Western city to living somewhere in a flat in "downtown somewhere" in KSA is...well, how shall I put it politely...
To compare living in London or any other large Western city to living somewhere in a flat in "downtown somewhere" in KSA is...well, how shall I put it politely...
Last edited by Alexa; Jan 31st 2014 at 12:31 pm.
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Good school is expensive. Up to SR60,000 a year per child.Google and you will find lots. Mine went to SAIS in Jeddah - after KG at the Italian School.
Got this by googling. Other schools are cheaper -
http://www.bisr.com.sa/admission/fee-structure.html
Taxis in Riyadh are quite pricey because of distances. Schools very often have buses that will pick up students.
Got this by googling. Other schools are cheaper -
http://www.bisr.com.sa/admission/fee-structure.html
Taxis in Riyadh are quite pricey because of distances. Schools very often have buses that will pick up students.
Last edited by scot47; Jan 31st 2014 at 12:50 pm.
#27
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi,
I am a Qualified CIMA Finance Manager with 5 years experience.
I am looking to move to KSA and would like to know what the salary bracket is for my experience.
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
I am a Qualified CIMA Finance Manager with 5 years experience.
I am looking to move to KSA and would like to know what the salary bracket is for my experience.
Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
#28
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 43
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Long story short...if you are Western and you want something resembling a social life, you have to live on a good compound. End of.
To compare living in London or any other large Western city to living somewhere in a flat in "downtown somewhere" in KSA is...well, how shall I put it politely...
To compare living in London or any other large Western city to living somewhere in a flat in "downtown somewhere" in KSA is...well, how shall I put it politely...
#29
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Anyone know what a good price in Riyadh is for a used 4x4 .. maybe 3/4 years old?. Any experience of buying a car in Saudi?
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4
Re: If you need advice on moving to Saudi Arabia....
Hi Imi7,
Thanks for this thread, very kind of you !!
Some questions from me:
I will be moving to Riyadh from the UK shortly. My sponsor has said that they will put me on a Business Visa. What are the limitations of this type of visa? What challenges am I likely to encounter? Can i easily rent an apartment?
They also intend to put me on 6 monthly rolling contracts. Would it be a good thing to accept this arrangement?
Thanks for this thread, very kind of you !!
Some questions from me:
I will be moving to Riyadh from the UK shortly. My sponsor has said that they will put me on a Business Visa. What are the limitations of this type of visa? What challenges am I likely to encounter? Can i easily rent an apartment?
They also intend to put me on 6 monthly rolling contracts. Would it be a good thing to accept this arrangement?