Best Gulf state for families?
Nov 15th 2007, 9:42 pm
#32
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 13
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
well looks like we will be coming over in January to live 
Nov 17th 2007, 9:15 am
#33
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 27
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
Just read your post and I only have one piece of piece of advice - don't go to Doha.
It is the most boring place - I know you said you wanted the quiet life but there is quiet and there is quiet. Schools have waiting lists as long as your arm and unless housing is included in your package you better have a whopping salary as housing prices are through the roof there and still rising. My kids were bored rigid as there was nothing to do.
Food prices are rising by the week and everything seems to be so much more expensive than anywhere else, oh and the driving is horrendous, really scary stuff.
We left a few months ago and couldn't wait to get to the airport.
It is the most boring place - I know you said you wanted the quiet life but there is quiet and there is quiet. Schools have waiting lists as long as your arm and unless housing is included in your package you better have a whopping salary as housing prices are through the roof there and still rising. My kids were bored rigid as there was nothing to do.
Food prices are rising by the week and everything seems to be so much more expensive than anywhere else, oh and the driving is horrendous, really scary stuff.
We left a few months ago and couldn't wait to get to the airport.
Nov 27th 2007, 7:34 am
#34
Just Joined
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
I would defiantly recommend Bahrain without a doubt for the following reasons:
•St Christopher’s School – reviewed by the Guardian as the 8th best British Curriculum international school
•Working Hours – You can usually be home between 3 and 4 in the afternoon nice hour round the pool in that case
•Tax Free earnings – It is true that Saudi Pay around 10% more but that is because it is considered to be a hardship place. However by living in Bahrain you can have the best of both worlds by commuting to work in Khobar (KSA) via the causeway
•Leisure – Bahrain has pubs, clubs, restaurants and sporting & leisure facilities. I do realise that this is what you wanted to avoid but I should point out that these facilities are easy areas to keep away from (not sure why?) as they are in designated areas.
•Pork and wine– If you like your English fry ups; this is something that you will not get in KSA, as pork is not allowed, Where as in Bahrain you buy it at your local supermarket (spinneys). You can also enjoy a glass of wine with your meal bought legally from the off-licence.
There is a saying in Bahrain “once you have lived in Bahrain you will long to return 1 day” i now know this to be true, as I left 6 years ago and have now myself started to consider returning.
Hope the information helps
•St Christopher’s School – reviewed by the Guardian as the 8th best British Curriculum international school
•Working Hours – You can usually be home between 3 and 4 in the afternoon nice hour round the pool in that case
•Tax Free earnings – It is true that Saudi Pay around 10% more but that is because it is considered to be a hardship place. However by living in Bahrain you can have the best of both worlds by commuting to work in Khobar (KSA) via the causeway
•Leisure – Bahrain has pubs, clubs, restaurants and sporting & leisure facilities. I do realise that this is what you wanted to avoid but I should point out that these facilities are easy areas to keep away from (not sure why?) as they are in designated areas.
•Pork and wine– If you like your English fry ups; this is something that you will not get in KSA, as pork is not allowed, Where as in Bahrain you buy it at your local supermarket (spinneys). You can also enjoy a glass of wine with your meal bought legally from the off-licence.
There is a saying in Bahrain “once you have lived in Bahrain you will long to return 1 day” i now know this to be true, as I left 6 years ago and have now myself started to consider returning.
Hope the information helps
Nov 27th 2007, 7:42 am
#35
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
Kuwait is a good place to live because:
Driving is ok.
You get time for others
Pay has the hardship element
Accn is cheap
Petrol at 9p per litre.
Shops
Small
Beaches
Easy to pick up another job.
No booze though but if you want it is easy to get away to DXB / Bahrain, Baghdad.
Driving is ok.
You get time for others
Pay has the hardship element
Accn is cheap
Petrol at 9p per litre.
Shops
Small
Beaches
Easy to pick up another job.
No booze though but if you want it is easy to get away to DXB / Bahrain, Baghdad.
Nov 27th 2007, 7:53 am
#36
Camel Spotting
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait
Posts: 99
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
Kuwait is a good place to live because:
Driving is ok.
You get time for others
Pay has the hardship element
Accn is cheap
Petrol at 9p per litre.
Shops
Small
Beaches
Easy to pick up another job.
No booze though but if you want it is easy to get away to DXB / Bahrain, Baghdad.
Driving is ok.
You get time for others
Pay has the hardship element
Accn is cheap
Petrol at 9p per litre.
Shops
Small
Beaches
Easy to pick up another job.
No booze though but if you want it is easy to get away to DXB / Bahrain, Baghdad.
Nov 27th 2007, 9:48 am
#37
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
I don't know about the schools and the jury may still be out. They are certainly acceptable but the curriculum alone will not provide education. You need to shell out a lot for sports, music, smoking and stuff like that.
By the way they are British Schools - not English and they have an unrepresentatively high proportion of Scottish teachers.
You are spoilt for choice because the American schools are not bad and if you can get them in to it the French school is shit hot. (Merde Chaud?)
By the way they are British Schools - not English and they have an unrepresentatively high proportion of Scottish teachers.
You are spoilt for choice because the American schools are not bad and if you can get them in to it the French school is shit hot. (Merde Chaud?)
Nov 27th 2007, 9:53 am
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
I don't know about the schools and the jury may still be out. They are certainly acceptable but the curriculum alone will not provide education. You need to shell out a lot for sports, music, smoking and stuff like that.
By the way they are British Schools - not English and they have an unrepresentatively high proportion of Scottish teachers.
You are spoilt for choice because the American schools are not bad and if you can get them in to it the French school is shit hot. (Merde Chaud?)
By the way they are British Schools - not English and they have an unrepresentatively high proportion of Scottish teachers.
You are spoilt for choice because the American schools are not bad and if you can get them in to it the French school is shit hot. (Merde Chaud?)
Nov 27th 2007, 9:55 am
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 2,675
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
Just read your post and I only have one piece of piece of advice - don't go to Doha.
It is the most boring place - I know you said you wanted the quiet life but there is quiet and there is quiet. Schools have waiting lists as long as your arm and unless housing is included in your package you better have a whopping salary as housing prices are through the roof there and still rising. My kids were bored rigid as there was nothing to do.
Food prices are rising by the week and everything seems to be so much more expensive than anywhere else, oh and the driving is horrendous, really scary stuff.
We left a few months ago and couldn't wait to get to the airport.
It is the most boring place - I know you said you wanted the quiet life but there is quiet and there is quiet. Schools have waiting lists as long as your arm and unless housing is included in your package you better have a whopping salary as housing prices are through the roof there and still rising. My kids were bored rigid as there was nothing to do.
Food prices are rising by the week and everything seems to be so much more expensive than anywhere else, oh and the driving is horrendous, really scary stuff.
We left a few months ago and couldn't wait to get to the airport.
DO NOT COME HERE !
Nov 27th 2007, 3:30 pm
#40
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
They teach the English syllabus in Pakistan too or so I hear - or at least make up!Its not the F point though is it. They certainly teach a mixed bunch of pupils but I'm sure that is the same as everywhere in the ME. Now you want them to hand out English passports as well as extacy tabs...
Nov 27th 2007, 3:33 pm
#41
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
No - they only teach Scottish syllabus - in gaelic. They teach the English syllabus in Pakistan too or so I hear - or at least make up!
Its not the F point though is it. They certainly teach a mixed bunch of pupils but I'm sure that is the same as everywhere in the ME. Now you want them to hand out English passports as well as extacy tabs...
They teach the English syllabus in Pakistan too or so I hear - or at least make up!Its not the F point though is it. They certainly teach a mixed bunch of pupils but I'm sure that is the same as everywhere in the ME. Now you want them to hand out English passports as well as extacy tabs...
Nov 27th 2007, 5:59 pm
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bahrain
Posts: 183
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
Thank you for your helpful comments. You mentioned the Abaya requirement (everything else is fine with us), but is it required even inside the expat compounds? Also, my understanding is that a non-muslim woman doesn't need a head-covering in public, is that correct?
Also, could you please develop further on why you believe that Bahrain is a "family-friendly place"?
From what I hear, the place is awash with drunken revellers, hookers, drugs, rowdy Saudis drivers and nightclubs blaring loud music all night (i.e. exactly the kind of environment that we're trying to avoid). Exactly why did this country acquire a reputation for being family friendly? I ask this only in the nature of seeking information. It's very difficult to get an overall picture of a country simply by reading a few anecdotes from one or two people and I'd love to get my assumptions properly scrutinized and challenged by the folks here.
Also, could you please develop further on why you believe that Bahrain is a "family-friendly place"?
From what I hear, the place is awash with drunken revellers, hookers, drugs, rowdy Saudis drivers and nightclubs blaring loud music all night (i.e. exactly the kind of environment that we're trying to avoid). Exactly why did this country acquire a reputation for being family friendly? I ask this only in the nature of seeking information. It's very difficult to get an overall picture of a country simply by reading a few anecdotes from one or two people and I'd love to get my assumptions properly scrutinized and challenged by the folks here.
Bahrain is not at all as you stated,however, there are certain areas that are rather unpleasant. Dubai has been worse in the past.
Bahrain is a great place matey.
To be honest, most people do not have the luxury of choosing where they take a working position. If you do have then great. Overall, I think Bahrain is a great place for kids. I do not like Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh are fine although movement is a little more restrictd than before and the compounds are covered with barbed wire fences, machine gun posts army etc etc. Outside women should wear the ninja kit although the best policy is to have a headscarf around the neck for swift covering when an official muttawah comes around and says to the husband ' tell your wife to cover head, please'
Otherwise, Saudi is not such a bad place and as someone mentioned you cab save loads of money - you have to make your own entertainment, you see!
Oh, and don't forget, women cannot drive. ( I was going to say not such a bad thing but thought better of it ! haha )
Kuwait is better, women can drive, and wear shorts, They allow Xmas to be celebrated ( unlike Saudi ) no alchohol ( just like Saudi but you make your own and drink Sid ) but here you drink Ethanol ( E and T anyone ? seriously ! )
Qatar is a strange place - not sure where it actually lies - a bit between Saudi and Bahrain i think.
AD is a great place - love it ( Dubai also, of course ! )
Oman is getting there but not as many opportunities - great place though.
Sorry, a long post but why not visit and find out for yourself if possible ?
Nov 28th 2007, 9:14 am
#44
Banned
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Kuwait - Sringboard to Djibouti
Posts: 305
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
[QUOTE=B.Geezer;5606989]Hi,
Kuwait is better, women can drive, and wear shorts,
Be careful, women don't wear shorts but can and do wear bikinis on the beach and they are allowed to drive.
Neither men nor woman actually can drive though in the technical sense.
Good analysis though.
Kuwait is better, women can drive, and wear shorts,
Be careful, women don't wear shorts but can and do wear bikinis on the beach and they are allowed to drive.
Neither men nor woman actually can drive though in the technical sense.
Good analysis though.
Nov 28th 2007, 9:19 am
#45
hmmmm...nice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 27,923
Re: Best Gulf state for families?
[QUOTE=Dago;5609386]
women in shorts...not really a thing you want to see now...