kitkat1

My husband and I are considering a move to Saudi in the coming months but at this stage are still in the infancy of this process. It is looking at this stage if we decide to go that we will accept a position in either the King Faisal Specialist Hospital or King Abdulaziz Medical City. We will both be in management positions. We have three children who will need to be schooled probably at the Brisitish International School if places are available. I have searched everywhere through this forum for information on maids services (lots on Dubai) as well as some after school care for the kids between their finish times and mine. Can anyone please advise if this is a possibility as both myself and my husband will be working. Also what are the expenses involved and any other consideration I need to be aware of in regards to this matter.
One other question is how is the global recession affecting business within the Kingdom? Job security etc.

Thank you all for the great information on this forum. It has already been enormously helpful with questions I have had over the past weeks.

Kitkat1

The Dean

Hello.............

Important thing to establish first, second and third - where will you be living?? Does the hospital provide accomnmodation for employees (and if so, is it adequate for your large family?) or do you have to find your own?

If it is the latter, be aware that most compounds (essential that you live on one) are full and it can be very difficult to find a place.

Let us know that one (as it's FAR more important than which job you choose to accept), and we can go on from there.

Child care, even after school, won't be a problem if you are on a compound - arrangements easily made. Wait for Nic1 to wake up (she'll have been drinking heavily last night as usual, so be patient...) and she will have some good ideas on this.

kitkat1

Thank you for that information. I have been told by the recruitment agency that they will supply accomodation but I will need to clarify where this will be. I will let you know when I have more details.

kitkat1

Nic1

No hangover this morning . . . Some of us have been working But the bar is open again . . . So Saturday mornings are a bit slow!!

Housing is a tricky one as TD says, but not as bad as it was it seems. A friend of ours has just managed to rent 2 villas on Hamra, one on Eid and one on Ranco compounds. But he is here which makes it easier.

When you move into your villa you will be inundated with maids knocking on your door looking for jobs. Not sure about maids agencies out here - will check with the girls at work and get back to you. We employ a lady who has a private visa which is what a lot of people do. You need to ensure they have up-to-date paperwork, iqama, no objection letter from their sponsor, etc. and you should be OK. If you need someone to look after your children make sure you get references that can be followed up. Some of the maids here are truly atrocious and not fit to be left alone looking after a rabbit . . . But there are good ones out there. I'm not aware of any places that offer after-school care - most of the nurseries finish around 1pm. I know some of the hospitals offer creche facilities for the staff - not sure if this will also cover after-school care for older children, but worth checking. Costs for a full time maid vary from 1000sr to 3000sr depending on if they live in or out, if they have their own visa etc.

Places at the younger end of the British School are harder to get apparently than in the older section. So do check with them that the children can get in, otherwise there is an American school and one offering the Australian curriculum.

N

kitkat1

Thanks for all the advice. As yet we are still in the process. I have lived in Kingdom in the past but only as a single and about 10 years ago. My husband works in the audio visual area so he will be the sticking point job wise. Although the recruitment agency seems to think they will be able to sort something out. I am not so sure. I am in the medical industry so not a big problem job wise. Anyway hoping all goes well as we will be on our way sooner or later????????

gannane

Hi,
I got offer too from King Khalid Hospital, willing to move to Riyadh around May 09. No accommodation available from the hospital but housing allowances will be available, any idea how much it cost 3 bed room in decent area (flat or House)? but not in compound. Especially in ad diyarah area where the hospital is located.

Many thanks

The Dean

Any particular reason why you don't want to live on a compound?

gannane

I can't afford, the housing allowance offered is around SR 40000.

still.unsure

ouch! i would seriously reconsider the package as a whole if that's the housing allowance they give. Though it's enough to rent a villa (and a huge empty one at that) off -compound, the fringe benefits of compound life in the first few months (and probably year, haven't been here long enough) are pretty important socially and just 'surviving' the lifestyle changes.