vhl71

Hi
Thinking of taking up a job in Alkhobar with the option of living in bahrain. Is US$180000 + accom + kids school+medical+car allowance+flights good package?

No idea of what is costs to live in bahrain with family. So any input on this would be of great help

The Dean

a) you'll be fine
b) can I live rent-free in one of your spare rooms please?

vhl71

LOL..
Thanks for your input dean.
I'm still not quite sure about this offer as it is less than what I'm making current in northamerica. But living in different part of the world appeals to me + its tax free. I'm not sure how much money I'll be able to save.

The Dean

You'll save plenty.

The only things on a shopping list in Bahrain these days is beer and tear gas.

norsk

Do you have more than $15,000 left a month after you've paid taxes, rent/mortgage, car payments, your medical insurance and your school fees for the kids? If you do I guess you're one of the lucky ones..

Anyway the money is plenty and based on the situation in Bahrain at the moment like The Dean says you won't be spending a lot of money on stuff other than beer and food so you should be able to save a lot..

Would I move there with my family though? Probably not. Read the other threads discussing Bahrain and you'll quickly see why. I used to live in Bahrain and work in Al Khobar up until the summer last year by the way..

OriginalSunshine

What he says.

That package is one of the best you will get in the region.

Tockalosh

You will of course need a Range Rover when you land. None of your cheap and nasty Chevrolets will do. Feel free to contact me when you land.

vhl71

that's my problem. I do drive a benz and X5 here in northamerica. so the debate is if i were to maintain a similar lifestyle, is it still worth coming there on this pkg? I'm sure the car allowance won't get me a X5!!

norsk

it's pretty standard that car allowance is 10% of monthly basic salary. so based on your numbers quoted you can expect to get a car allowance of $1,500. this should pay for at least one of the two cars you're talking about.

but again let me say again what i said in earlier post. do you have $15,000 left in the bank after you've paid all bills every month in your current job? if you don't then clearly you'll be better off...

vhl71

its pretty much the same numbers with my current job after all my expenses. that's whats causing the dilemma. our lifestyle could be better there with some help with household stuff, kids etc..whereas its not the same here in north america

norsk

in that case i wouldn't consider it if i were you. most people come here to earn more money than they can at home not to experience another culture (besides saudi is a shit-hole of huge dimensions and bahrain is far from stable)..

Millhouse

I am either misreading this or it is a piss take.

Please could you confirm that you are considering moving from north america (and all that it offers) to move to dull, hot and dusty Bahrain to potentially expose your kids to tear gas for (i) basically the same money; and (ii) the added benefit of a cheap maid so the wife doesn't have to clean the shitter?

As much as I dislike much of north america, I would jump at the chance over bahrain.

vhl71

you're reading this correct - money is definitely not a lot higher than what I make here. May be i spend more here.

its not a permanent move - we thought it would be better to live there for a couple of years when the kids are young and move back with some cash in hand.

Its closer to asia - where I originally come from..

Millhouse

Got you.... Life in the gulf isn't cheap for sure.

Can I ask where in Asia? i.e. what colour skin you have? Don't take this the wrong way, but one thing you need to be aware of is the racisim in this part of the world.

Also, are you holding a US passport? Will you actually be tax free?

Ronnie Biggs

I would definitely say that racism is not quite as pronounced here as it is the UAE. There's not so many slaves.

To the OP take a view on Bahrain after the anniversary of the start of the recent troubles (Feb 14th). You'll get a good idea of what's to come. I think given the situation here you'd be better to wait for somewhere else and another opportunity to come along.....