1967tazz

Hi all, I have a problem that I am hoping you can help me with. I am a secondary teacher and as such am wanting to take my first job overseas this September. I have the fortunate position of being offered two jobs! One in Jeddah in SA, while the other is in Putrajaya, Malaysia. As you are all 'experts' in one form or another in the ways of SA the Jeddah position is at the Jeddah Knowledge School. Both offering similar salaries etc, except that JKS includes accommodation at Sharbatly Village, while Malaysia school give me an allowance and a contact at a local estate agent! So single male, (no family coming with me) which would you go for? O, and why? Thanks all.

Jim Smith

I am not a teacher, but having been to both places I would say there is no contest.....................Malaysia.

Saudi is the worst place I have worked in! But if you want to save as much money as you can, then SA is the place!

flares

Malaysia. No brainer.

Putrajaya is a blandish new town which has govt in but it is near enough to KL.

Spent the day in Jeddah today and am not a fan at all of the place. at all.

5herry

Hi.

I've not been to Jeddah but lived in Putrajaya for 6 months in 2005 and think Malaysia's an amazing place.

Highly recommend it- recently built PJaya & it's only 40mins from KL so you're close to the main action as well.

S.

nottmbantam

Well, I'm not a teacher either, and I also haven't been to Malaysia, but did live in Jeddah for nearly two years. I did know a couple of people on Sharbatly Village, and it had a pretty good social life, and as a single male, provided you're outgoing enough, you should see enough 'action' on that compound.

But Saudi is a pretty restrictive place to live, and even with Jeddah generally recognised as the most 'liberal' city, it still has plenty of limitations. I did much prefer it to Riyadh, but that isn't really saying much. I did come across plenty of singles and couples who had lived in Saudi for many years and loved it. Jeddah as you will know is on the coast, so has a few water based activities - scuba diving, fishing, snorkelling, it has 'private' beaches a short drive out of town, and if you want a desert experience, that's not too far away either.

Having said all of that, if the money's the same, I'd be pretty tempted by Malaysia, if the housing isn't going to cost you big bucks, then the lifestyle will be a lot freer I imagine.

Good luck

Bahtatboy

Saudi Arabia or Malaysia? Unless you're a devout Muslim (peace be with you), believe that North Korea has a model political system, love sand to the exclusion of pretty much everything else, detest cultural depth and breadth, or think that your mind will be expanded by living somewhere where "freedom" is living in a compound where the natives aren't welcome, I might just gently nudge you in the direction of Malaysia.

weasel central

Unless you are nuts it has to be Malaysia. So ask yourself ..am I nuts?

Meow

Totally.

Malays are pretty friendly people and the food is fabulous. The country is also way more attractive than KSA.

Millhouse

Saudi.

I don't mean that of course, but in the interests of BBC style anti-bias I thought I'd back the outsider.

1967tazz

So, we have erm... no votes for SA! and this from a SA forum... why is that? I get housing, and more cash. As Saudi expats why would you give this up for Malaysia?

flares

A few peeps say this too but I can't see it myself.

I'd only been to north Jeddah and quite nice Andalus area before. Went downtown yesterday. What a shithole. Much prefer Riyadh. Dryer climate (god send in summer evenings), golf courses, embassies, bigger expat network.

On the plus side there's a little Jakata area down by Jeddah ports that looks like it does authentic far eastern hawker stall tuck for the Indonesian Hajjers

weasel central

Because most people are speaking from experience with KSA, I don't know Malaysia but I am judging it on the factor that there can be no place on this earth worse to live than KSA.

Blue Cat

not been to either Country but I will agree with you on that, my husband lived in KSA for years and describes it as a shit hole with Arabs

OriginalSunshine

been to both.

Malaysia hands down. Cheaper cost of living. Many freedoms with some restrictions. Friendly people. Great places to travel to in the region.

scrubbedexpat141

Go for Saudi and post in 6 months that it isn't great.

This lot would LOVE to say "I told you so".