VenExpat

Well... I have plenty of doubts... I know that the alcohol is strictly prohibited in the KSA, but what It's suposed to be the role of the police if they catch somebody drinking a pint?... They really chase the people who illegaly sell/buy alcohol?

nonthaburi

What do you mean by molested though ?

Physically or just some guy trying to chat them up ?

Beakersful

Physically

Yes! For religious reasons. You'll also find that there are those amongst your fellow countrymen, who identify by putting their religion before "British", will grass you up if they so much as hear about anything happening of the sort on KSA soil.

VenExpat

I have reading some blogs and the blogers says that can drinks as much as they want in the compounds.

VenExpat

** Duplicated... again **

nonthaburi

Physically molested everytime they go out !! Sounds a bit extreme. Where are they and where are they going out ?
It's not like there's that many places to go . Apart from the mall , supermarket , restaurant ect where can you go ?
What are the mates doing when this happens as well ?

VenExpat

It's a very tough situation... I expect that my wife and kids have a "normal" life while I'm working and for me, it won't pleasant to know that she is chased by men in the street.

dragonladyoz

Which city are you looking at? When I was in Jeddah I never had a problem with that type of harassment, nor have any of the people who were there with me and live there still - a few young guys (late teens/early 20s) that used to hang out their car in shopping centre car parks and ask "Will you marry me" or shout "I love you" and of course the usual open mouthed staring (well leering/ogling really) of any TCN man at anything that resembles a female walking into their field of vision, particularly as a scarf never touched my head in the entire time I was there!

I was never physically assaulted, but then I am white anglo and they don't take quite so many liberties as they do with other nationalities...... or maybe I'm just scary ;P

As for the drink - its on every compound, but it is still illegal. Whilst the authorities can ignore it on the western compounds they will - but if it becomes more "public" then they are sort of forced to act. I think that discretion is the best thing to advise......

VenExpat

Hi Dragonladyoz... many thanks for your comment.

So Far, I will be living Jeddah or King Abdulah Economico City... I was checking some compounds in that area but are quite expensive, the housing allowance is not enough to cover it, so I was recommended live in normal residential area.

This will be my first experience in the Middle East, so, any information I can get, will be very important

VenExpat

Hi Dragonladyoz... many thanks for your comment.

So Far, I will be living Jeddah or King Abdulah Economico City... I was checking some compounds in that area but are quite expensive, the housing allowance is not enough to cover it, so I was recommended live in normal residential area.

This will be my first experience in the Middle East, so, any information I can get, will be very important

dragonladyoz

I felt safe in Jeddah - but I did stick to the main shopping areas, hotels, restaurants when alone. If I went to one of the smaller souks in the city it was always with a female friend.

My driver and the driver of my friend were very good - they knew the areas where there was most likely to be trouble for us and they would simply tell us it wasn't a good idea to go there by ourselves (or not drive us there) telling us that we should come to look at it with our husbands.

VenExpat

Hi Dragonladyoz,

Have you heard anything about King Abdulah Economic City?...Which zones in Jeddah (No compound) do you recommend to live in?

Greystar

VenExpat, Congratulation !!! Did you get any response from AL HOSN Gas. I have sent you PM please read and responsed.

dragonladyoz

Can't really give any advise about that as all my experience is about compounds!

VenExpat

Hi Grey, Al Hosn didn't contact me again. They seem to be a unserious company. So far, I got an opportunity in KSA.

Hi Dragonladyoz... the problem with the compounds is the prices... It's really expensive to rent there and the allowance provided is not enough to pay it, that mean that I would have to take a considerable part of my salary to complete the rent.