Michaelschade

Hi,

moving to Jeddah next month for a 2 years contract. My employer is putting me up at the Al Aoum Village; anybody knows if its a nice place to live?

Thanks

Michael

Blue Cat

hi Michael, and welcome. I am of no use at all, I have never been to Saudi.

saafar

i'm still in hotels

can u PM hows the place like? coz im bringing the family here by end of year.

Anyway this is what i got from the net


Please please tell me hows the place when you get here...

woody007

Firstly, Jeddah is a dump...
Secondly there are only a few compounds worth living on, Arabian Homes - Sierra compound , Al Basateen Compound, and a couple of small independants. I would suggest that you arrange to stay in a hotel on your arrival and decide yourself where you want to stay, as there is a great chance that your employer will arrange something totally unacceptable to your requirements. Who are you working for out there, i was out there for 4 years, make sure you get plenty of tickets to leave on a regular basis.......
Good luck

Michaelschade

well...I worked in Jeddah before; so I know what to expect. So you have not heard about the Al Aoum Village?

woody007

I havent heard of Al Oum Village, but if you have been in Jeddah previously you will know that Siteen street is not the best location. Choice of villas depends on personal choice, i lived on both large and small compounds, my personal favourite being the smaller compound as large compounds can be like living on a military base....
Do you have kids??? How much do you allowance do you have for a villa???
Cheers.

Woody

Expa_4_Life

I don't know about Al Aoum - but as suggested - get there - stay in a hotel and see for yourself. If you are taking your family then Sharbatly used to be a good bet.

adailami

Hey guys,

I will also be moving to Jeddah by mid August and I will be entitled a one month hotel stay. What apartments and compounds do you suggest?

I'll be working for Unilever in Nahdha Dist after moving from the Bahrain branch.

I will really appreciate all the help and names of buildings and compounds that might be great to live in.

Dutchie

Hi Michael,

I lived in Jeddah a long time ago. I to would advise to book a hotel first. If your employer is half serious he'll understand your concerns. And if you find a compound? Although they are the cheapest, never take the villa just behind the main gate(s), especially not now.

Dutchie

nottmbantam

I'm currently in Riyadh,but relocating to Jeddah. I went for a couple of days to look round the place,and thought it was quite nice.

I'll be on Sierra Village compound, although will only be in a 2 bed apartment, even though I'll be there with my wife and step daughter. Will be on the waiting list to get a 3 bed villa.

The first thing I noticed about Jeddah is the humidity. This is quite a remarked difference to Riyadh, which is of course in land. Maybe I'm just acclimatised to the dry heat of Riyadh? The temp is pretty even all year round. There is prob more to do in Jeddah - shopping is very good,new malls opening up all the time, and one of them has 3 cinema screens by all accounts ( Red Sea Mall )

Due to Jeddah being on the coast, this brings about more activities. As you will have read by now, scuba diving is very popular out in Jeddah, and one of the best places world wide. Sailing and fishing are also popular. I definitely fancy going diving and giving that a try.

As you say you have been in Jeddah before, you will probably know those things anyway. There is a lot of info on the web, so do some reading. I'm hoping to be there late August, but currently in the UK on a well earned break. Fly back into Riyadh then moving out to Jeddah.

I really don't understand people when they answer by describing somewhere as a complete dump. Where's the sensitivity? Surely its better to list the pro's and cons and let the OP make up his own mind, why impose such negativity? It just becomes a waste of time IMHO.

Good luck with the move.

Shadya

We enjoyed compund life in Jeddah very much, but try to avoid the small and modern ones which have less character and less to do. Any of the Arabian Village compunds are okay. Maybe you are being housed in a place occupied by your predecessor. If so, request a months trial with the option to move to a place of your choice thereafter.

Dutchie

Hi Michael,

And once you settle in? It's an absolute crime if you don't try out the Thai and other Asian restaurants in and around Jeddah. Cheap, damn good high quality food as well. Absolutely love the extremely spicy chili soups they offer. Kicks you into the next universe, but WOW....

Dutchie

hoofie2002

I lived in Sharbatly from 91 until 93 then went to live in Binzagr on Madniah Road and Al-Ghadeer St. Even then Sharbatly was a bit of a dump so I hope it's improved by now.