Trailing_Hubby

No, straight into NC1. Don't know what timeline you heard on the 2 beds. A load opened up a couple of months ago when the school started, and there are some coming online this month and in the New Year.

mm23

I heard that the 2 bed units are allocated as they come available to people in the waiting list. But no one seem to be able to give me a straight answer as to how long this waiting list is. I have asked the question again this morning to another person. Let's see what comes.

I would love to know about pet transportation too as we have a little dog. The usual pet transport companies out of Australia dont seem to cover KSA...

Trailing_Hubby

I don't have a pet but I'm in the WhatsApp group. They recommend expatlogistics.com who work within ME and partner with petrelocation.com

Codger81

Sliding in here as I've recently accepted a direct-hire offer, and as I'm single I'll be in NC2 as well. From the information and social media, I have a good idea of what to expect. Expectations are well truly managed that it could take a year or more, to get something larger and nicer either newly built, in NC2 or NC1.

Question for those in the know: are the pools in NC2 both cooled and heated?

Farhan28

I don't think they will be in NC2.

Have you been told by onboarding team how long you'll be at NC2? When are you heading out?

Codger81

Not yet clear when I'm heading out, but really anytime after Christmas. I could realistically expect a year in NC2.

I've lived in worse, so it honestly doesn't bother me that much, as long as the food is decent and the internet fast.

Saff_Parker

I moved into a two-bed in Sept 2021.
I can see a whole bunch of brand new two beds and what seem like hundreds of one-beds from my window. The construction goes on all day and until very late at night.
Some 2beds and 1beds will be ready in a couple weeks. More will be ready in the coming months. Staggered delivery dates.

Saff_Parker

Don't know about the pools but good on you for managing expectations.

Saff_Parker

If you're working at NC1, you'll be having lunch and possibly dinner there before you head back to NC2. Food at NC1 is really quite good, bearing in mind though I am not a fussy eater. I'd liken it to a 4 star buffet at a Dubai hotel. On some days, touching on 5 star (when they serve lobster!). If you reach NC1 well before work begins, you'll have breakfast there too.
I've heard that food at NC2 isn't as good but what that means, I'm not too sure. Maybe they don't serve as much meat or fancy fruits or the plates aren't as pretty.
Personally, as long as someone else is doing the cooking, I'm happy!

Farhan28

That's useful and good to know! Were you in NC2 for a period of time also? What is there to do outside of the camp? I've seen pictures of things being built by the beach for leisure and casual socialising activities?

Codger81

I had an onboarding call today and I was told to expect a one-bed unit in the expanded NC1 by the end of 2022.

I'm not that fussy an eater although I have my moments. As someone that had most of their stomach removed, I quickly lost interest in Friday Brunches. And on that note, we may have to hold a moment's silence for UAE Friday Brunches.

Saff_Parker

That is a realistic timeline.
I've noticed that there have been several diggers out clearing a large area of desert next to our houses in the past week or two.
Looks like the beginning of what may end up being your new home end 2022.
Are you in the UAE right now?

Codger81

Indeed. I should add for the benefit of other posters, the expectation was that everyone would to NC1. Staggered obviously based on availability, needs, and seniority. As someone on my own, I expect to be near the end.

Missed your question. In the UK right now, but spent 20 years in the Gulf already, both high school and then working. The Magic Kingdom isn't new to me, but I've never been beyond the big smoke of RUH.

Saff_Parker

No, never lived in NC2.
Outside the camp - the beach and hiking in the mountains. The beaches are practically virgin land so it's a special time to visit. Who knows what it will look like in a decade or two. The water is wonderful and so is the snorkelling. No frills, just beautiful nature.
If nature isn't your thing you can drive out to Tabuk (2hrs from Neom) which is a very small city with I think two malls, both of which are small and only have a handful of stores that you'd have in the UK or US. You can see the store listings on the mall websites. Nothing special though and it's quite a trek just to see a mall.
There are a couple of smaller towns closer by but there is really nothing going on at all unless you do like to drive around and appreciate desert nature. What activities you manage outside the camp depend on whether you have children or not. If you have very young children then hiking would be tough and so would a 2 hour drive to Tabuk (and another 2 hours back). The beach is good though. In NC1 many of the singles or childless couples seem to fly off for long weekends or drive to Aqaba in Jordan which is very accessible. The families have less flexibility but have fun and there is generally a nice social atmosphere.

Saff_Parker

That's great. You'll fit in just fine then and are no stranger to adapting. Fellow Gulf expat brat here It's like a large expat compound here at the moment but with many many locals and all the offices in full view. Personally, I like it a lot here.
There are several Westerners here who are abroad for the first time and it seems slightly harder for them, especially because of the alcohol rules.