coffindodger

print off a copy of this lot a guide i burrowed from another forum earlier this year.
a listing of the compounds. Not all of them but a decent chunk of them

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Saudi_Accommodation

Sean_f

Thanks everyone I am going to keep plugging away at it to find somewhere I want to stay, all been well I will be in KSA this thur in the compound they are providing with its many facilities and I quote " we will convert the security hut into a gym and it has a small pool" what I heard was no security and a tin bath,

see yall soon

still.unsure

about SAR80k for a single on Eid about 6 months go, so figure on 20% more by now.

monkieie

Just thought I'd chip in here too. I spontaneously got offered a telco job for a German company (I live in Germany) in Riyadh and have accepted. Am getting a family package and will bring over the missus later. Am supposed to be flying in the beginning of July, depending on the visa going through on time *InshAllah*

So at the mo I have no idea where exactly I will be staying, but at least my company is supplying the accomodation / car for me

Sidmoe

Hi Scoot,

I congratulate you on this offer of urs, Others might disagree with my being optimistic but the bottom line is WE are in a recession and it sounds pretty darn good to be able to make that kinda moolah when every one else is down and out.

On that note, I am staying in Saudi Arabia myself and looking for work. I have a residence visa and came down here to stay with a relative till I find a job and get used to the scene around here. Currently in Khobar which is on the east coast, short drive away from Bahrain. Would be great to hang out some time. Age 27 , recently married missus in America so could use the odd company.

I would really appreciate if u could PM details of this company as I think they might need possibly some more people to work for them - I am an MBA from a Yorkshire University with a couple of years of work exp.
Email me on [email protected] - I could send u a CV or something that u could forward.

Cheers

simonj1964

Hi,

Just joined the forum as I am quite for down the road with getting a job in Riyadh. Looking at what people have said on here and the Live in Saudi thread has answered a lot of questions. What I have nto been able to see is what is it like for kids. Ours are 5 and 8 and I was wondering what sort of life they would have if we go for it. Are they many people with children out there, how do they like it, is life all on compound, and do the kids like it!

any help apprecited

thanks

Sidmoe

Hi Simonj1964,

Well I grew up in Saudi Arabia and been all over the place so if I walk back memory lane while growing up its not too bad here. Compound life is all about socialising with the neighbours, playing ball in the backyard, BBQ's,Ladies night, Informal sporting events, Arts and Craft etc. Kids usually keep bz doing a whole lot of activities at home and around home whilst Schools like Dhahran Academy and Rahima Academy or other top notch International Schools (Limited options) where kids of other fellow western people come to study provides much scope for intercultural friendships which I really enjoyed growing up. Back home I wouldnt have met people from all over the world so school was always different and interesting.

It really depends on ur kids, If they like music I am sure they could find a couple of kids who like music too or softball or what ever they might fancy.

Loads of shopping malls around so no worries, To sum it up kids really these days are into gaming & consoles so I sure they would get into the groove of things.

Good luck

Nic1

There is, at the end of the day, no getting away from the fact that life in Saudi is limited, which is why the salaries are still higher than other Gulf countries -they have to be to get people to stay. Children who have been out here a long time have no road sense, no common sense and no street sense. I would say anything after 10-12 years old and you need to get the kids out. Compound living is not 'normal' by any stretch of the imagination - we go to Dubai to get a relaity check - what kind of a joke is that ? If you have a chlid who is gifted/talented in anything this is not the place to be, if you have a child who has learning difficulties, serious health issues this is also not the place to be.

How your wife gets on depends on what type of person she is - if she's into coffee mornings, arts and crafts, bingo, golf, shopping she'll be fine. Some people love it, Some find it great fun, others find it incredibly boring. Not being able to drive is to me a HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE f****** pain in the arse. Unless you have a private driver you are always at the mercy of the compound driver or tame driver you find to run you around the majority of whom can't drive properly anyway (think driving the wrong way down a road 'because it's quicker madam' or going through traffic lights when they are on red 'it's OK madam nothing was coming the other way)

If the package is seriously (and I mean seriously) better than you are currently on go for it for a couple of years - you can make extremely good money out here and it can be worth a few years crap to set yourselves up. If however the money and package aren't particularly great and you have a job wherever you are now and kids are settled and happy and wife is working/happy etc. I'd say stay where you are. It is only worth being here if you can save, save, save and still live well, afford to escape every school holiday etc.

Anyway, them's my thoughts - sure others will have idffering views.

Good luck whatever you decide
N

Dulge

Finally arrived to Riyadh on Monday and staying in a hotel...already Thursday and start getting little bit bored to be honest...

had a pleasure of seeing Kingdom Tower and Mall today...nothing exciting but does the job...

still looking for a place where I could buy some groceries, maybe some bread, crisps, fruit etc any suggestions...

also would appreciate your advise on which malls are big and best ones, plus some decent places to eat...

hope to meet you some of you in a bbq or sowt...

Nic1

Welcome to the Kingdom. You cuold try Tamimis for grocery shopping or Carrefour - Tamimi's is at Sahara/Hyatt malls and Carrefour is at Mall on 5, and other malls whose names escape me. Sorry not much help.

Hope you enjoy your time here and a BE night out allows you to meet upwith people. We leave on Sunday so can;t help there. It's a bit quiet here now as everyone leaves for the summer. But there a few other Riyadhites on here who should post soon, inshallah.

N

Dulge

thanks Nic...much useful info...looking forward to meet up new people as I dunno what to do once Wimbledon finishes on Sunday