I live in Saudi Arabia. AMA!

[Shmithecat]

I still hear so many daft claims about certain aspects of living in KSA. Happy to confirm or deny what you've been told!

HerRoyalNotness
What advice would you give to someone moving there? (Potentially to Jubail)
What would you pack in 500lbs airfreight that would be useful?
I also have always wanted to visit KSA and may have the opportunity. Except DH is dithering and other jobs are proposed to him so who knows?

I honestly wouldn't pack much at all. Clothes, your favourite toiletries and maybe some photos, picture, personal effects. But it will depend on how long you intend to stay, what your accommodation is etc.

HerRoyalNotness
Does his company start with B?

No, not the Bin Laden Group if that's what you were thinking? It's linked to the SANG. Hence the security needs.

No not BLG. It’s an American company.

We’d be there 3yrs min, 5 max, but as it’s a project that’s been ongoing for 40yrs we could stay as long as we can handle it. We get furnished housing. I was thinking of things to make it a bit homely and familiar for the kids, bikes etc..

HerRoyalNotness, ah, yeah, if you've got kids then I would let them take what they pretty much wanted! We're didn't have we when we first moved out here so it was just what we needed.

HerRoyalNotness
Just you, or kids too? Jubail with school aged kids will be tough, and it is a long way to big shopping malls.
Stock up on bras, sun cream, sun hats, swimming stuff, kids books (get a kindle if old enough), Calpol, multivits, tampons (get a menstrual cup!). I buy nearly all my clothes in the UK each summer and bring over. DH is 50:50. I buy much of the kids stuff here. "Traditional" costumes for international day at school, halloween costumes. Craft stuff if you have a hobby. I bring all my shampoo as im very fussy. Kids rwfuse Saudi Colgate toothpaste, so i bring all that over.

X-posts.
Bikes, car seats, Lego, toys.

Look into schooling carefully.

Great thread OP! I travel to Riyadh for a month at a time for work and your experience reflects what I have grown to believe about life in Saudi very well.

thanks for reply. I saw some Saudi women while I was in Malaysia so that explains.

i find the niqab really sinister so I hope there is a choice. a hijab doesnt put up a barriet.

Thanks dunes

We have one in grade 3, grade 6 and infant.

From what I know they’d be going to the American school in Jubail. We’re in the US now and that’s what they know, don’t know if we’d return here after though. I figure we have 3 yrs till oldest is in snr high, when we’d have to think hard about where we live

THanks OP overall, it’s a fascinating time to be there through their movement to opening up to the western world

What are the myths about the SA?

Do you speak Arabic?

Can you visit a doctor on your own?

Do they eat lots of meat over there?

Thanks

What would happen if you wore western clothes outside the compound and not an abaya? Would you get arrested? Would you be allowed to go out by yourself, or do you have to have a male guardian?

Do you speak any Arabic?

Are there lots of different nationalities on the compound?

Do you notice the gap between the rich and poor? Are there homeless people, beggars?

Googling SA I haven't noticed trees. I know it's a desert country but how is it with trees, grass, parks?

Some very cute animals live in that area destinationksa.com/fauna-of-saudi-arabia/

Do you have any moral qualms about supporting a racist, misogynistic, homophobic regime that regularly brutalises it's own citizens and has an appalling human rights record both internally and externally?

By going there and normalising the regime you are by default supporting it.

Moussemoose , with regards to your last question do you think the same about the English football fans who went to watch World Cup recently?

Onecutefox
What are the myths about the SA?

I don't have any myths. Just wanted to know what other people heard.

Do you speak Arabic?

Very few words.

Can you visit a doctor on your own?

Yes! No permissions needed.

Do they eat lots of meat over there?

Yes, lots. Chicken, beef, lamb, veal, camel, rabbit, duck. Brazilian style restaurants are very popular here.

Thanks

You're welcome

Onecutefox
Do you notice the gap between the rich and poor? Are there homeless people, beggars?

Yes, yes, yes. Same as most other countries.

Googling SA I haven't noticed trees. I know it's a desert country but how is it with trees, grass, parks?

Yes. Mainly palm trees and lots of grass. Its weird thick grass which dies if not watered at least once a day but some areas are beautiful. This is a picture of part of the grounds in the compound I live in. The main areas outside are pretty dusty and dry but there are lots of parks where families go in the evenings for picnics etc on the weekend.

Shmithecat, ha-ha, I meant myths like we hear here, like a woman cannot walk outside alone or a woman should cover the head otherwise she would be raped or stoned.
I read your thread and it looks like things are changing for better.

Personally, I have major issues with the KSA in relation to both football and trade. A lot of people in the U.K. do, in the same way I objected to trade with S.A under apartheid.

I know where I stand, I'm just wondering how someone who chooses to live and profit from a country with such extreme human rights abuses sleeps at night.

Are you a Hasher?

Mainly palm trees and lots of grass. Oh, wow, even grass.

GhostsToMonsoon
What would happen if you wore western clothes outside the compound and not an abaya? Would you get arrested?

I think it depends - loose modest clothing, nothing but looks. Mini skirt and crop top? That would rile up a lot of people. Not sure about arrested as the religious police -
Matawa (who's job it was to ensure all that stuff) no longer have powers. I wouldn't chance it tbh. As much as I don't like wearing an abaya much, it doesn't attract any unwanted attention and I don't have the dilemma of what to wear...

Would you be allowed to go out by yourself, or do you have to have a male guardian?

I go out by myself all the time. To the super market. Ikea. Brunch. The airport. Hospital. Playgroup. There's no restrictions at all.

Do you speak any Arabic?

Very little.

Are there lots of different nationalities on the compound?

Yes! Spanish, British, American, Canadian, Morrocan, Lebanese, South African, Columbian, French, Kenyan. Many many more.

Onecutefox, many cute animals! There's even hedgehogs indigenous to KSA. We have them as occasional visitors.