Riyadh

[jomidmum]

Looks like we are going to riyadh for 2 years, with husbands job. He will go next month and (visa and accommodation pending) myself and children will join him either September or November.
Any advice re compound accommodation or other info or tips greatly appreciated. Accommodation budget is 170,000 SAR.
Also, does anyone know of any dance classes for DD (she's grade 3 ballet and modern) for ex-pat children in riyadh.
Thanks.

Sorry to be the bearer of doom but I couldn't even contemplate moving somewhere like that at this moment in time with all the trouble with Isis and how extremist that area is. Especially as a woman I would not want to live there and would certainly not want my dd there.

Actually I wasn't after the opinion of a stranger, with their view on our plans. I am looking for specific advice from people who have been there.

Thanks anyway.

I'm sorry my advice isn't what you were looking for but I used to volunteer with a women's aid charity that had a lot of contact with that part of the world and it's problems, and we used to help a lot of women leave difficult situations there and help with custody battles. It's very, very difficult if things ever break down or if you come into problems.

I hope all goes well for you but I'd do a lot of research into the legalities of women's rights before making any decisions.

use the search archive and look for posts by desertmum in the last 2 years. It should bring up most discussions on SA/ME.
There was one only recently ( 2-3 months ago) about Riadh. You can then go on to PM the posters for specifics if they allow it? And avoid the distractions here.
There are a few long timers on those threads.

Have a look at the Expat Woman website and forum also. There will be people in the Dubai forum who have lived in Saudi and can offer advice.

Expat Women is good.

Fairylea: It is so annoying when you ask for specific advice about moving to the ME and all you get is a barrage of comments about how awful it will be, women's rights etc. It is highly likely that the OP is aware of these issues and has decided to go anyway. I doubt you are telling her anything she doesn't already know or hasn't considered.

No specific advice, but a vote of solidarity from someone who travels to and within the ME with work. It is different, it is not for everyone, but for some it is an amazing experience and the quality of life for western expats is often luxury we could never afford in the UK!

Hope other's posts have pointed you to some good quality advice, and good luck!

Many thanks for the relevant advice. Much appreciated.

Good luck. We love the ME. Really just ignore all the doomsayers. Expatwoman can help. There is a lot of info there. For sure there will be ballet classes. It's not perfect but then quite frankly I'm not sure I know anywhere that is. So enjoy it for what it is ;-)

Thank you!

Hi, no there at the moment as in UK with kids at college, but DH is still there, and we all lived there for 2 years. My biggest piece of advice would be to ensure you have accommodation on a Western compound sorted out by the company before you go. Decent accommodation is hard to get, and there are usually waiting lists for the more popular compounds - Al Hamra (linked to the British School), Arizona (has a golf course but no gardens), Kingdom, Cordoba and there is a new one near Kingdom Hospital the name of which eludes me just now. Most of the compounds have websites so you can get a feel for what is on offer if you do a search. You could also call them and ask about availability and perhaps set up some viewings for your DH when he arrives. Living on a compound is essential really.
Not sure about dance lessons - but will ask a few people who are still there and see what they say.
Have you been out for a visit ? We got DHs company to get us visit visas so I could go have a look see before we went. It also gave me a chance to view various compounds, but eventually went with the company villa on Kingdom Compound which was fine and we still have for DH and us when we visit.
Hope this helps.

Thanks for your advice desertmum. Much appreciated. His company are flying us out late spring to visit DH and looks at compounds which would be suitable for us. We're looking in east Riyadh because of his work location. Exciting times!

Desertmum and others who helped......we're all sorted......compound secured, flights booked, visas obtained :)
Many thanks again.

exciting! what compound are you going to be on ? when do you fly? It's really hot out there just now - but Ramadan is over so slightly less stressful. Good luck

Hi Desertmum, We visited Riyadh during Ramadan which did throw us in at the deep end!! My DH is saying it's gone up a couple of degrees the past few days.....glad we're going mid sept!
We'll be on ranco. There was another one we preferred but we've been on waiting lists and just needed to secure one when offered.
Very excited!! Which one are you on? PM if you prefer.

The Middle East is an amazing region and don't listen to the doomsayers who rely on google and the daily mail for their views on the world. We've been here for ten tyears and love it.

jo - DH is on Kingdom Compound, I am in UK with kids in Uni having escaped lol - will probably go back at some point, but having battled to get our dogs in last time (when it looked like two would be refused entry) we are not keen to go through all that stress again!
Hope moving plans etc. are going well.

All going well thanks Desert :) Busy packing house up to go into storage!