Anyone with experience of living in Saudi? esp Riyadh...

[hazlinh]

DH may get sent to work there...Not sure what to expect..anyone living there or has lived there in the past? Not sure if me and 3yr old DD shd go with him or stay where we are...much thx in advance..

Small world eh!, it is one of the bigger compounds though. If you would like to get together when you are over my extention at the compound is 2423, or you can email me at [email protected]. My name is Helen.
Do you have any children?

I'm in Qatar which is way more westernised and the only problems I ever encounter here is when Saudi's hop over the border for the weekend and think I'm a hooker (an aged, saggy one). I would not be allowed to work in my field in Saudi so its a no go for us but I can say this - the middle east is an amazing, fascinating, frustrating, bewildering place. It is worth getting a look-see visit before you commit.

The heat is unbelievable in the summer. You may want to think about leaving KSA altogether in July/August. Compund living is good in someways but can also be very claustrophobic.

I'd read everything you can about Saudi before making the decision. It isn't frontier territory anymore but it is a region where anything is possible.

Hi Meowmix

Sorry for hijack

Apologies for not being in touch. We are now on the final stretch, visa done, flights booked, on our way on Sunday! I will be in touch very soon.

Starmummyx

Hazlinh

I'm sure whatever decision you make will be right for you, however we made our decision on the basis if we didnt like it, DH would just get another job and we'd come home. DS is very excited. Hope all goes well whatever you chose.

Oh I was wondering how you were! Good luck with the move!

Hiya. sorry haven't checked this thread in a long time. dh hasn't decided yet. anyway apparently the posting won't be immediate, it will only happen a few months down the line.

am now contemplating singapore!! hoping to get a job offer there....going for the interview on March 15....it's only a one-hour flight as I live in Malaysia, although I've lived in the UK for most of my life.

Does anyone know what sort of package I should get/ask for?

in the meantime, can't wait to do some shopping in Singapore!

Egypt, forgot to thank you for all your info!! I think me and dh might just go for it if i don't get any other offers myself. we're just a bit bored of Malaysia after 6-7 years (and we're both Malaysian!) altho we don't really want to go back to the UK either. The British school in Riyadh also looks good (altho on the website it says it might be full?)

will keep you all updated!

oh and thanks to everyone who responded...thanks for all your time and patience!

It'd be worth ringing the school - they are massively oversubscribed in the ME generally, we had to attend a selection interview for DS's place next year - 36 places and 160 applicants.

Package things to consider

• what is the actual rent cost or is housing included? inflation is rising steadily in the Gulf (and SIngapore by the way) so do your homework before opening negotiations
• flights home - most packages allow for all family 1x year return flights
• medical insurance
• life assurance
• assistance with school fees is often offered
• employer should cover visa costs for whole family (can be substantial)
• transport allowance - bear in mind there is next to no public transport in the Gulf so you're talking cost of a car and in Riyadh also a driver for you.

i'm in singapore now hazlinh! no contest in my opinion!

when i worked at the british school in riyadh, they HAD to take in british passport holders. HAD TO. They opened more classes for them if necessary. are you a bph?

no am not a bph.

so what's good abt singapore then hey? Malaysians absolutely loathe the country. hehe

really?! in comparison to saudi there is no contest. life is easier here than back home. with kids for sure, maids, grocery provisioners, loads for kids to do...

well sure, compared to saudi, i can imagine it being a real paradise...

But you know the love-hate relationship between Malaysia and Singapore..or should I say hate-hate...

Haven't been on here for a while, thought I would have a look today, and here you are looking for me mildmanneredjanitor! Are you about to come over?

Visas have been a nightmare for everyone recently due to a change in the system - just got them sorted for my parents. Weather here is great just now. Today was 35 degrees but not at all humid - just right for a dip in the pool! Hope you get your visa sorted in time and have a good journey out. Give me a shout if you want to meet up.

Hope you have got your passports/visas back now and are ready for your trip - it is getting very hot here now, so don't forget your sun cream! Have a good flight, and hope to see you at the park soon! (ext 2423)

Are you still watching this MildManneredJanitor? Got your email, but then it somehow disappeared off my computer(!) so don't have your address. Hope you had a good time in Jeddah - was nice to meet you and your boys. Please email me again and maybe we can keep in touch.