Anyone lived in Saudi?

[grey12]

DH is struggling a little to find a job in this current climate and there is an option to go to Saudi.

I don't dislike the idea, let's be honest.

I just want to know your experience, your suggestions.

There is also the possibility of him working in a more remote location and me living by myself with the kids (young, under 6) during the week in either Medina, Riyadh or Jeddah.

Anything you can tell me would be a huge help places you liked, where best to live, how to do things, how you felt, is it safe?

Thank you!

I did as a child. From a child’s point of view it was by far the best years of my childhood. I miss it so much and wish I could go back to that time. It’s change a lot since we lived there and is now more modern.

@LadyCatStark thanks for the reply

What about it did you enjoy so much?

I lived in Qatar before and it was fantastic, but is different to Saudi.

Hummmm Riyadh seems far from DHs work...... oh fun

There's a town called Yanbu!!

My husband works in Saudi and will be doing for the foreseeable. He works in s specialised field and is based in Riyadh but also has spells in the Red Sea Coast. I've chosen to stay in the UK as I work and we are having renovations. We make it work and the salary is very beneficial. I planned to go over three times a year and he comes home three times but Covid has made it tricky. However restrictions are easing and I am hoping to go over in October for a visit He is really enjoying the experience.

@grey12

There's a town called Yanbu!!

Haha yes I noticed that when we watched the Dakar!

I just loved the freedom of living on a compound. That sounds mad as we were behind walls with barbed wire on top and armed guards that checked your car for bombs when you drove on but once you were on, everyone was looking out for kids so we could all play out together as one big happy expat family 😂. I loved swimming every single day and the weather. I VE never quite acclimatised back to English weather! I loved attending an international school and not wearing a uniform and I loved all the American things that we got there that you couldn’t get here in those days. I just loved that it was an adventure and different and something to always remember.

There was a long post about living in Saudi on AMA.

I live in Saudi Arabia. AMA! www.mumsnet.com/Talk/AMA/3312838-I-live-in-Saudi-Arabia-AMA

@MirandaMarple

There was a long post about living in Saudi on AMA.

I'll search for it! Thanks!

I did several years ago- it was just expat life on a compound and I enjoyed it well enough. Tax free salary is nice too. We've been posted to lots of other places since which I like more but Saudi was fine, I would go if I were you especially if your kids are young.

Saudi is great for young families on compounds, great community spirit, everyone looking out for each other's kids, generally.

Contrary to what NotPersephone says, you don't have to live on a compound and it'll be cheaper if you don't, but it's easy to live on one with all the associated facilities.

I live here full time if you want to PM me OP (and I've been to Yanbu)

Before you move, make sure the schools are back open! They were closed for covid for ages. I know a number of families where the mother has moved back with the children and the father has stayed out there because it got ridiculous.

Are you Muslim? If not, you should probably stay clear of Medina as the city is supposed to be for Muslims only like Mecca.

Hi.

I wonder what you decided to do in the end. I myself have just move out here to yanbu, with my husband and 4 young children.
It is a total culture change not so much shock. I'm currently in the settling phase and it's great somedays and other I want to go home.
But I'm persevering to give it a proper shot.

You have to try it to know for sure.

I hope things worked out either way x