Living in Saudi Arabia

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Husband has been approached about a job in Saudi. Financial it is a very good opportunity and for our family it feels like the right thing to do.
Can any one who has lived there give me any feedback?
Thanks 😊

But they don’t have children so I am not sure what the schools are like.

“Two Fat Expats” is a Facebook group that’s linked to a podcast of the same name. Worth asking in there or searching it. I’ve not been myself, know a number of people who have lived there. Some loved it, some hated it, depends on what lifestyle you enjoy.

You will get a massive amount of hate on MN for asking the question.
Yes, there is alot wrong on KSA. There is masses and masses that can be improved. And if you are on the wrong side of a decision, you are in A LOT of trouble.
However, it also has a lot going for it.
It is a beautiful place (once outside the city!), the Saudis I met are some of the most generous, kind hearted people I've come across.
Companies are usually incredibly family friendly, short work hours, minimal overtime.
Ignore the "can't leave without employes pemission" - yes, you need a visa to leave, but we just bought 12 month multiexit visas and came and went as desired.
I never had to cover my face, and only covered my hair when going into a mosque. I did wear an Abaya, but they were disappearing when I left - although it made getting dressed to go out very easy!!!
Life was OK. There wasn't much going on unless you created a social life. We used to binge museums, aquariums, shopping when we flew out of the middle east. With primary kids and younger it was pretty good. With older kids I think they would really start feeling the restrictions.

Two fat expats on FB is a good shout.
As is Suzie Blue Abaya.

Feel free to DM me.

I have lived in the Middle East, though not Saudi. One of the important things for me would be what support DH’s company provides for the ‘trailing spouse’ ; what the living conditions would be, leave etc. If it’s Oil & Gas, living in the compounds , especially within Al Khobar, you will be protected and it is do-able to visit Bahrain on a regular basis .

My DH has worked in Saudi for two years. I'm still based in the UK but hoping to make the move this year. Take away any preconceptions of the place. We've made a good life for ourselves and given the state of the UK at the moments DH isn't in a rush to come back

I have a friend working in a school in Jeddah who is happy there. Lots of families live in the UAE while the DH does FIFO to KSA - is that an option?

No that would not be an option.

I live and work in Riyadh. I had visited before many years ago and have lived in several other gulf nations .I have to admit was dreading moving here but it has all been surprisingly easy and as people have mentioned before, locals are so welcoming. Its a place of rapid change and I most definitely feel safer here than many places in the UK.