Anyone worked in Saudi?

[Changingplace]

I’m soon to be divorced from ‘D’H, no kids.

For various reasons, I’ve got quite a bit of debt, some will be paid off when we sell the house, but I’ve been offered a job in Saudi which would pay over double what I’m on now, with relocation costs and subsidised accommodation.

I do know all the political reasons it’s not necessarily a place I’d choose, and not long term, but I’m considering taking it for 1-2 years, pay off debt, fresh start and then come back to the UK with some money in the bank.

Has anyone got any experience of working out there? I know I’ll need some proper tax advice and to work out how many days I can be in the UK while working there.

Has anyone done similar or know anyone who has?

Where in Saudi? Will you take the kids? Ages?

@ozarina. She doesn't have children. It's in the first line.

I wouldn’t do Saudi as a single woman. I’ll be killed on here for suggesting these, but can you get anything in China, Qatar or UAE instead? We’ve recently moved back to China having lived here before, and it’s very safe for women.

I lived in a restrictive (for women) country before OP and it ruins your MH not being able to do loads of stuff, that’s why I’m recommending other countries that often have jobs listed with similar relocation packages/similarly easy to get in my industry in case your industry has similar roles in those places too.

I don’t have kids, the job is in Riyadh.

Yeah this is what I’m concerned about, no this particular job doesn’t have other locations, I could investigate other options though.

In some perverse way it feels like although it’s a country who’s rules I don’t agree with whatsoever that I’d be getting a small raise over them because doing it for a short stint would actually reset my independence financially in the long run.

Well what is the accommodation - is it eg attached to a hospital where there are lots of expat workers. Is it a bug multinational company?
It may have changed but you could go about in long sleeved clothes in the past. Can you use taxis - go on one of the expat websites
https://britishexpats.com/forum/

You are at crossroads.

Riyadh is quite advanced with a large expat community.

you have a plan for 2 to 3 years to clear debts and come out of a marriage, it will be absolutely fine.

My friend does. She and her partner live together in a villa with a pool and most weekends she crosses into Bahrain for shopping/socialising etc. Huge salary allows them to fly all over the place on fabulous holidays. Social media posts suggest she’s having the absolute time of her life. I have children so wouldn’t work there - don’t think it would be fair on them, but in your position I would do it in a heartbeat.

Hi i live in riyadh as a single woman. Ive been here 10 months. I love it. I havent experienced any restrictions being a woman here. The people are very welcoming and lovely. You dont need to cover your hair or wear an abaya, though you need to cover shoulders and knees in public. The country has changed so much in a short space of time. Speak to people who have lived there more recently. I want to stay here as long as i can. Ive worked in a number of countries in the middle east and saudi is up there as my favourite

Saudis are extremely friendly and kind. The country has changed enormously in the last decade. You can travel easily to places like Oman, India, Georgia. I guess what have you got to lose? You can always come home. There is a terrible human rights issue but millions of people work in the Gulf (no one have a go at me for saying that! I know more than most about political repression and human rights issues in the GCC states and wouldn’t live there myself but millions of people choose to work there).

I have a friend who works there and he says it’s changed drastically in just a few years, women no longer have to cover up (no shorts though) and women can drive. For a time limited period if you can accept the restrictions (no alcohol, no open dating, very careful around anything to do with Islam or other religions, website restrictions) then I can see why you would want to. It’s not particularly unsafe either I just personally don’t accept that women are not considered equal

I just personally don’t accept that women are not considered equal

Neither do I at all, which makes it kind of ironic that it’s place where I could potentially reset myself financially as a single woman!

Lots of single and married women are coming to Riyadh to work. I have enjoyed living and working here. I drive, socialise with women of all nationalities and have met some amazing people. Financially I can now afford to retire early and have helped my kids on the property ladder.
I would continue to pay into UK pensions for the future.

The Saudis I live alongside are funny and hospitable. They are great people who are proud of their country. You won’t regret giving it a go.

I've not worked there, but have lived there, and know several single women who have worked there.

You say subsided accomadation. Is that provided by work ie a compound associated with, and ideally integrated into, the work location??

From Riyadh there will be no "popping" to Bahrain, as a PP says her friend does - presumably from Al Khobar/Dhahran. It will be a flight to get out of kingdom if you want to reset at a weekend.

I wouldn't dismiss it. I would only do it with compound living, and I would carefully check the cost of this before committing (ours was eyewateringly expensive).

You'll need to stay out of the uk for one full tax year - which can be very close to 2 years if you move out shortly after April 6th, and check links back to the uk for tax purposes - which is more than just days spend in the uk.

Oops

I would say go for it - it's a short time and you get to see another part of the world. Remuneration hopefully will be good. As regards the " women are not equal" the locals do not necessarily consider it as that. We don't like people trying to bring Sharia law into the UK so vice versa. It's a great base for holidays in the Far East . From my time there as a white Western woman there was nothing but respect or . Now my friend who was Pakistani British had a different experience. Bear in mind the Middle East is a very racist place.

Hey! Just wanted to say. I’m from Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 and I actually studied in the UK before. I’m currently attending a training course here in Glasgow.
I completely understand your concerns, but I can honestly tell you that Saudi Arabia is one of the safest places in the world for women to live and work. Things have changed a lot, and you’d be surprised how comfortable and modern life is there now.
I’d even bet that you’d really enjoy the experience if you gave it a try!
Don’t believe the negative propaganda. it’s mostly outdated and far from reality.
We are genuinely a very kind, generous, and welcoming people.
I know everyone says that about their country, but honestly. This is truly the case, and you’ll feel it yourself once you experience it.
If you ever need any help or clarification about anything, feel free to reach out to me. I’ll be happy to assist anytime.