lafona00
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Location: Teddington + South East of Paris (Fontainebleau)
Posts: 390
 
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| Life in Riyhadh (Saudi Arabia) |
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Dear All,
I have been offered a 4 years contract in Riyhadh with my Pharmaceuticals company.
I do remember seing some members leaving there in Saudi... can they give me any details about their life there?
Apparently I would be expact...
I have a wife and a little daughter (15 months) and another planned in 2 months.
My wife may not work there because she will take care of the litlle ones...
How's life? Is it boring life? Is it too small for having this to do?
Is the wife allowed to live normally?
Is it a secure country? for living?
Apparently there are some "camp" for expact? how is life in those?
Apparently it is tax free there?
Give my as many details as you can.
Thanks so much for your help
Arno Arno
 Disco 3 XS Auto - MY2008 - Leather, heated seats.
 Def 90 - 1993
Freelander 2001 - Died after 210k km (130k miles)
Last edited by lafona00 on Tue Aug 12 2008 4:10pm; edited 1 time in total
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 Thu Jul 03 2008 11:47am |
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ridgeback_moor
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 408
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I was working in Khobar (near Bahrain) recently, and have a friend working in Riyadh. Whether you are tax free or not depends on your contract and employer, but most don't have to pay any tax and that certainly makes it more appealing. You need to be staying in a compound for security and sanity purposes! If you're not in a compound then your wife will find it difficult to go out alone (if not impossible) and life will be pretty boring for her. The driving standards are terrible, and some of the roads not much better. Prayer times cause everything to shut down, so you may have to work around those periods, although not in the compound.
A lot of Saudi (particularly in Khobar area) go to Bahrain regularly, but the causeway is really busy at peak times and you end up waiting ages at the checkpoints. Dubai is not far away though, so that can be worth a visit once in a while. Alcohol is possibly available in the compound, but certainly not available outside.
Even taking pictures in public places is not allowed generally, but you can see from the one I sneaked from my hotel balcony, it's quite nice in places!
So it all depends on the compund you're in , and where you work really. You need to go out there and have a look for yourself before deciding - I'm not sure if I would want to do 4 years though, unless the money was very good!
 | | Click image to enlarge | D3 TDV6 S 2005 - TorqTune, Privacy Glass, Remote FBH, 19" HSE Alloys, Boot liner, retrofit F&R PDC
Defender 90 Truck Cab TD5 2003 - Ifor Williams back, alloys (SWMBO's toy - well, one of them  )
Toyota Yaris 2008 (SWMBO's company shopping trolley)
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 12:43pm |
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simonsi
Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Location: Leicester
Posts: 684
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Arno, I did 2yrs in Al-Khobar 10yrs ago. At the time I had a friend and colleague who worked in Riyadh who used to come over to stay and reckoned it was as good as leaving Saudi for a break. Everything used to be more serious/stressful in Riyadh than on the coast, as ridgback_moor states the driving is terrible etc etc etc. (Is that pic from the Gulf Meridien ridgeback?)
Life on the compounds used to be very like village life in the UK in the 50's, much more make-your-own amusement than you are probably used to at home, much more admin at all levels of anything.
Tax status as above but you also need to check the complete package you will be offered, norm used to be salary, living allowance for accomodation, schooling allowance etc etc so check what is included.
You will need to go out first, obtain resident status and then apply for your family to go out, this can/will/used to take months (9 in my case), so be prepared unless things have radically changed.
Saudi was fairly safe then (more risk from traffic than bombs etc), but that situation may well have changed since I was there.
Your wife won't be able to work unless she is in medical/nursing (was and probably still is), and won't be able to drive (probably wouldn't want to anyway), there will be quite a lively social scene but it will be largely what you make it. Al-Khobar is largely flat but there are some very interesting drives/trips for 4x4 around Riyadh so worth having one (also for protection from the traffic) - again check what is provided by your company as part of the package. Cheers
Simon
TDV6 S Auto - Zambezi Silver - JE Tune - RRS 19" - Sidesteps - Roof Rails
Body Side Strips - Xenons - Bright Pack - Cold Pack - Premium Stereo
Alpine Roof - Towpack - Alpine Touchscreen Satnav - Veba Rear DVD changer
Alpine Roof Monitor - Webasto FBH Timer - Awesome Brembo Frt & S/C Rr Brakes
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 1:16pm |
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ridgeback_moor
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 408
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simonsi wrote:Is that pic from the Gulf Meridien ridgeback?
The only hotel I know with it's own truck mounted machine gun next to the entrance! D3 TDV6 S 2005 - TorqTune, Privacy Glass, Remote FBH, 19" HSE Alloys, Boot liner, retrofit F&R PDC
Defender 90 Truck Cab TD5 2003 - Ifor Williams back, alloys (SWMBO's toy - well, one of them )
Toyota Yaris 2008 (SWMBO's company shopping trolley)
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 1:25pm |
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simonsi
Joined: 14 Oct 2007
Location: Leicester
Posts: 684
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Thought so, the hotels didn't have that protection when I was there but my daughter went to school next to the US Embassy and within its security zone, not many schools have watchtowers and machine guns at the corners....  Cheers
Simon
TDV6 S Auto - Zambezi Silver - JE Tune - RRS 19" - Sidesteps - Roof Rails
Body Side Strips - Xenons - Bright Pack - Cold Pack - Premium Stereo
Alpine Roof - Towpack - Alpine Touchscreen Satnav - Veba Rear DVD changer
Alpine Roof Monitor - Webasto FBH Timer - Awesome Brembo Frt & S/C Rr Brakes
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 1:30pm |
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ridgeback_moor
Joined: 11 Mar 2008
Location: Devon
Posts: 408
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I'll be amazed if Arno still wants to work there after reading this thread D3 TDV6 S 2005 - TorqTune, Privacy Glass, Remote FBH, 19" HSE Alloys, Boot liner, retrofit F&R PDC
Defender 90 Truck Cab TD5 2003 - Ifor Williams back, alloys (SWMBO's toy - well, one of them )
Toyota Yaris 2008 (SWMBO's company shopping trolley)
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 3:53pm |
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yawlboy
Joined: 23 Feb 2007
Location: Cork/Waterford border
Posts: 343
 
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I have yet to visit their personally but my company has done a number of projects there and everyone who has been complains of the boredom. They do claim it is great for their health as the only thing to do is go to the gym. 3 months was the most anyone would do there and then they needed at least two weeks to go mad.
I don't think I could get any of them to commit to a 4 year contract - 12 months would be max.
YB The Double D's
Bluey a 2007 TDV6 LE Rimini Red (with a lot of extras!!!)
&
a 2005 TDV6 S Auto Vienna Green for SWMBO
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 4:22pm |
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lafona00
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Location: Teddington + South East of Paris (Fontainebleau)
Posts: 390
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ridgeback_moor wrote:I'll be amazed if Arno still wants to work there after reading this thread
You are right!!!
I may ask for a quite long thought now!!!!
I have spoken to my wife she went to some websites and she was a bit reluctant but now she is even more!!!!
I think I am going to wait for some other opportunities.
The good thing is that I have not yet warn my boss about the fact that I wish to change job and go abroad!!!!
Thanks anyway for all your answers.
PS: I just love this website Arno
Disco 3 XS Auto - MY2008 - Leather, heated seats.
Def 90 - 1993
Freelander 2001 - Died after 210k km (130k miles)
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 6:43pm |
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Flack
Joined: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 101
 
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I have worked in both places Dahran and Riyadh its can be hell on earth working there some of the locals are ok while others shout abuse at you, especially if you have a female with you. The only good thing about the place is the sunshine, and it gets to hot to work in it after 12:00.
I would think twice about taking my wife there now because there is so little for them to do or be allowed to do. If you get on a bus she can't even sit with you they have to travel at the back of the bus, and keep themselves well covered up.
There are two types of Police there as well the normal Police and the religious Police the latter give you a hard time if your out with your wife if they think she is not dressed correctly.
I could not wait to get home from Dahran and I only spent 8 weeks there.
Flack.. D3 XS Auto Stornoway Grey Ebony Interior
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| Thu Jul 03 2008 11:36pm |
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hernan1304
Joined: 28 Feb 2008
Location: Dubai
Posts: 368
 
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Arno I've heard life in Saudi is fairly restrictive from my father who worked there about two years ago and from other friends who travel there regularly. You may want to consider other gulf states such as the UAE (where I am), Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, maybe Egypt too - I'd say that list goes from best to worst in terms of expat-friendliness.
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| Sun Jul 06 2008 6:54am |
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lafona00
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Location: Teddington + South East of Paris (Fontainebleau)
Posts: 390
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Thanks all your responses I don t hink I will be able to leave there nor my wife!!!!
I have decided not to pursuit this offer... let s see which opportunities comes next.
Thanks everyone for your support Arno
Disco 3 XS Auto - MY2008 - Leather, heated seats.
Def 90 - 1993
Freelander 2001 - Died after 210k km (130k miles)
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| Sun Jul 06 2008 8:44am |
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MrH
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Location: In a world of my own...
Posts: 952
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Having just read this thread I'm definitely not going to pursue the opportunity currently being floated around our company for a 3 month stint in Riyadh - just hope my company don't have other idea 
Thanks to everyone for their contribution, looks like you may have saved me a depressing 3 months Formerly Disconutter
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| Tue Aug 12 2008 4:02pm |
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lafona00
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Location: Teddington + South East of Paris (Fontainebleau)
Posts: 390
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You are lucky because it was only for 3 months!!!
My company wanted me to go there for 4 years!!!!
I have say no.... Now there is a "floating" idea for China!!! 
I will posted when I will have more details about it!!! Arno
Disco 3 XS Auto - MY2008 - Leather, heated seats.
Def 90 - 1993
Freelander 2001 - Died after 210k km (130k miles)
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| Tue Aug 12 2008 4:12pm |
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MrH
Joined: 08 Aug 2007
Location: In a world of my own...
Posts: 952
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Granted it's only 3 months, but my lot weren't offering any incentives other than standard expenses package we get normally in the UK Formerly Disconutter
Powered by............................ TorqTune
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| Tue Aug 12 2008 4:36pm |
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lafona00
Joined: 30 Nov 2007
Location: Teddington + South East of Paris (Fontainebleau)
Posts: 390
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What.!!!!
Good decision made then Arno
Disco 3 XS Auto - MY2008 - Leather, heated seats.
Def 90 - 1993
Freelander 2001 - Died after 210k km (130k miles)
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| Tue Aug 12 2008 4:52pm |
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