Job Discussion Forums

[waks]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice and would be grateful if any of you can share your experience/ expertise please?

I've just been offered a job at KSU (Al Hussain) and will be paid SAR 14000, SAR 3000 for Housing and SAR 1000 for Transport.

Assuming all goes well I'd like to bring my wife and 2 children with me (eldest will need to be placed in school).

Given the above offer, can one live well/ save whilst with a family in Riyadh?

Also, can you get a decent accommodation for the whole family or would the accommodation that Al Hussain offer be suitable?

[nomad soul]

Obviously, your finances are contingent upon ongoing financial responsibilities/debts and your savings goals as well as your family's spending habits/lifestyle. But basically, KSA's cost of living is low, and you should be able to rent a modest flat in a family building. If Al Hussan offers employer-provided family accommodation, that's likely the better route.

That said... Costs for your oldest child's private school education will take a good chunk of your budget. Here's a schools list with annual fees, which should give you an idea of costs. (The disclaimer states: Last updated October 2015. Most schools divide annual fees into three, each payable at the start of each semester. The tuition fees listed here do not include registration or application fees, books, bus transportation, sports, music, or any other miscellaneous fees.) You'll need to email schools directly for total costs, space availability, placement, etc.

This job offer may not turn out to be financially appealing. Instead, if you have strong qualifications (i.e., a TESOL-related degree and 3-5 years of experience), look into direct-hire opportunities like KFUPM, which includes an education stipend for school-aged dependents and employer-provided housing.

[RedLightning]

-For a decent, two bedroom flat, 5000 minimum
-1000 SAR may work for a rental car, but if you're going to catch a cab every day, forget about it (I lived less than 2 km from work and it ran 15 SAR each way)
-I have no idea what Western schools will cost but expect to pay a fine penny

[danshengou]

It always gets me when some fella thinks he will finally be able to make enough teaching ESL and be a "provider". Mate, on 18k/mo, you will be scraping by when you factor in your kid's tuition. You should seriously consider other options. And what if the wife and kids develop a sudden distaste for Riyadh, what are you going to do then? Just live all by yourself, see the family once a year? Give this one a pass mate. Best of luck!

[Landon]

[danshengou]

Let's be honest, ESL by itself generally doesn't pay enough to be a single-earner family. Most can barely support themselves in this industry, let alone a family. That said, there are a few places where a fella could be the sole provider, but the savings would be minimal. In this case, the OP has only got 18k per month. Meanwhile, annual tuitions at British international schools will take 3 months of his salary - per student. However, if he doesn't mind the distance, he could scrimp and save and send money home, and visit the family once or twice a year, etc.