Job Discussion Forums

sbmoor262004 · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 15

I'm a teacher with years of ESL expericnce and an MA in TESOL. I'm thinking about coming to SA, but I'm obviously worried about security and living in compounds. First of all, what would it be like living in a compound for someone who is very athletic and outdoorsy? Here in Taiwan I go biking/hiking/working out every day at least 3 hours. What kind of exercise facilities are there? Are gyms expensive?
Secondly, why would anyone NOT live in a compound given the security situation? One person said it's like playing Russian roulette. How many killings per year are there?
Any help on these concerns would be greatly appreciated!
tnx

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

It depends on your compound !

And that depends on your employer !

Who are you thinking of working for - that is the crucial question.

sbmoor262004 · Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Posts: 15

Is it just a no-no to go out in different cities/towns? What would be the ideal compound? What are most like? The concept just seems new to me. I remember hearing of a school in China that tried not to let its teachers out and explore - I could deal if I didn't feel like I was in jail all the time and the salary were high enough (and nice vacations to unwind).

Cleopatra · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

There are compounds and there are compounds.

Some consist of a few villas centred around a small swimming pool. Others, notably the Aramco compound in Dharan, are virtual cities in themselves, complete with cinemas and female drivers. Most compounds, however, have at least some sporting facilities, incl. swimming poos and gym room, possibly also a tennis court (if you can find a partner....)

Which is just as well, as for various reasons - the weather being only the most obvious - SAudi Arabia is not a great place for you to get "incidental" exercise in your daily life.

Nomad Dan · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Myanmar

Most every compound for westerners will have some manner of gym. Some being nicer than others. There are running groups in the major cities and the Kingdom is actually great for year round exercise. Understanding that you'd need to limit runs to the evenings or early mornings during the hottest months. Once you are acclimated, it is really superb. I lived in Al Khobar and was not bothered by the air quality ( I was DEFINITELY bothered in Korea)
I never felt like I was in jail. Then again, situations are different all over.
Cheers,
Dan

Nomad Dan · Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 145 Location: Myanmar

....and you'd be running on a compound of course...
Though I have done a lot of bike riding off compound...NEVER bothered by anyone.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Cleopatra · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 5:37 am Post subject:

johnyarrington · Joined: 16 Feb 2003 Posts: 66 Location: Saudi Arabia

Dear Cleopatra and Steven Jones (in posts of 28 April, 2005):

What "guys" are you talking about?! What "compounds"??!!

Tony (Christopher) Higgens was shot in the head 3 times as he was taking his daily tea in his office, at 4 P.M., on a week day, in August, 2004. His office was in the Rowda/Rabwa/Malaz area. (Try getting accurate locations from ANYONE in Riyadh, even by those of us who live here. It's impossible.)

Tony was a good friend of mine.

Bob Jacobs was shot as he was entering his......"villa", in Khaleej area, about 2 km. West of Kind Fahad stadium, on June 8, 2004. Bob was old, and lame--he couldn't walk well. The murderers who did it knew this fact well. My wife and I visited his villa many times. His murder was broadcast on the Internet, and boasted of proudly by the murdering, cowardly scum that did it.

Bob was also a friend.

Paul Johnson was kidnapped as he came home to his villa in an area that was reported in the international press, who doesn't know any better, but are trying to get out a quick and sensational story, and by the Arab Snooze which never gets it right for obvious reasons, as "Malaaz". In fact, Paul lived and was abducted in an area which, according to the maps I have obtained, the street signs that are on the street where it happened, and by people who read and write Arabic, as "Dhubaat", or "Officers' area"---it's kind of a subset of Malaaz. His villa was at the end of a street called Farasdhak, which is popularly known. This heinous act was also perpetrated in June, 2004.

So I really don't know which "guys", or which "compounds" you're talking about.

It would help if you were specific, as to names of compounds, locations, names of guys, and dates.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Don't really see how the exact details are important here. The point I am making is that there have been people killed in terrorist attacks who did not live in compounds. The fact that they were shot outside the houses is irrelevant; after all why should the terrorists wait until they go inside!

In general you're more likely to be the target of a bombing if you live in a compound. On the other hand, you are more vulnerable to being picked off individually if you don't.

And when you're out shopping or on the way to work, it doesn't matter either way.

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 6:46 am Post subject:

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 9:01 am Post subject:

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

Cleopatra · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 11:47 am Post subject:

Fine, Stephen, no problem, a garage is indeed "part of the housing". Even so, as things stand:

"At least one" expat was killed "in his garage".

Many dozens (quite how many is not certain) of expats were killed in their compounds.

I repeat my previous point: a case can be made for saying that compounds are considerably less safe than "normal" houses. I see no reason to revise my opinion on this matter.[/quote]