Job Discussion Forums

MESL · Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 291

I'm on my way to Jeddah. How many foreign compounds are there? Which one is the "best"? Which one has the most ESL teachers? What kind of rent can I expect? What kind of settling in cost? How much to open a local bank? How much to get set up with a computer and Internet? Mobile phones? How good is the public transportation system? Any good links on Arab culture, especially how to relate to adult Saudi college students? Any other information and insights for a first time Saudi Arabia, first time Jeddah tour would also be appreciated.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Employers in KSA must either provide accommodation or pay you a housing allowance.

Which deal do you have ? Accommodation in a reasonable cmpond will set you back 30,000 SR for a year. Non-compound accommodation is cheaper. If you go for an apartment but you want access to swimmingpool etc, check out THE ITALIAN CLUB in Baghdadiya. Taxi drivers know it. Membership is not only for Italians.

I lived there recently for six years and had no car. I got around by bus and taxi. There are two systems of buses. SAPTCO run large air-conditioned buses. Each route has a number. All routes go past the main post office which is in the downtown area (Balad). Fare is 2SR. There is a also a system of minibuses. They do not have route numbers, but the route is written on the side in Arabic.

Buy yourself a map. Al-Farsi produce useful maps of Jeddah and other cities in Arabic and English. These are available in JAREER BOOKSTORE which is worth a visit. There is one is Palestine Street and another one near ????????????? (i can't remember the name and I do not have a map here.)

Jeddah is an interesting place to be. HOWEVER having a reasonable employer is crucial.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Jeddah Part 2

I got a new computer here in Saudi for 3000 SR. That is $800. You can get cheaper and there are second-hand deals for the unwise. To get hooked up to the Internet I use a card from sahara.net. That costs 100SR for unlimited hours in one month. There are cards Awalnet, etc. Ask people living around you which one they use.

Opening a bank account will not cost you anything but there is usually an annual charge.

Settling-in costs ? Depends if you want to live simply like an expat from Bangladesh or lavishly like some Saudis. This country can be very cheap, but there are people who leave here as poor as when they arrived. Temples to consumerism are everywhere. I have seen morre Shopping Malls in my time in Saudi Arabia than anywhere else on Planet Earth. (Although I belive they are now a la mode in other parts of the world).

If you are able to work in another job in the evenings there are opportunities. This is technically illegal and some employers do not approve. Two places that I can suggest are Saudi Arabian Airlines Training Center on Hail Street. They run evening classes for employes and dependants. There is also ELS which is near the bicycle roundabout. If you pm me I will see if I can find a telephone number in my chaotic archives.

Albulbul · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 364

It seems that scot47 gets lots of flak from the more irascible young ones when they take exception to something he posts. No one seems to say "Thanks" when he posts something useful like this.

Are the young always so ungrateful ?

MacMahon · Joined: 04 Oct 2003 Posts: 39

Do you know of any other half decent book stores in Jeddah?

The other Jareer store is on Sari St. by the way. Saying that, another one has opened recently on Tahliya Street but its down the far end approaching the Mekkah Highway. As you might have guessed it's the same size as the other 2 put together so it may be of interest?

Thanking you... (I got a wooden spoon on the knuckles 4 ill manners)

MESL · Joined: 23 Aug 2003 Posts: 291

Thanks. And I was going to say that before, but I'm on the road. 30,000, that's a big chunk. Settling in cost is utility deposits and hookups. Do apartments come with appliances? I don't like to cook. How is the restaurant situation? Where so you meet Saudis who are will to show you around. Please forgive any typos that may be in this. I'm in an Internet cafe. I've had about all the noise and smoke I can take, and I'm going back to the hotel. I'll be there in a couple of weeks. Any problems with going to the Middle East during the current religious observance?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Restaurants everywhere.

As for meeting "Saudis who will show me around", I do not know. Football (soccer to you) is universally popular and you might want to use that as a topic of discussion in and out of class. The two local teams in Jeddah are great rivals. (Al-Ahli and Ittihad).

If you are alone and do not like the idea of 30,000 for a compound you could try one of the serviced apartment places. One I know is on Palestine Street near the Marriot Hotel. Can't remember name now

Apart from Jareer there are no reasonable bookshops I know of except AL MARRIKH(MARS). It caters for university students and academics. Two sections " Arabic and English. It is near ESKAN, the multi story blocks near the Old Airport, on SITTEEN STREET.