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veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would bring the absolute minimum stuff to Saudi. Clothes, a laptop, a Kindle, and one box of my fav teaching materials. I very much doubt that it will be a place where you will want to put down roots.

To be honest, I don't recall ever having a female teacher post from this part of Saudi.

VS

greatminds · Joined: 14 Jun 2011 Posts: 16 Location: United States

Thanks, all.

Whether I lkie it or not I have already roots in Kuwait and I have been there for five years. So when I move, it will be with movers. I will not be coming with a suitcase or two. Anyway, Jubail is only three hours driving from Kuwait and I have several friends who can either get a truck to transport or take it for me. I have one friend who has trucks who get their goods from Saudi all the time. Apparently it is much cheaper than Kuwait.

But I dont have too much. Fitness equipment, books, loads of books....did I say books? I also have some special kitchen equipment like juicers, and slow cookers that I dont want to buy agian.

I will be paid enough that I can ship it when I leave. Or sell it in Saudi. The Middle East has been my home now for a while.

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

I asked the secretary at work where the foreign females live and he laughed thinking I wanted to go round there. He didn't know, or if he does, he wasn't saying ... Probably a studio but you can go on a compound. There is a choice a) take RC housing or b) take 3 months salary extra and rent your own place. Trouble is that all compunds are south of pollution city and you will pay more than 3 months salary for it and travel much further to work.

Re. exit visa - you can get a 6 month multi-entry for 500SR so can come and go as you like. But you have to pay for it! After a few months you will see the irony in having to pay to leave Saudi and be let back in.

BTW, another 'perk' of KSA is cheap prices. There is no tax on imported goods and it is the place to get top quality products at bargain prices. People always ask me to get them electronic gadgets.

It's Scary! · Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Posts: 823

...at bargain prices.

Don't you mean, "At bargain princes??? Laughing

It's Scary!

posh · Joined: 22 Oct 2010 Posts: 430

Erm, no.

greatminds · Joined: 14 Jun 2011 Posts: 16 Location: United States

well surely saudi is no bargain and there is unlikely to be princes hanging around jubail or am I wrong? Jubail is not Riyadh so it would be wrong to have any expectations. I am thinking the worst. But being about to exit, even if I have to pay for it, is not more than I can handle. I look at it as the price of the job. Rather the cost of doing business in saudi so to speak.

I will focus on the benefits of a quiet life and great shopping prices. I am looking forward to getting a new phone if the electronic prices are good!

I guess I will just make the best of the studio, although it sounds more like a glorified hotel room