Job Discussion Forums

georgiasmith · Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Hello People
Offered a good teaching job in a choice of:
Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Would really appreciate some advice on which one to choose.
I am a woman in my 50s not interested in night clubs drinking etc. Would hope for some social life though book clubs, games etc etc.
Would love to be near the sea but hear Jeddah is dirty and polluted.
Also swimming and gym are very important to me.
Advice much appreciated

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

georgiasmith · Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Yes definitely have a choice

cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Jeddah, although the high humidity in summer can be a bit much.

Heaton · Joined: 02 Jan 2012 Posts: 35

Al Khobar has the most foreigners thanks to the oil industry and the presence of Aramco. There are English book exchanges on the Aramco compound. The Eastern Province is "liberal" by Saudi standards, so it provides more social freedom than other parts of the country.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Khobar (well, Dhahran) has the best library in KSA. The KFUPM Library can be used by non-university personnel - and EVEN BY WOMEN. The library is smaller than the mammoth one in Riyadh, but has a cataloguing system that functions. Huge collection of academic books on the region and works of general interest. Your chance to read, for example, the Complete Works of Trollope.

In Jeddah there is an excellent lending library Based on the grounds of the British Consulate (The BCL - British Community Library) Membership is open to those with "Western" passports.

Of course Riyadh has an Opera House but the Religious Establishment will not allow it to operate !

sicklyman · Joined: 02 Feb 2013 Posts: 930

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

If in Jeddah checko ut the Italina Club which has pool and sports facilities. Non-Italians are accepted as members but the Bearded and Pious are not !

Located in Baghdadiya bear the old Centre ("Balad")

Wilsonthefarmer · Posted: Thu May 09, 2013 9:18 pm Post subject:

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

there is an Opera House in Riyadh - financed by one of the royals and waiting for the day when the Bearded Ones let it operate !

bounce · Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 8

Go for Riyadh - bigger expat community so you will find people who share your interests, lots of opportunities to socialise through clubs / societies / friends you make as you go around. The swimming will be easy if your employer accommodates you on a decent compound or DQ, but it's not that hard to get to know people on compounds and visit. Also, the climate in Riyadh is a lot easier to live with. Jeddah and Khobar are unbelievably sweaty and humid when it's hot. And 'liberal by Saudi standards' is a pretty meaningless concept, so ignore that.

I'd say Riyadh unless:
a) you're mad about diving and want to spend every weekend under the Red Sea - go to Jeddah
b) you're a desperate drinker and won't survive without regular top-ups - go to Khobar and spend your weekends (and all your money) in Bahrain

georgiasmith · Joined: 30 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

Thanks to all and particualrly Bounce (full marks for actually answering the questions I asked!!!). I will follow your advice.

A bit worried by Saudi posts in general though! Seems like you have all gone a bit stir crazy?????? Hope that's not me in a year!

jaffa · Joined: 25 Oct 2012 Posts: 403

Don't worry georgiasmith, it will be. Smile

It's the sun and culture.

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

Georgiasmith:

There are several very useful blogs faithfully maintained by some knowledgeable expat women. They took time to answer my questions about living in the Kingdom. Do an Internet search on: blueabaya americanbedu susie of arabia blog.