Job Discussion Forums

[eslteacher2014]

Hi

At my old job in KSA they would give us a housing allowance. The pros where that one had some sense of "freedom". The negative was if you found a flat, you had to pay 6 months rent, buy the stoves, oven, sink ect ect, ( big pain). so i stayed in a shuga mafroosha (extended stay hotel) but staying in a hotel for 1-2 years is kind weird after a while.

At my new job, I live on the compound. Its nice, the place is furnished, gym , pool is all there. And i live on campus. But at the same time, it feels like i am in a jail. The place is sealed off, there is a small baqala ( convient store with chips soda ect) anytime i take a taxi and come somewhere the guards ask 100 questions before i can re-enter(maybe because i am new?)... I am debating if i should ask for a housing allowance and just stay in a extended stay hotel or rent my own flat?

Or maybe the grass is always greener on the other side? Any thoughts?

[scot47]

I have been on contracts where there was no choice, where we HAD to live in the accommodation provided. Good deal in Jeddah where we lived in the still first-world Saudia City.

Less so at KFUPM where campus housing was a bit downmarket. Plus side with KFUPM was that I could easily get to work. 10 minute walk through mature parkland. There are not many like that in KSA !

[BajaLaJaula]

The median counts as green space and is often used for picnics. When that runs out, you can roll out your carpet and sit on the sidewalk adjacent to the corniche. Lots of fun watching the roaches and rats scampering around looking for left-over bits of Al-Bayk.
Ah! How I miss it.
Oh and don't forget about the desert. You can picnic out on the sand with breathtaking views of rocky lifeless outcroppings and more sand.
Whatever floats your boat.

[scot47]

So where are you now Baja ? Haight-Ashbury ?

[BajaLaJaula]

You've blown my cover.