| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
sammysez
Joined: 20 Nov 2016
Posts: 119
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 12:22 pm Post subject: SHARED HOUSING AND APT HUNTING ARE BOTH DEAL BREAKERS |
 |
|
I'm seeing quite a few jobs know, even saying university level, that have SHARED HOUSING. I realise the benefits are going down, but that's the breaking point for me, as well as some of these lower paying positions.
I don't know about others, but that is a deal breaker for me. The one thing was having a nice flat/apt and having it all to yourself.
Shared housing and having to Apt HUNT are both dealbreakers for me. Trying to find an apartment in a culture I don't know etc.. then finding furnture etc..
Anyone else? Would be interested in your thoughts.
Can we ask an employer for a private apt? And what is the response, most likely? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Tue Mar 21, 2017 1:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I doubt there are that many situations with shared housing only. Regardless, just ignore those particular companies.
However, if it's a benefit for a position you really want, there's no harm in asking about non-shared accommodations. Just be prepared to have to pay for your privacy. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Wed Mar 22, 2017 10:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
We have been in shared housing in Abu Dhabi for the last four years. It sucks. We have the nicest housemates in the world, and it still sucks. Never again. It's totally a deal breaker for me in any future jobs we consider.
Apartment hunting, even in Saudi, is something I'm willing to accept. We've done it before. We could do it again. The key is finding the right rental agent. Having someone at the same job suggest a person is helpful. Being ok with not having your house fully furnished and settled for 2-3 months is also important. Again, I can live with that. Some people can't. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
sicklyman
Joined: 02 Feb 2013
Posts: 930
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
it's a dealbreaker for YOU so no need to make blanket all-caps statements that imply a generalisation to everyone.
I'd say that anyone coming to something in the Dammam/Dhahran/Khobar area will do fine finding their own accommodation. No idea about other areas.
I have to flatshare though, but thankfully the wife finds me easy to live with. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: SHARED HOUSING AND APT HUNTING ARE BOTH DEAL BREAKERS |
|
|
| sammysez wrote: |
Can we ask an employer for a private apt? And what is the response, most likely? |
There is usually a fixed offer with these jobs. They offer housing or a set amount for a housing stipend. Many that offer housing will allow you to take the stipend instead, but it may not be enough to afford decent housing.
In our case, the university provides housing, but it is shared housing. We opted for this because our other option was to take a housing stipend that would barely cover the cost of a studio apartment in the area where we live, and we're a family of 8. A studio is obviously a little too cozy for us.
You can ask for a private apartment, and if you are local, the answer may very well be yes. The locals here all got villas to themselves while the rest of us got stuck together. If you are an expat, I can almost guarantee you that the answer is no. It is possible, though, that they will offer you the option of taking a housing stipend instead, and if you don't mind making up the difference in rent out of your own pocket, that could work for you. For some people who want certain job experience on their resume or just want the experience of living in a particular area for a year or two, this can be a reasonable option. It's not a great long term solution though, because it eats up part of your paycheck. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bigdurian
Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 401
Location: Flashing my lights right behind you!
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 1:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You're a family of eight!!!
I am amazed that you found someone who wanted to share with you. Nothing against your family, but they must be desperate.
I love my kids, but I can only do other people's kids safe in the knowledge that I'm going home without them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
veiledsentiments
Joined: 20 Feb 2003
Posts: 17644
Location: USA
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 3:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
They have families share? 
It must be a huge villa. Do you share with another family? I can't imagine some poor single person having to share with a large family. LOL (of course I am one of those for whom sharing would be a deal breaker... no way... I wouldn't want to share with my best friend and never with some stranger)
VS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:40 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bigdurian wrote: |
You're a family of eight!!!
I am amazed that you found someone who wanted to share with you. |
Lol... we didn't! NOBODY wanted to share. They got stuck with us just like we got stuck with them. The university assigned all of the families to shared housing. We have a big beautiful fully-furnished villa with 5 rooms, so that's the one good point. The bad side is that it's only half ours. The other family (2 adults, 2 kids) has the top floor with 2 bedrooms, we have the middle floor with 3 bedrooms, and we all share the ground floor, which is the kitchen, living room, and laundry room. None of the floors are closed off. The stairs go through everyone's space. It's nuts. I can't leave my bedroom to go the kitchen for a glass of water without getting fully dressed.
I am a very private person, so this has not been good for my emotional well being. Like I say, I don't recommend it. Shared housing for college students or for single adults is one thing. Shared housing for families is ridiculous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 4:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| veiledsentiments wrote: |
They have families share?
It must be a huge villa. Do you share with another family? I can't imagine some poor single person having to share with a large family. |
No, the singles got a separate housing arrangement, fortunately for them. I can't imagine some poor single getting tossed in with my family. Eek! At least when it's families grouped with families, we all have to tolerate the same things from each other. I listen to their kids scream all night, and they listen to my early riser kids running up and down the stairs at daybreak. Neither family hates each other for it, because you can't control kids 24/7 for 4 years. That's just the reality.
But it's not a fun reality. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| You tolerated that for 4 years ? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
2buckets
Joined: 14 Dec 2010
Posts: 515
Location: Middle East
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I once shared a bathroom with someone who wasn't used to indoor plumbing.
In the morning I was usually greeted by an un-flushed toilet.
'nuff said.
Never again. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bigdurian
Joined: 05 Feb 2014
Posts: 401
Location: Flashing my lights right behind you!
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| 2buckets wrote: |
I once shared a bathroom with someone who wasn't used to indoor plumbing.
In the morning I was usually greeted by an un-flushed toilet.
'nuff said.
Never again. |
Number 1 or number 2? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 6:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Yep. We had committed to stay for awhile, so we decided to make the best of it. This kind of thing is normal for us, I guess. We try this and that, live here and there. It was all part of the experience. We've had several housemates rotate through. We've lived with Eritreans then Pakistanis and now Nigerians. It's been good exposure to different cultures, languages, foods, etc. for our kids. They made "sibling" friends with the other kids. My younger kids don't even realize that everyone doesn't live with another random family. There was enough good in the experience to tolerate the bad. In all honesty, though, I'm maxed out on this now. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| AmericanAmina wrote: |
| We've lived with Eritreans then Pakistanis and now Nigerians. It's been good exposure to different cultures, languages, foods, etc. for our kids. They made "sibling" friends with the other kids. My younger kids don't even realize that everyone doesn't live with another random family. There was enough good in the experience to tolerate the bad. |
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
AmericanAmina
Joined: 15 Dec 2015
Posts: 104
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2017 7:25 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| bigdurian wrote: |
| 2buckets wrote: |
I once shared a bathroom with someone who wasn't used to indoor plumbing.
In the morning I was usually greeted by an un-flushed toilet.
'nuff said.
Never again. |
Number 1 or number 2? |
Please don't answer this question.  I don't want to knooooooowwww.... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
