Job Discussion Forums

[BajaLaJaula]

Why would I go to KSA? Why do I stay in KSA?

If you are aware of and honest about the reasons why, then maybe you can make a more informed decision about whether to go or if already there, whether to stay.

Of course, before *edit*, *edit* and any other "glass half-full" kind of positive, eternal optimist, folks have a chance to way chime in...everyone has their own perception of good/bad, right/wrong, etc. Not everyone's experience will be the same. Of course a lot has to do with the job/city/money/and the list goes on.

Some of the answers, you may not like. You may not agree with. Here is your chance to list them...at least until this thread gets taken off...too much honesty can be a bad thing on this forum.

Here we go.....

My reasons:
1. Money

That's it folks. The country, the people, the culture has no other redeeming factors. Once the money was no longer a factor, the negatives of living there far, far, far outweighed any reason to stay.

Without getting nasty and listing all of the negative qualities that I experienced while living there for almost a decade. I am very happy that I left. My advice to anyone thinking about going now....It ain't worth it. Not even close.

[bigdurian]

Well, I don't mind it here. Have a nice life here, very settled blah blah blah.

But the bottom line is that if I had enough money, I wouldn't be here.

I agree with Most of what you said.

One thing I have noticed though is that as people stay longer, many people move their goalposts of what is enough. Got one house paid for, get another to rent out. Got a car, get one for the wife too, and so on.

And I'm guilty of this too to some degree.

I think some people get addicted to making money, and forget that the whole reason to be in Saudi is to make money to go somewhere else. When is enough enough?

I'm still relatively young now, but I do know that I'm not going to be going on into my sixties and seventies like some do. No way.

The only thing apart from the money is the time spent with my family doing things we wouldn't otherwise have done, and some of the really sound people I've met along the way.

[BajaLaJaula]

Fortunate that you can have your family with you. This is...for many jobs now....a thing of the past. They want to get TEFLers that are young, and unattached, so they don't have to pay for all those dependents.
Some, due to their circumstances, have no problem going it alone. Not for me.
You are right, though. When is it enough money? Hopefully, not before you lose your soul or sanity.

[Hatcher]

Saudi is about the money or money and being a Muslim.

If you can find a way to use up your free time like exercising or scuba, then it is ok. Maybe the most important for me was to be on the east coast where I could easily get to Qatar or Bahrain or AD.

Its not bad for those who love reading.

[1chunk]

Not many leave after having achieved what they came here to do (to make money). Once you are settled, as bigdurian mentioned, you tend to change your objectives and you fear the uncertainty (of going back) especially if you don't have a job offer. You make other excuses and use that as a reason to stay.

This is definitely the case for the well-paid jobs. It's no wonder why many Aramcons have been around for 10+ years. The average TEFLer is probably on around 12-15k basic in KSA. He/she couldn't earn anywhere near that amount doing the same job in his/her country.

Now that salaries have dropped along with the economy, whilst the western economy is still fairly strong, many don't see the (monetary) benefit of being here and so they move on.

Having said all this, I've came across many Muslims from the west.. Their salary isn't exactly great but they prefer the lifestyle here and the easy opportunity to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Madinah. The ability to travel there without a visa and inconvenience. in comparison to if they came from the US or the UK etc. For them, as long as they have money for food and accomodation and a bit of change to save, the rest doesn't matter.

[cnthaiksarok]

Now: Money to retire well.

I'm also on track to visit all the highlights such as; caves, dive spots, desert/topo regions and landmarks. Only one chance to do that!


Used to be dating, partying, money for travel.

[Hatcher]

When I was there, I stopped asking people why they were in the KSA... it was: money, MMM - money, Mecca and Medina and couldnt get a job anywhere else

If you can find ways to deal with the red tape and endless delays then you can survive mentally. Need to fill your time with things like caves and diving.

[voyagerksa]

The above is all true.

[siologen]

Of course the dinero, baksheesh, spondoolicks, are the prime motivator for many. But there are also those who are adventurous and perhaps like the quad bikes and scuba and stuff like that. I suppose it is what one makes of it. It may also suit quieter, reading books and watching movie types like myself, who consider themselves hermits and prefer solitude, and that is also fine. To each their own, eh

[RustyShackleford]

Definitely stayed for the money and left before my goal because I valued my sanity and saw whatever semblance of professional experience I'd accumulated elsewhere start eroding. However, a part of me does miss the copious free time to pursue on exercise, reading, and learning guitar.

Also, as I zip around my scooter and the nearly claustrophobic city scapes, I start to miss the vast expanses of desert. Glad I was able to get at least one camping trip doing it.

Glad I went. Even more glad I left. Would be glad to go back if the price was right and it didn't involve military brats.

[Hatcher]

For me, I taught classes 3 hours a day, 24 weeks of the year.

The rest of time I was completely free. Thats semi retirement if you can find ways to fill your time.

There are 2 reasons, as stated above... money or money and Mecca... Reasons not to go include prof development

[scot47]

Old joke in expat circles which has a great deal of truth - "I tried working and I did not like it so I came to Saudi Arabia."

[bigdurian]

[scot47]

Slow on the uptake - what does that mean ?

[bigdurian]