Job Discussion Forums

Continental Drifter · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 13

I understand that EFL teachers are not allowed to live on the Aramco compounds. Is this true? If so, could you tell me where teachers live and what type of family housing is provided?

Your input is greatly appreciated.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Who is the employer ? My understanding is that English teachers are no longer on direct hire to Aramco but work for a "contractor' who then provides a service to Aramco.

The golden days are over.

Continental Drifter · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 13

Scott47, I applied through Jacto. No job yet, but they did recently submit my CV to Aramco.

I've got a couple kids, so a villa rather than an apartment is preferred, and a playground with neighborhood playmates would also be a big plus.

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

I recall in the past that there were complaints about the housing provided to the recruiter-hired Aramco people. Hopefully, someone can update that...

Isn't this a question that the recruiter should answer?

VS

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

I used to contract to Aramco through Jatco.

THe deal is that Jatco does have some sort of compound but it isn't anything that you would want to live on. I think it is a bachelors compound with lots of TCNs.

You wll be forced to look outside which is very expensive.

You will have to pay at least 3 months up front maybe 6 months.

And i might add any of the good compounds are too expensive for an English teacher.

With family even more difficult so i wouldn't really recommend such a gig for you.

If you are really desperate you could take it and leave your family at home til you suss things out.

Continental Drifter · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 13

Mark, thanks for the helpful insight. Any idea of the cost to rent a villa in a decent compound?

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

A villa ? On a compound ? Way beyond a contract EFL teacher !

Cleopatra · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:51 pm Post subject:

Scot, as usual, is right. ESL teachers normally live in apartments provided by their employers, sometimes on compounds, often not. Those who choose to take the housing allowance and live elsewhere usually live in apartments in 'normal' (ie. non-compound) residential areas where rents are much lower than in 'decent' compounds. Even when both spouses are working, this is normally about as far as an ESL teacher's income will stretch.

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

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Some employers provide very fancy accommodation - PMU in Al Khobar is one. A bit oriental for my taste.

Mark100 · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 441

There are some cheaper compounds around but still expensive and they still require a lot of money up front.

Al Ramayah on the Dammam Khobar highway is pretty good and cheaper than most of the others but a single room was still about 4k riyals a month and that was a few years back. The family ones were about 6k riyals a month i think.

I wouldn't recommend living in the general community.
Your family would not have anything to do.
Compounds at least provide some facilities for family when you are working.