Job Discussion Forums

[shebab]

I have been offered a job at YIC that seems very attractive, except for the housing, which for me is a deal breaker...

Single status employees get a "furnished studio apartment partioned into different rooms," according to the contact person out there. He added that it might be about 40 square meters, but perhaps more than that.

Does anyone have any comments on what that means? For me a studio is a small cramped space you only rent because you can't afford a one or two bedroom apartment. Could I possibly have the wrong idea?

Has anyone single lived in Yanbu who can comment on the housing situation (or anything else)?

[lionbrian]

Hi there,

YIC is pretty famous for their low salaries. For example, with a BA, TESOL Certificate, and verified 5 years teaching experience, they offered my friend only 8000 S.R. It's really a bad deal. BUT, I do not know what a good deal means to you.

Take care!

[shebab]

They're offering 12,600 SR per month-I would think that's an excellent deal!

I'm just doubtful about the housing...

[lionbrian]

Hi,

I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. 12600 S.R/Month based on what qualifications and teaching experience? Please explain! They might have changed their salary scale!! who knows?????????

THANKS FOR THE INPUT!

[ntropy]

FYI,

1 1/2 years ago I was also offered 12000SR to work for Yanbu. Doesn't seem out of line.

[ohman]

If you're bringing your cats, it might be a tight fit unless you allow them indoor/outdoor privileges.

[Mark100]

Well that sounds like typical single accommodation for English teachers in Saudi.
Most places offer a tiny one bedroom or studio BUT if you are married you usually get something inordinately large.
That is the way things usually go.
If you don't like it ask them to give you a housing allowance and get your own place.

[GlobalDawg]

I am presently at YIC and the single housing situation is not bad. The apartments are very spacious for one person. It is partioned, but the way I have mine set up, I hardly ever use the living room area. I'd say you're looking at about 900 sq. ft.; including a service area with washer and dryer in some apartments, electric kitchen and a ceiling to floor glass enclosure leading to the patio which makes for a lot of light depending on which side of the complex you'er located. The furniture is bad in some units and good in others. I doubt that there is an option for a housing allowance. However, the places are going quickly, so you'd better get here real soon.

As for salary, not sure about 12K--we're talk'n riyads--but if you say so, more power to you. My understanding is that about 11K is max coming in. However, flush the 8K notion. I don't think anyone here is making less than 9.2K on the low end and that doesn't include the transportation allowance. Yet, in the odd case maybe it does. There were some guys a few years ago who were getting the 8K offer. But, more than likely they all passed on it and so the RC had to rethink the figures. All in all, since there is nothing to do and nowhere to go except Yanbu Al Bahr--which is still geographically undersirable--and unless you're flying into Jeddah, Riyahd or Bahrain on the weekends, you're bound to go home with more than when you arrived. I'm consistantly walking around with 3 or 4K burning a whole in my pocket. But, that's probably a good thing since you never know when you might have to trade that iqama in for your passport and get the hell outta here. So, the salary ain't that bad; hell, one of my favorite past times has become going down to the bank just to get a balance statement from the ATM; like a tale by the time it's been told more than once, it's growing. Also, consider that the heavy hitters with 10 years are pulling down 15K, from what I hear, and they've hit the ceiling.

So, toss the hearsay and speculation out the window and get here while there's still a cool breeze blowing.