Job Discussion Forums

middleastman · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 73

Hi there,

have been offered a contract with bell at king saud on the foundation program. Is it a managable position for six months? The money on offer is good but I know little about the prices of (furnished) accomodation in riyadh or the cost of renting a car. They want me to start in early Jan. Seems a little soon to me. I imagine the saudi embassy will close for xmas at some point. Any advice on costs appreciated.

Many thanks.

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

desertdawg · Joined: 14 Jun 2010 Posts: 206

Hotel 2 room apartment around SAR3000/month with ensuite and living room/kitchenette.

Shared kitchen and living room and possibly bathroom in an hotel apartment perhaps with two or three other teachers around SAR1500/month.

It can be a bit of a hassle to find accommodation as many of the people you will be negotiating/dealing with don't speak English. But it is available.

Car around SAR2000/month. Very often other teachers will be in the same hotel so sharing a taxi to and from work is easier, safer and more economical.

Good luck

Grendal · Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 7:23 am Post subject:

Cost of living in Riyadh is one of the highest in Saudi. Why only 6 months? Like earlier stated; you won't have time to look around to save money. We have been here for two months now and have just settled in and are considering to start saving money. If you are coming through Bell they offer 10 month contracts. You've missed the first four so maybe that's why you got offered 6. Have they mentioned anything about renewal? Bell has been kind of hacking it lately and it doesn't look good for them from what I read here on Dave's. They may not secure the contract for next year.

Regards.

Grendal

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Close for Christmas ! WHAT !????????????????????????????????

On a more serious note - if you come in the second semsetr at beginning of February you will NOT get full vacation pay for trhe summer. Did they tell you that ?

sheikher · Joined: 13 Jul 2009 Posts: 291

And Google said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." http://saudi-arabia.visahq.com/embassy/holidays/

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

It is certainly not surprising that the Saudi Embassy is closed for Christmas Day in any country they are that has it as a holiday. I'm sure that they have "locals" working there. I note on the list that they are closed for all "official" US holidays.

I expect that the American Embassies in Arab countries are closed for Eids and any other local holidays... plus all the traditional American holidays.

VS