I have lived in many places in my life, parts of Europe, Algeria and small stint in Kuwait, but not the Kingdom. No matter how much I study the Middle East, I think it would be difficult to live there--but you have inspired me to get me to "tie up my boots straps" and go back to Middle East. ( But this time maybe Lebanon or Dubai will hopefully be my next adventure.
Thanks again

Jacey,

Thank you for your comment. I think that the more places one has lived abroad then the easier it is to try other places that one maybe would not have considered initially. I'll be frank; the Kingdom may not be for everyone hence the emphasis on first doing as much research as possible. But after doing so, if still interested and intrigued, I say "go for it." Opportunities are there professionally, culturally, historically. And in regards to your comment on perhaps trying to go to Lebanon or Dubai next, you will certainly experience a taste of the Middle East culture or tradition. Personally I have found Dubai to provide an "artificial taste" to a degree. It is now such an intercultural city and has seamlessly blended all these cultures from around the world. It is where my Saudi husband and I were able to stroll hand-in-hand along the street with both of us in our shorts -- something that will not be happening soon in Saudi! English, Russian and Urdu are as widely and commonly spoken as Arabic in Dubai. Best wishes to you and for all of your future travels.

Your views are very interesting to read, Carol. Having lived in Saudi for so long myself, I can only tell
you that you are living in a dream world now---compared to what was here 25 to 30 years ago.
And people that came before that, told me how lucky I was to have air conditioning and running water! lol
So, I guess it's all in the 'eye of the beholder' right? : )
Welcome, sister. I wish you all the best.

Thanks, Miriam!

Have you thought about writing a post which does a comparison of Saudi Arabia from when you first came to what it is like now? I know I would find that to be a fascinating read!

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Best Regards,
Carol

Hi there,

Nice to know you've enjoyed your stay here. My family and I have been living and working in KSAA since 1979,m having first spent 6 years in the Eastern Province and then moving to Riyadh in 1985.

Life has been fascinating here. We are originally from Sri Lanka.

We have two girls who attended Dhahran Academy and later the American School and Bitish School in Riyadh. They are both grown and married now and work in Riyadh as teachers. Our two grandkids, Maria 14, and Abdullah 12 also live and school here.

This is sure a fantastic place to live. We have enjoyed every moment of it to date.

fazli

Good work Carol! Your post is an excellent example of why I keep comming back to read your excellent quality content that is forever updated. Thank you!

Hi
I am a converted Muslim - I married a Moroccan woman about 4 years ago after working in Morocco for 3 years.
Morocco is an extremely relaxed Islamic state and I was there when MOhammedVI took power and put right many of the failings of his father and turned more to the West to cement relations.
I have just been offered a potential 3 year contract working in Telecoms and am trying to determine my chances of completing this term.
Briefly, I have no issues following the Islamic way of life in terms of Alcohol, Drugs etc
I have personal feelings about certain aspects of Freedom that I know I must renounce to benefit from the monetary rewards offered.
My main concerns are my appearance - I have multiple - although not extreme - piercings in both ears and 2 rings in my nose - Are these problematic in general life?
I am also Vegetarian - Can I eat well - primarily Tofu/Bean Curd is the issue as I know I can get Couscous, Tagines etc that do not contain meat?
I also have pernicious Anaemia which requires a B12 jab 3 monthly - is this legal in Saudi?

I would appreciate any info on teh above subjects if you have any knowledge?
Kind REgards

JIm
jimpowney@hotmail.com

@Fazli,

My apologies for the delay in responding to your lovely comment. I imagine that you must have so many experiences and memories of time spent in KSA, particularly since arriving in 1979 -- so much has happened and changed in the Kingdom!

I'm very pleased to hear that you have enjoyed all of your time there. I also invite you to visit my blog and share your perspectives and comments: http://americanbedu.com

Best Regards,
Carol

Thank you Zombo! I hope that in my way I can help others see Saudi Arabia in some perspectives that perhaps differ from what routinely gets reported in the mainstream media.

Best regards,
Carol

Hi Jim and thank you for your comments and questions! I will make every attempt to answer them as I can...

In regards to piercings, they 'could' be problematic if going to Makkah and performing umrah or hajj. I would suggest removing them before going to those two holy places. But in general, it is not unusual in the larger cities to see expat men with pirecings.

You should have no difficulties eating to your vegetarian preferences in the bigger cities of Saudi where many Vegetarian (Indian) as well as Morrocan restaurants prevail.

I am sorry but I do not know about pernicious Anaemia so I'm unable to address that question. However if you wish to pose that question on my blog (http://americanbedu.com) there are several physicians who regularly comment on my blog and my be able to respond.

Regards,
Carol

Hi Carol,

I need to talk to you as I do stories on expats for Saudi Gazette. Pl contact me on my email: mnjawed@gmail.com or mobile (0542012681). Thanks.

Hi Carol,

My husband may have an opportunity to teach in Riyadh. We don't have much information yet as far as his employment but we doing our research to get a good idea of what to expect. Our main concern is our 10 year old son. Are there schools for english speaking children?

We've traveled a bit but have never lived abroad. Overall, how do children fair in compound living?

Hi Carol
Im an Englishman living and teaching in the UK. I have been offered a positon teaching in Riyadh Saudi.I have already taught Saudi students here in the Uk and made a good friend.I have asked him a few questions and all the students have urged me to go and work there.

With the job offer we either can accept their accomodation or an allowance.Should I stay in a compound, if so which? and what is the cost and facilities of a room in the city. One thing on my mind is relative security.

I have lived and worked in Barcelona Spain and near Zurich Switzerland so hopefully it wont be a culture shock.

Ray
UK

Hi Fazli,

I do agree with you that life in Saudi is indeed fascinating and no day is ever the same. That is wonderful that your two grandchildren now live there. Do you feel that your own experiences as an expat in KSA helped influence their own decisions?

Best Regards,

Carol Fleming (Al-Ajroush)

Hi Nasir,

I apologize for the delay. I had had troubles getting back into my account here but now that is all resolved. Please email me directly at admin@americanbedu.com. I am an avid follower of Saudi Gazette and always happy to assist.

Carol Fleming (Al-Ajroush)

Hi Brandi,

I think 10 years old is a very good age for a child to have an overseas experience. There are schools for English speaking children and they are the private international schools. If your husband is on a family contract be sure and negotiate your son's tuition into the package. Children from the West usually do much better in a compound environment as they can play freely and it is much easier to make friends with the other children in the compound. A villa in a residential area or an apartment usually does not offer the same exposure and opportunities. I've written on this subject on my blog and invite you to come and look at the various posts: http://americanbedu.com

Carol Fleming (Al-Ajroush)

Hi Ray,

First of all Congratulations on your opportunity! From which facility have you received an opportunity?

My advice is to indeed stay on a compound. Will your employer arrange accomodation? Many of the universities will do all the organization as it can be a logistical challenge if one has to deal with finding a place and negotiating contracts. It is not any fun for an expat to find accommodation and have to deal with a landlord, especially if problems occur.

In regards to security, one should always have a situational awareness no matter where located and use common sense. All compounds have security.

Look forward to hearing more and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions: admin@americanbedu.com

Carol Fleming (Al-Ajroush)

Hi Ray,

You need to weigh your needs agaimnst the offer that you have.

First, accomodation for western expats may be more conducive within western style compounds where most western style facilities are available and also utilities are all taken care of by the compound management.

Acceptinmg the housing allowance amy give you the option of saving some cash after paying for your rent/lease/equipment. However, it involves the hassle of lookiung for a suitablke place, dealing with a real estate agent, furnsihing and equipping the place with all the necessary amenities and also managing your maintenance, either through the estate agent, landlord or even by yourself. If ytou feel the saving capacity available from this option is miniscule then iuts always better to go for the compoiund option.

A single expat room and bath in a decent locastion may cost around SR 30-40K per annum. You can get places for much less in more crowded aisna style neighborhoods but they may not be comfortable for you coming from the west.

As long as you have an open mind you dont have to be worried about culture shock ort any other similar emotional issues.

Please subscrive to http:?//www.expat-blog.com where there is a great forum for discussion of many aspects of life in KSA and also where you can emet and make many friends in the Kingdom.

Regards - Fazli
fazli

You might think that living in Saudi Arabia would cramp an American's chance of having a social life, and that a move to England would open the door to many social opportunities. Actually, the opposite is true in my experience. In Saudi Arabia, where about one-third of all residents are from other parts of the world, expatriates live on enclosed compounds isolated from the local community. As a result, they reach out to each other and forge social ties with an ease rarely experienced at home.

@Mobdev,

What you say is quite true. I'd also like to add is do not turn down opportunities to interact with Saudis as well which will further broaden and enhance the experience as an expat in Saudi Arabia.

Carol Fleming (Al-Ajroush)

Then you will do a great job there. Defending women's rights is absolutely necessary in that area. Have lived too long as slaves to men.

Hello Carol!
thanks for this article and I would like to give special information for those who want to come here. Saudi arabia is good for two types of people.. first, the ones who need money and work, so the kingdom is helpful for them especially for those who come from africa and asia because in thir countries things are not as expensive as european ones. The second type is for the "muslims" who want to practice their life as they 'wish' so they put themselves in an islamic environment, they would prefer the kingdom over any country all over the world including theirs. Now I want to whisper to my friends who are not from the two types.. my friends! especially europeans, don't think that it will be fantastic experience to live here or work, for there are things you should bear in mind.. HERE are no places for entertainment, I mean clubs, theatres, movies, activities, annual global celebrations and etc.. HERE if you are woman, I advise you not to come because women here have no freedom as any place in the world, the woman is not allowed to drive here, neither to move without wearing particular piece of cloth( abaya- long dress covering the body, and she is not allowed to date a man or go with a man who is not a relative to her :) otherwise she would spend sometime as a guest in the relegious police's office " Al Hai'a" so my dear friend do not even think to come here without a husband or a brother with you, even cousin is not helpful, for cousin here is regarded as a strange man to the woman.. The weather is terrible, dusty, no revires, no jungles, full deserted, the only way to kill time is to hang out in the streets and listen to music as many of us do. To the youngman 'not muslim' my friend! There are no parties, no enjoyment unless you have local company .. Non muslims, especially from europe and america, my friends! it is not safe !!! do you understand me? if you want to be every night affraid of the unknown coming days, come here !! well some may think I am exaggerating but this is for your safety, for there are many dangerous people around. To the uk teacher, what your students told you about is normal thing, for everyone would not make his/her country bad especially when he/she lives outside!! I AM LOCAL ok!! I know everything .. The one who wears stuff in his ears, my friend! most of people here are O.O <--- u know what does that mean? they keep watching others and observe every piece of cloth, for appearances is something holy here, u find ppl with long beards and they go to mosques every single hour BUT that is appearance they may be cheaters, theives, and so on, Well not all saudis like that as I described earlier but 60% of them at least :) .. I am honest with you because I have put myself in your shoes, Dear Carol I notice that you invite the ppl as if you invite them to a normal place :) it is not, this place is special... the srilankan man is happy here bcz he is MUSLIM u see? I told you at the beginning of my article that two types will find no problems.. my friends from US and Europe, do u think it will be nice thing to live isolated in a compound ? I am sorry for what I told you but it's my duty to help you because I am a human being !! traditional, tribal, religious and odd place, one thing to be mentioned is that WE have one of the greatest governments alll over the world, kind and merciful king, but the problem is THE SOCIAL life .. thanks a lot and try to think deeply before you come. Saudi Local from a cloud.