that will be greart if i can have marry ann mail address, coz am just new in jeddah & like to meet with women expats who've been here for long time to share knowledge & info.
thanks
Ghada

Hi Mary Ann

My wife and I are considering moving to Jeddah and wanted some advice, please. It would be useful for us to know what the monthly rent would be for a decent (4 star standard) 3 bedroom apartment in or near the Al Andalus district - compound as well as non-compound. One of the companies that I am speaking to suggested a housing allowance of US$10,000 = SAR37,000 per year. Your thoughts please. Many thanks.

Best wishes

Ali

Hello Mary Ann;
Thanks for sharing your experience and insights.
I currently live in Weston Florida and my husband is considering relocating to Jeddah, the proposal is already in and if all goes well we should be there by August.
I have two kids, a 15 year old boy going to 10th grade and a 12 year old girl going to 8th grade...we also have a dog.
I would appreciate if you could answer my questions below:

1. What are the top notch American high and middle schools in Jeddah?

2. Are there any special requirements to take our dog there? How are dogs treated there? Are there Vets in the region?

3. My son is a very good swimmer, currently the Florida Gold Coast champion for his age bracket and he will need a pool to practice, have you heard anything about competitive swimming in Jeddah?

4. What are the top 3 " best " compounds in the area and how much would a 3 /4 bedroom villa go for?

Sorry for all the questions and your help and support is greatly appreciated.

Best Regards;
Bianca

Hi Marry Ann,

Can I take your very brief interview, preferably over phones, for my upcoming story on American Expats for the Saudi Gazette. My email: mnjawed@gmail.com (Mobile: 0542012681). Thanks.

@ Ali Butt
37,000 SR is too low at this time. even a normal 4 bedroom apartment cost around 25 - 30 K, which is only equal to no star. and unfurnished. Maybe just a new building.

@Bianca
Q:1. What are the top notch American high and middle schools in Jeddah?
There are many schools in Jeddah which are of very high caliber. American Intl. School, Jeddah Prep & Grammar, British Intl. School are the best.

Q:2. Are there any special requirements to take our dog there? How are dogs treated there? Are there Vets in the region?
Dog is permitted everywhere, except the public places like restaurants, hospitals and likewise.
There are several Vets around.

Q:3. My son is a very good swimmer, currently the Florida Gold Coast champion for his age bracket and he will need a pool to practice, have you heard anything about competitive swimming in Jeddah?
Jeddah has many many swimming clubs, competitions take place very often. Scuba diving is also there, and many people are taking part in it these days.

Q:4. What are the top 3 " best " compounds in the area and how much would a 3 /4 bedroom villa go for?
Arabian Homes
Sharbatly Village
Mura Bustan
Basateen
Nada Village
list goes on n on...

Feel free to ask anything about jeddah. Have been here as an expat for past 20 years.
simplysk@live.com

I feel that one of the best blogs can be found at: 'americanbedu.com' It is a well-written, intelligent post by a former American diplomat married to a Saudi. In her blog, she discusses many topics which answer a vast array of questions and misconceptions about the country, its people, the culture, and Islam--the religion. If you are thinking of moving to Saudi Arabia, or you just have a curious interest in it, please read her current and past posts. If you are thinking of marrying a Saudi, you should try to read all of her posts...especially the ones about being married to a Saudi and living in Saudi Arabia before taking the plunge. There are many Saudi traditions and customs that you should be aware of before having children with a Saudi man---especially in case of a divorce/death of your husband, or in the rare case that he decides to take another wife. If you are a Christian, like I was when I married my husband, you should learn everything you can about Islam. Chances are, you will eventually convert, and you will have a better understanding of your husband's culture which is run by the laws of Islam.

Hi - have you heard anything about living in Rabigh? We are considering a job there. Any news would be greatly appreciated.

What is life like for American females, My soul mate is now living in Saudi Arabia can you tell me what will it be like for me if we got married and desided to live there

Nice story, my name is S and I'm from Romania, married with a saudi and living in Jeddah..what can i say , i like reading stories about expat married with saudi :)
I don't live inside a compound but i heard it's better living inside one ...anyway jeddah is a nice city , i love it ...May God bless you all

hi,

My partner is thinking of taking a job in jeddah, which i find great as i feel like living in a different country and learning its culture.
If just read all of your comments, but i still have 2 questions open.
we are not married jet, i guess that would be a problem. Would we have to marry before moving to jeddah? and about the dress requirements i understand to go covered along the streets, but what about the beaches? and the pools? i remember having seen in barcelona last summer a woman wearing her hijab going swimming! would this also count for us?

thank you so much for all the other information given.

saludos stephanie

Hello,

My husband and I are considering a job offer in Jeddah and I wonder whether the housing allowance offered to us is adequate to live a decent life in Saudi. Where can I get names of compounds? do you suggest an apartment in the city rather than a compound? Where can I get an idea of living expenses(rentals) in Saudi, so that we can make an educated decision? I lived in Saudi in the 1980's in Al Mutlaq compound, is it still open? Thanks so much for your help, Cecilia

Hallo all,

Hope you are doing all fine. I just came accross to this very interesting website. I have an option by my amanager to go to Jeddah in March / April next year and would like to get some information about the organizational things, cost of living and what to you in your free time. Perhaps you all can give me some pieces of advice. I think that my girl-friend - we are not marrierd - can not come with me. Is this correct? :-(

Best wishes from Munich,
Stefan

Ho Steffi,

I just came accross to your comment. I am also thinking about to reloacte in Jeddah and have an equal problem: I am also not married. What about my girlfriend? Can we come with me? Best wishes, Stefan

HI Stefan,

My boyfriend has asked me to marry him to make life easier. His company though told him there is the possibility of visiting him without being married with a special visa, but i could only be over for a week or so.

best regards steffi

hi.
i live in jeddah with my husband and childern for 1 year,i am so bored and want to ask about activites that i can do there,,,,,?????/thanks

I have livied in Abu Dhabi, UAE and the Emirates is oustanding. With the economic down-turn many people from Dubi have emerged in Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is the captial of the UAE. It is an oustanding place to live. Shopping is the entertainment of everyone. The beaches are outstanding and clean! While, the beaches are seperate for women and families the experince is great. I have found that shopping for food-to be well above the standards in the US. Arabs have a better diet and the food is above par. I can find British, South African and American name brands at all LuLu's (A giant Walmart's with better standards of goods and very clean)

I have been offered a post in Saudi-and I very well may take this position. I find life in the Middle East to be very secure-(I spent a year in South Korea-Clinton's visit to North Korea was viewed as an couragous step to secure Americans)

While my heart is in Abu Dhabi-my heart and life can be anywhere if you make the choice to adapt and respect the culture of the region you are in.

Kind Regards, Mary

Where can I find a lady piano tutor in Jeddah? There are keyboard tutors, but piano tutors are not available. Could you suggest? Thanq.
Bensar