|
|
Post by principe.azzurro69 on May 18, 2013 12:19:44 GMT
Hi there, I have received SA's offer, should be working in DHA and living there too, even if in the first weeks/months apparently I'll have to stay or in RT or ABQ. Status is bachelor, male.
Since I have been traveling, working and living in other Middle Eastern countries before, I am asking myself if it is not more convenient to live outside a compound. The reason for this is simple: as a European, I am a little afraid of living in a "fenced community" made of - I presume, please correct me if I am wrong - mostly Americans. I never was a friend of "community life" with all the activities and stuff they offer you. Living in an Arizona-suburb-style place - this is my impression by now of the compounds, taken mostly from the photos and the stories I read here and elsewhere - I fear could be a little depressing on the long run. This is not meant as criticism or anything, it's just how I feel about it right now.
So I have been thinking to live in the "real world", meaning outside the compounds. Is there anyone here who has experience with this and could give me some advise on this? And what should I do before I get there, should I bring up this question with me recruiter? Thanks very much!
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on May 18, 2013 17:27:13 GMT
Definitely a wrong conclusion. Every Aramco compound is multi-national. DHA is about 55% Saudi and the other 45% is from all over the world. Americans make up a very small percentage at least in DHA. No offense taken.
|
|
|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on May 18, 2013 17:43:29 GMT
I would advise you to move into the compound, and then look at housing options outside of Aramco. If you come with housing, you won't have any problems to move out, but if you arrive with no housing, you'll be stuck in a hotel/hotel apartment until you get your own place, and it would be difficult to move into the compound if you didn't like living outside. Also, apartments/flats/villas generally require you to pay 6 months or 1 year rent up front, which can be difficult when you first move here.
|
|
|
|
Post by GroveWanderer on May 19, 2013 20:03:35 GMT
There is very little housing suitable for expats which is not in a compound setting. Even if you lived "off camp" you would almost certainly still be living in a compound.
In which case you would be in a much more restricted environment than in company housing, with a much smaller living area within the compound, more restricted facilities and usually predominantly western residents. I don't know of anyone that has chosen to live off camp because of perceived advantages in the lifestyle (except for some people who moved to Bahrain) the main reason is to be closer to where you work, for people in the situation you mention, where you are working in Dhahran but assigned housing in RT or Abqaiq.
I have lived in various different locations at different times, in different parts of the kingdom, including non-Aramco housing in such places as Al-Khobar, Dammam, Rahima, Yanbu and Jeddah. I've also lived in Dhahran and Ras Tanura. Of all the places I've lived, the company compounds have always offered the best living environment, in my opinion.
Everyone is different and maybe your experience would not match mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by Boquillas on May 25, 2013 4:40:33 GMT
The "real world" here is on the main camp. KSA is a completely different planet outside the fences. Inside it is beautiful and clean and built for the outdoors sports enthusiast. You will be sorely disappointed in any other accomodation. All the bachelors here love it and head off to Bahrain frequently for a dinner or brunch. Why dont you come check out Khobar and Dammam first before you decide if you want to live outside camp - thats the best advice. And no offense taken I am sure we would not want to be "fenced in" with a bunch of italians.
|
|
|
|
Post by bogman on May 29, 2013 13:23:34 GMT
The suggestion that you stay in company accommodation initially is good advice. Camp can be a bit "Stepford wives" but it is generally pleasant and secure allowing you time to settle.
If you are working in Dhahran then an option may be for you to live in Bahrain and commute over the causeway to/from work. It will take you 1-1.5hrs each way and can take 3 or more hours at busy times but you can live in a 'normal' apartment with all the amenities and access to bars etc.
This raises the question of whether Aramco would contribute to your housing off-camp as a Bachelor status employee.
|
|
|
|
Post by cocorico on Jul 3, 2013 14:34:19 GMT
Dear all and GroveWanderer,
Do you know any Aramcons living in Bahrain ? I would be very interested to meet them to understand how they manage this and how they got the Bahrain residency visa.
Thank you
|
|
