Worrying Now please help!!

Excellent, that's great that you are moving so quickly

Coming out as a single, I wouldn't ship anything. When I flew out, it was business class which allowed 3 large suitcases - 1 with clothes, 1 with books & dvds, 1 with diving gear :lol: Take the relocation money rather than the shipment, and enjoy buying some new goodies! Personal choice of course for all of that but having something to fill your spare time can be useful until you get established.

The voltage is 110v still but it's changing to 220v at some point and many people already have 220v in their kitchens.

There's plenty of transportation to get around the compound if you're coming to Dhahran - and there are also plenty of singles and new starts to help you out. Try not to worry, there's plenty of us been in that position before and survived :lol: People are very helpful as they remember their own experience

As Buster said, if you're going to DHA you should have little problem meeting people. There are a LOT of singles (men and women) in DHA.

There are buses which run around the camp regularly, they are free, and go by housing and most of the major business areas. There are taxi services available in camp as well. The taxis are VERY cheap compared to the west. (Here in RT it is SR10 for a trip in camp... $1 = 3.75 SR). There are also buses that run into the main shopping areas in Khobar (the city outside DHA) on a regular basis. These are free as well.

Last but not least, a lot of people simply hire private drivers. As with taxis, these are cheap and once you get to know a driver well it makes life so much easier as they know their way around town, know where most stores and such are, and most can even take you to Bahrain.

As far as what to bring, thats up to you. Aramco will provide you with most of the furniture you need. The main issue we've found are 110v appliances. The country as gone to 220v, but most Aramco properties are still wired 110. You can buy a TV here or bring one from home, but if you bring one remember it may not work right here. We run our TVs off a slingbox with our computers and it works just fine.

Good luck!

I arrived 19 days ago and am very happy I made the decision to come over. I too only had 5 weeks to make the move. I came with 3 dish barrel boxes and 1 suitcase. My advice is to bring microwave, toaster, blender (mine had food processor attachment), computer (laptop). You can buy many of them here but in 220v as others stated. Prices are some what higher here so it was cheaper and easier to bring what I had although I had to get microwave. Clothes are important because initially you do not want to be trying to find clothing - there is enough to do. Bring a variety and active wear - lots of active stuff going on. Bring sheets - its nice to have your own initially. The ones you will get will not be comforting. I brought pillows (used them for padding against microwave in box for airplane. I also brought nice towels. You can get most of what you need/want here except 110 appliances. I am very happy I shipped nothing and brought the boxes on the plane - no waiting, you have it when you are here and probably cheaper than shipping.

If I had known there was a 220 outlet in the kitchen I would not have brought the microwave since I could get one here. I was told some houses have them and some do not, do I brought it. Mine does have it. But there is only 1. You can always get a power strip to plug in multiple appliances and buy them here but running the microwave and others at the same time may not be possible on a power strip from 1 outlet. People are also always selling things so it is also possible to pick up used items.

I received my papers and relocation guide today so now feeling a little better about things. I know what to bring with me now just to sell the rest lol

Hi there! I am also in the process of getting stuff together for KSA. I just had my orientation and Visa Medical done last week. Been stressing out al ittle because timing wise may have me gone in the next 5 weeks. So much to think about. I too am a single female and I was very worried about moving there with such short notice. What to bring, what to do with my stuff. EEEEKKKKK!!!!Who I'm going to meet and how easy it will be to make new friends. Thanks for your post, it helped a lot.

I have been online and checked out what is available in Ikea (for a start) and almost everything you could need for the kitchen (utensils and pans etc not electrical) and rugs, throws pillows etc are all available to buy. I am just going to bring my own bed and mattress and some personal stuff , pictures etc. I am also bringing my dinner service as its a particularly good brand and very expensive

I am sure most other things can be found or alternatives for them

Good luck with the move Mchuzmix I am due to move in the next 4 weeks and from what I have seen on this site and a couple of PMs I am looking forward to the adventure of a new country, a new job and meeting lots of interesting new people