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Post by django on Aug 29, 2013 14:12:18 GMT
Hi,
I have been offered a job by Aramco in RT. Currently I'm undergoing my BI and legalization of all my papers. In the meantime I still have some questions which I hope someone can help me with.
1) If I decide to take the cash sum instead of shipping my furniture over there, is the amount sufficient to get some decent furniture in KSA? They have big shops like there is IKEA in Europe?
2) Is it always the case that I will travel before my family due to the Visa rules? Since my wife is pregnant and will deliver some weeks after I will normally join.
3) Is the supply for electrical appliances in all accommodations in RT now changed to 220V?
Are there shops with good brands to buy appliances like fridge, TV, washing machine,...
4) Are there any other members who are on Euro payroll? I have some tax related questions. Please contact me via PM
5) What is your experience with the RT schools in the compound?
Thanks.
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Post by vpainter on Aug 30, 2013 3:13:50 GMT
1) I know a few who have taken cash in lieu, they have been happy with it. Others are really glad they took the shipping and they are not having to furnish the entire house, but some things from home are coming. You should determine if you need any of your things to make it feel like home.
There is an IKEA store across from the Dhahran Mall. Depending on how much furnishings you need, the amount may or may not be enough. Will depend on your furniture tastes as well.
2). Aramco requires some employees to come first. Your recruiter would be able to tell you if your wife can come with you. You could delay your arrival until after the birth of your baby I'd think, if it is in a few weeks. Discuss this with your recruiter.
3). No, not all the homes have been switched to 220V. You can call maintenance after you arrive and get a 220v plug installed in your kitchen, if there is not one there already.
There are shops to buy good appliances. A refrigerator comes with the house, although many people have 2. We use our second one, which is ours, for drinks and condiments.
4). Not on that payroll.
5). Ras Tanura Schools are excellent. Hopefully, RT parents will chime in on this one.
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Post by django on Aug 30, 2013 13:41:48 GMT
Thank you very much for the info vpainter.
Still I am confused about the 220V...
If i will be given accommodation and all is still on 110V, it means i can't use my laptop, TV, lights, etc...
Because in all my rooms here i have at least 1 electrical appliance that needs 220V.
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Post by vpainter on Aug 31, 2013 0:52:34 GMT
All Aramco housing has always been 110/120V. In the past couple of years when the KSA government banned 110/120V has Aramco been putting 220V plugs in the homes. This will be a very long process in all 5 compounds.
There are converters/transformers available in the local community until the house you are assigned can have 220 V plugs installed.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Aug 31, 2013 12:34:09 GMT
All laptops are dual voltage since they are designed to be used while travelling around the world. Many recent TV's (if not most) are also dual voltage. Lights (at least in my experience) are usually not dual voltage so that would be an issue if you brought them - so probably a good reason not to bring them, but to buy new ones here.
As vpainter mentions, you may be able to get some 220V outlets installed (if there aren't any when you arrive) but the number of these is usually limited.
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Post by django on Sept 1, 2013 4:23:48 GMT
Thanks GrooveWanderer...
Didn't know that about laptops!
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Post by vpainter on Sept 1, 2013 6:11:35 GMT
Do look on your laptop, it will be printed on it.
Also lamps are not a problem. A 220V lamp can be plugged into a 110/120V plug with an adapter and 110V bulbs put in it. All our lamps are 220V lamps with adapters and 110V bulbs.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Sept 1, 2013 7:17:06 GMT
Well, I guess to be completely accurate, it is the power adapter/battery charger that is dual voltage and that is where you would look, to find out for sure. The laptop itself runs off a DC voltage supplied either by the battery or power adaptor (usually somewhere in the range of 7.2 - 24V DC).
I have never seen a laptop power adaptor that was not dual voltage (I suppose some very old laptop models might have had single voltage adaptors but I've never come across one).
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Post by django on Sept 3, 2013 20:10:21 GMT
Thank you for the information!  |
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Post by davemanc50 on Sept 15, 2013 14:48:01 GMT
Hi - I am due to arrive at Abqaiq in the next few weeks and was wondering about the plugs in teh houses.
With regards to the 110v plugs - can you use both 2 and/or 3 pin american plugs in the sockets? (ie some american appliances have 2 pins and some have 3 - can i use either?)
Thank-you
Dave
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Post by vpainter on Sept 16, 2013 3:51:49 GMT
Yes you can use 2 and 3 prong U.S. plugs.
Sent you an email.
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