Advise needed urgently

Hi Scott,

I'm not yet living in Saudi (waiting on visa), but maybe some of this will help:

It sounds like there is a lot for women to do, at least on the bigger compound. Someone posted some activities that you can see here: viewtopic.php?f=73&t=122803&sid=a943e3608e9f7f3d41a14b0236b73feb#p146081 . There are buses that go back and forth in-between Dhahran and Rakkah.

As for driving on Rakkah, I'm not sure, but in 2011, I think before the existence of Rakkah, someone posted on this forum that "3. Yes, women can drive on any of the Aramco compounds: DHA, RT, ABQ, UDH with the driver's license from your home country or an international driver's license." viewtopic.php?f=13&t=91306&p=106507&hilit=women+driving&sid=072f859b2996258c6ac7f0a95f8751bd#p106507

If we end up in KSA, I (female dependent) intend to get involved with the Aramco community. I may also apply for casual work with Aramco or do casual work on the compound. Community involvement won't erase culture shocks and difficult feelings or necessarily replace family and home country longings, but I assume it could help in making KSA feel more like home.

All the best to you and your wife for whichever path you follow.

Scott,

Have they told you that you'd be housed in Rakkah and working in Tanajib? I may be wrong, but Rakkah is a new compound that was set up for Dhahran overflow. Most of the people I know in Tanajib have their families housed in Ras Tanura...

** edit, nevermind, I just read about the 3BR housing shortage in RT, perhaps thats why they've changed things...

1 I will be working away from home during the week 2. What is the life like for women ? I am supposed to be working away from home during the week in tanajib so obviously worried regards my wife being on her own , any advise would be appreciated is there other people in this situation in Rakah where the husband is away. What is the life like for women?
-- Its what she makes of it. Many wives here seem to be just fine.

2 would my wife be bored in the compound ?
-- It is what she makes of it. There are plenty of activities and even more on DHA.
3 is it possible for her to drive within the compound
Yes.
4 what is the quality of life like for women in Rakah
Yikes, maybe aramco is not for u? I would worry more if you can both handle the change to living in Saudi.
5 we have 2 dogs would there be somewhere for her to excercise them throwing a ball ?
We have parks. Yes.
6 is the compound safe
Is DHA safe? We have guards.
7 what is the social life like is there a strong expat community
What you make of it. If your expecting to be spoon fed, then I guess you can be a hermit.
8. How big is the compound would she feel claustrophobic? Is the compound big enough that you really wouldn't need to leave it as obviously my wife wouldn't be able to drive?
There are plenty of buses off-site and taxies are cheap.
9. Would she be able to get the driver to take her to the mall and able to shop alone safely
The ladies here take buses or taxis all the time.
10. Is there a lot of British expats on the compound
Yes.
11 if there is anyone else living there that works away during the week I'd love to know how this works ie when do you get home/ leave again
Take bus - early bus to get to work on time and take the bus right after work to head for home.

Just know having lived in other parts of the Middle East is not living in Saudi Arabia. It will be different. If you don't have expectations it will be like where you lived before, you will do fine.