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Post by CAN2014 on Apr 21, 2014 13:46:32 GMT
Hi
Can someone confirm the availability of family housing in DHA? If DHA is full whats the next best Aramco compound option to minimize commute time - Rakah?
I received a recent offer for work in DHA and residence in ABQ. I am a Canadian residing in UK and hence went through the UK Office for interviews and offer.
I am a GC 12 on family status on Global Payroll - no kids.
appreciate your response.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 21, 2014 15:58:08 GMT
Update: Dhahran is considered full. Houses are becoming empty due to those moving out, retiring, etc, but these houses are not available until renovated. The new housing area has ground broken only - considerable time away for any houses to be put up.
As houses are renovated, Rakah residents are getting to bid on houses they are eligible for by GC and number of children and points for bidding are given for GC and date of arrival.
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Post by azraeil on Apr 21, 2014 20:48:04 GMT
Rakah is "usually" for either Americans or other nationalities with GC15+, there are those who works in the Core Area who lived in ABQ and RT before and due to their area of work (Geologist & Petroleum Engineers) were moved to Rakah eventhough they are not American nor are they GC15+
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Post by GroveWanderer on Apr 23, 2014 10:13:29 GMT
Also, as far as I am aware (and based on posts in this forum) I do not believe Rakkah has any bachelor accommodation, my understanding is that only family status employees are assigned housing there.
Edit: OK - just read a post from someone on bachelor status who is being offered temporary accommodation in Rakkah compound. There is a rumour mentioned that it may be on a sharing basis, however.
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Post by pierce3215 on Apr 23, 2014 19:11:39 GMT
If you are an American with GC 12 and two kids assigned to Rakkah, will you be "lapped" every time in the bidding process when a GC13 or higher moves to Rakkah?
I guess there is no defined process for this so probably not a very intelligent question, but I am just curious if it is wishful thinking to ever be relocated from Rakkah to Dhahran if there is a constant influx of higher GC Americans into Rakkah...
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Post by azraeil on Apr 24, 2014 16:12:16 GMT
pierce3215,
You're spot on. You get 18 points per year of service and a GC12 brings you maybe 48 points (I'm not so sure) while a GC13 comes with 64 points (not sure either but you get how the system works) so after maybe a year, a GC13 that just joined won't be able to lap you anymore in the bidding process.
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Post by O&GEngg on Apr 24, 2014 17:53:56 GMT
How about a Canadian with GC13 vs an American with GC12. Does the American take priority?
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Post by infquery on Apr 24, 2014 20:44:34 GMT
My relo told me when asked, housing is not her area, but there is actually an only american bidding list, because of the US Tax situation that is causing a hassle and needs to be handled asap. So probably yesss, a lower GC american has a huge chance to get to Dhahran before another nationality with higher GC.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 28, 2014 5:44:17 GMT
Having helped a couple of people in Rakah with this bidding process so far, Rakah U.S. residents are getting to bid on starter homes and there has been a couple of lists with only Rakah residents bidding. The Rakah residents were also being allowed to look at some homes on the regular bid list that all DHA residents who are on the bid list and eligible for the house get to bid on.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Apr 28, 2014 10:06:04 GMT
If you're talking about bid lists, then no. Housing points are not dependent on nationality.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Apr 28, 2014 10:13:55 GMT
Pretty close - a GC12 starts with 50 points, a GC13 has 65.
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Post by Vimto on Jun 2, 2014 9:51:12 GMT
we hired few americans with GC13 and they all went to Rakah camp.
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Post by O&GEngg on Jun 2, 2014 14:49:22 GMT
I'm Canadian GC13 and will be arriving in August. My relocation advisor told me that it's a 50/50 chance between ABQ and Rakah for my family and I. Originally I was going to Rakah but something must've changed and now we are assigned to ABQ but may end up in Rakah. At this point, we don't really care which community we are placed in; both have pros and cons.
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imax
Member
Posts: 33
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Post by imax on Jun 8, 2014 22:45:16 GMT
Reading the postings in this forum as well as from conversations with my ASC recruiter & RA, I understood that DHA, ABQ, & RT are considered to full. And, Al Rakah & UDH are quickly approaching at their 100% capacity.
Is Aramco currently building any new compounds or expanding the existing ones to accommodate the new hires close to their respective work locations?
I am a Canadian hire, most likely be assigned to ABQ with work location in Dhahran.
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Post by azraeil on Jun 9, 2014 4:59:57 GMT
imax,
I've heard about Aramco leasing an entire Tower near the corniche which will be known as the Dhahran Tower. Some sort of 22 storey condominium.
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