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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Jun 11, 2015 3:21:53 GMT
I agree with a lot of what Shammal has said with a couple of exceptions. New construction is going more slowly than originally planned but I changed houses last year and my old house was renovated in 3-4 weeks. I believe they prioritize family housing for renovation as it is more in demand. It does seem that benefits are progressively being reduced with merit increases and EAP assistance as examples. The demographics and hence lifestyle have changed significantly over the years. One point where I will diverge with Shammal is the world class teachers. My kids grew up in Aramco schools so I have run across a lot of teachers. There are some excellent teachers here of that there is no doubt. But there are many that simply phone it in and unfortunately there seems to be little accountability. I do wish teachers were held a little more responsible for their performance. Reward the good ones and replace the bad ones would be ideal but that never happens in actuality. I sent my kids out before 9th grade at my expense and it was worth it. I believe it is especially challenging for teenagers to live here.
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Post by detfans on Jun 11, 2015 5:40:30 GMT
Shammal, Unfortunately, the bid that you mentioned "first in/first out" is for your first permanent accomodation, but is always affected by you GC, even for US passport holders. Lower GC US passport holders (11 to 13) are being allocated in Rakah and included in a temporary bidding list for Dhahran, where they will receive house based on the waiting time and family size. Higher GC's (14+) get houses in main camp faster, some might actually get Dhahran upon arrival. Right now, there are looots of "misplaced" families in the tower and Radium, families of 4, 5 or even 6 people :shock: in 2 bedroom apartments. We all, except 14+GC people, were include in a temporary bidding list for permanent accomodation, with the size we were offer (ironic right?), where the position in the list is based in waiting time, and number and gender of children (family of 4 with a boy and a girl are higher in the list than a family with two boys/girls). After completing 2 years, we all get the chance to enter the bidding list, but people with more points will get houses faster, doesn't matter if we've been waiting since forever... that is why i said you only get into the bidding list, you will bid, might get it or not. With all the people that got here in the last few years I imagine it will be a bidding war  |
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Wutz
Senior Member
Posts: 143
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Post by Wutz on Jun 11, 2015 8:17:49 GMT
One important thing to know about 'bidding' for housing is that it's not really bidding in the traditional sense. If you win a bid and take the house, you don't actually lose the points that you 'bid'. As a result, people that have been employed by Aramco the longest (and note that there are some Saudis that begin their 'employment' with Aramco when they are accepted into Aramco's college preparatory program while they are still in High School) will always stay at the top of the bid lists. There are some families (not all, and maybe even not many) that will bid every couple of years for nicer and nicer houses. Unless you're coming into Aramco at the VP level (don't laugh - there have actually been a couple of expats doing so in the last few years), you're not likely to ever live in one of the nicer houses on camp (which is not to say the other houses aren't decent - but they're by no means impressive either).
Wutz
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Post by durlan on Jul 1, 2015 3:59:39 GMT
I am joining Aramco on EASTERN PAYROLL.
I have been advised that my family shall be living Off-camp and a Rental Assistance Allowance shall be paid 3x my basic salary to search for housing in local community. Nothing further is mentioned in the relocation guide or the offered contract. In another discussion on the subject, I came across information like "Family status employee gets an unaccountable RAA equal to 3x his basic salary and is ALSO enled to an Accountable RAA (including the Unaccountable RAA) depending on the size of his family".
My question, Is this policy still available now and does it apply to EASTERN PAYROLL or not.
Although I am from an Asian country but right now I am enjoying Company provided fully furnished accommodation and the budget I am getting as RAA in Aramco is not at all able to fetch me a similar housing in KSA. Feeling sad!
Can someone please guide me on this! Thanks alot
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Post by ahmoushy on Jul 1, 2015 4:48:56 GMT
Different payrolls have different allowance. From my understanding, Asian allowance is 3 month base salary with no cap (it is unaccountable, you take it even if your rent is less) or minimum of 20,000 rials for bachelor or 30,000 rials for family per year. Housing is a big challenge here due to the large influx of people and other reasons. Taking the Relocation allowance disqualifies you from sending your kids to Aramco schools. You need to take all things into consideration and way your options before accepting. Like all things, there is good and bad.
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Post by nallebjorn on Jul 9, 2015 10:14:41 GMT
Hi.
I am UK resident and due to make the move to KSA within two months. My family's visa process will start later on.
I have two queries:
1- Will Saudi Aramco enable me to acquire a house in any private compound in KSA directly after my arrival even if my family will join me later on?
2- What is the process for acquiring house privately. I have heard that 10% deposit is usually asked by the landlords/property managers to be paid in advance. Will the company reimburse this extra cost?
Regards,
Nallebjorn
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Post by vpainter on Jul 15, 2015 17:00:31 GMT
Landlords usually ask for 6 months to a year's rent up front. There are a few non-Aramco companies who have agreements with a few landlords for 3 months up front.
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Post by kiterunner88 on Jul 18, 2015 6:37:38 GMT
This is very helpful. Finally received the final offer the other day following 2 negotiations/revisions.
Housing accommodation is indeed a very gray area even in the final offer. Over the phone, RA advised that the offer aligned well with what has been widely discussed here, off-camp housing that's 3X the base pay. When I came over to the office to sign, the offer stated otherwise - I will be accommodated in an Aramco-leased residential compound. Sadly though, RA could not clearly verbalize and confirm where will it be. Went through all the threads here and I am almost 100% sure that it can never be inside Dharhan compound. If everyone's bidding for a house there, what are the chances of a newcomer to land in one? As a bachelor, it can't be at the Dharhan Tower either as the smallest unit has 2-bedrooms. Too large, I'd rather offer that to families with kids. That leaves me guessing The Radium. The studio with the balcony seems perfect but then again, I still wouldn't know if Aramco would really put me there.
Any other idea where Aramco usually send the bachelors? Solitary life requires more comfortable and even more livable set-up than the avee if only to remain sane and happy. Thanking in advance.
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Post by nallebjorn on Jul 20, 2015 9:38:41 GMT
vpainter
Thanks for the information.
Any requirement of security deposit that landlord will keep during the tenancy period?
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Post by durlan on Jul 24, 2015 16:13:11 GMT
I will be flying out to join Saudi Aramco in Mid September. We have to arrange housing out of camp against the Housing Allowance provided by SA and we have been advised that a Local Lease Help Office in Al-Mujamma shal help us find a suitable housing as per our preferences and budget.
Does anyone here know what is the scope of this Help Office and do they have any special arrangements with the local real estate agents for accommo......... SA Staff. More specifically, if an apartment in a compound is quoted as 100,000 SAR per year to me as a walk-in customer, can I expect a special discount if I approach this property through the SA Local Lease help office?
Thanks in advance
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Post by vpainter on Jul 28, 2015 19:42:44 GMT
nallebjorn, sorry, I do not know about any security deposits required in the local community.
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Post by Phoenix on Aug 31, 2015 11:36:59 GMT
I have mere days to my departure and as yet no word on my accommodation. Raising my level of anxiety considerably :cry: .
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Post by CalWorPar on Aug 31, 2015 14:49:14 GMT
I am Canadian on Global Payrole, going through BI at the moment. ASC relocation advisor has made it very clear that,
1) ARAMCO will provide RAA (Rental Assistance $) and I will have to find accommodation myself outside ARAMCO compounds.
2) ARAMCO will provide EAP & I will have to arrange for school for my kids outside ARAMCO schools.
3) I alone will travel to KSA first & then sponsor my family which usually takes about 2-3 months from my arrival in KSA.
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Post by VictorRaj on Sept 1, 2015 18:34:21 GMT
CWP,
For Canadians normally the company provides accomodation in one the available compounds in Khobar. The concept of RAA for canadians in global payroll started recently (less than 2 years) but it was an option if you don't want to take the accomodation offered. May be all compounds are already fully booked and hence the decision to make your own arrangements for accomodation.. But it shouldn't be a problem finding a good accomodation outside.
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Post by detfans on Sept 2, 2015 15:54:16 GMT
Considering Radium tedy, housing is only dedicated to allocate survivors, so maybe the answer about your location won't come as soon as expected
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