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Post by xlamina on Oct 14, 2015 2:50:23 GMT
We have decided to give it a go to our Saudi experience  , accepted the offer, received timeline and should be having induction visa/med & orientation on Nov 2nd in Houston and tentatively arriving on Dec 27. Been told by the recruiting team that we will be living first at Rakah, followed with a move to Dhahran within a 6 months to a year (GC-15) - US payroll. Most importantly we want to thank all the ones who have helped build this site as it has cleared some many questions, however, a few remain. 1) Should we bring our furniture? (know it's a personal decision, but we are picky on what we buy- blame it on our second passport) 2) How easy is to buy a car after getting the iqama? 3) Is buying a German luxury car seen as too "flashy"? (husband loves cars, so does wife) 4) Our appliances are 110v, have found conflicting posts in regards to outlets in Rakah vs. Dhahran 5) Are there any facilities or schools where we can take Arabic classes? we really feel that in order to be one with the country one must learn as much as one can including the language 6) Is getting there at the end of December 27 or so, is it an issue, how does it work for New Years eve and day, is it consider a regular workday? |
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Post by brlatm on Oct 14, 2015 22:22:31 GMT
I am in the same boat as you, medical and orientation on Nov. 2nd and tentative flyout on December 28th. I don't have a set place I will be staying as I am going over on Bachelor status and leaving the wife and kids back in Tejas. Best of luck to you guys and enjoy the adventure, I know I am getting super excited about it for sure!
BTW does anyone know of where I might be placed on Bachelor status but assigned to field based operations on a 7-3/7-4 schedule?
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Post by bogiefrommuskogee on Oct 15, 2015 11:36:59 GMT
Rakkah is furnished and Dhahran Camp is not. You can always rent furniture for Camp but it is pretty basic. Not sure where you would store your furniture for a year.
Pretty easy to buy the car once you have iqama and Saudi driving license.
Nobody will even notice your German luxury car.
Usually Khobar is 220V and Aramco is 110V although 220V outlets are being put in renovated houses or you can request them for camp.
Community Education is one option to take classes and there may also be a self-directed group.
No New Year’s vacation but you are lucky – January 1st is on a weekend this year.
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Normally bachelor housing, if on an Aramco compound, would be the camp closest to your field assigned housing but can be affected by availability. Tanajib would be associated with RT, for example.
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Post by xlamina on Oct 20, 2015 2:40:44 GMT
Greatly appreciated...
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Post by himni on Oct 20, 2015 21:03:34 GMT
brlatm,
I also am slated to attend orientation on November 2 with an ETA of December 28, but my wife and four kids are coming with me, so you'll recognize me on the plane :?
Looking forward to meeting many of you who have been so helpful on this board as we've contemplated this huge move.
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Post by expatinwaiting on Oct 21, 2015 20:42:19 GMT
himni and brlatm, Fun stuff! I'm due to fly out from Tejas with the wife and 4 kids next week, and I'm fairly certain that the airline is going to have fun with us  Also, we're availing ourselves of the airline's complimentary airport pickup/drop-off service. The gentleman on the phone assured me that they would provide 2 Escalades or 2 Suburbans, which should accommodate 6 people with 24+ pieces of baggage and dish barrel boxes; we shall see. I'll try to post a little review once we're in KSA and the dust has settled, insha. |
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Post by ToesInTheSand on Oct 22, 2015 14:50:12 GMT
Such an exciting time! We have our house up for sale today. We should hear about our visas today or monday. As soon as I know, I will unload one car with the second going a couple of days before departure. Not sure about departure date, but we are told by EOM November.
Can you give an accurate description of "dish barrel boxes" and what airline you are flying out in? Also, what the weight requirements and fees are? I want to make sure I secure the right thing while we are currently in the sorting process (take w/us, air ship, sea ship, sell, donate, trash).
-T
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Post by himni on Oct 22, 2015 18:41:27 GMT
expatinwaiting,
I'm interested to hear how it goes, since we are traveling with four as well. Also, it looked to me like the U-haul dish barrel box is more linear inches than the airlines allow. I was going to rely on the "large" box, which is a little smaller--but if the dish barrel can be brought, I'm all for it. We've all but decided to sell/donate almost everything, take the cash in lieu, and just bring our 20 pieces of luggage, or whatever.
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Post by expatinwaiting on Oct 22, 2015 19:21:35 GMT
Just sent you an email with some of the particulars.
I'm off to unload the cars today; it's painful parting with my beloved S4, but it's part of the package.
After that, we just need to have the house completely cleared and cleaned so it can be staged and odficially listed. With a family of our size, there was little point in trying to sell it before moving out.
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Post by ToesInTheSand on Oct 23, 2015 11:48:18 GMT
Thanks again. Good luck with the move!
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Post by vpainter on Oct 23, 2015 12:24:42 GMT
Unless the policy has changed, Aramco provides you transportation from the airport to the compound where you will be living.
Is this something new that you need to provide your own transportation from the airport to your new home? Are you already being given the information to give to the driver on where you will be staying?
Be sure to let your Relocation Agent know you are getting your own transportation from the airport.
Also, some of the airline transports deliver to a central location in Khobar. Be sure they are actually taking you to your house.
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Post by ToesInTheSand on Oct 23, 2015 14:25:08 GMT
vpainter
I am pretty sure he was referring to airport transfer from his Houston home to Bush airport.
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Post by vpainter on Oct 23, 2015 14:30:28 GMT
Thanks for the clarification, ToesInTheSand! I obviously was focused on arrival in KSA. LOL!
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Post by himni on Oct 23, 2015 15:48:16 GMT
expatinwaiting,
If that email reference was to me, I don't see anything in my messages--but we also may be waiting until after we leave to sell the house. It's going to be a tricky time, with our ETA during the holidays, not the most popular time to move.
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Post by ToesInTheSand on Oct 23, 2015 20:55:01 GMT
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, accepted the offer, received timeline and should be having induction visa/med & orientation on Nov 2nd in Houston and tentatively arriving on Dec 27. Been told by the recruiting team that we will be living first at Rakah, followed with a move to Dhahran within a 6 months to a year (GC-15) - US payroll. 
