|
|
Post by New2 on Nov 18, 2011 4:45:31 GMT
My relocation advisor told me, Aramco is finalizing my housing. Actuallay I hate that word. How long it takes for this "finalizing" in your experience ? I want my family to come ASAP. Do you think would make a different in the process ?
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Nov 19, 2011 5:34:01 GMT
Housing is just part of the process for everyone. And like all things Aramco, everything has a department that takes care of each part. So housing has now been given your information - this is only done upon completion of all the other requirements and you're for sure coming. They then go through the housing inventory and find a home that is equivalent to or better than the home you are eligible for, they then go furnish it according to the number in your family and stock it with linens, kitchenware, etc. That's why its called finalizing your housing.
All housing in Aramco is supposed to be newly renovated between each occupant. It could be they are waiting for your house to be complete, or it could be there are quite a few new hires coming in and they are having to be sure they meet everyone's needs as they assign houses.
|
|
|
|
Post by iraksllew on Nov 22, 2011 16:06:15 GMT
Thank you, vpainter, for mentioning rennovations. As someone who takes pride in interior decorating, I'm a bit scared to see what awaits me. (I have nightmares of rose-colored carpet and green formica countertops!) I am not so shallow or ungrateful to realize how fortunate I am to be receiving compound housing; I just like modern, clean lines.
What do the apartments typically look like? As a single female, I understand I'll be in the family section - does that mean I stand a chance of a bigger place rather than a studio? Do they have balconies? Is there sufficient furniture? What is the quality and quany of the dishes, towels, sheets, etc.?
Thanks!
k.
|
|
|
|
Post by teebee on Nov 27, 2011 7:26:03 GMT
The quality of the sheets/towels Aramco provide upon your arrival is very poor. If you appreciate good bedding, bring decent stuff with you, you might spontaneously combust given the polyester content in the Aramco sheets. Towels are also very thin.
If you're coming over as a profession single female (grade code 10+), you will probably have a 2 level house with bedroom/bathroom upstairs. They're small, but not too bad, but don't expect anything contemporary. The kitchens usually have the most revolting heavily varnished wood cupboards (think 1960s). You will also have a small patio area with sliding doors from the living area.
I've tried to attach a photo showing the type of furniture you're likely to have, but I'm not sure if it's worked.
|
|
|
|
Post by Carolina on Nov 27, 2011 10:30:43 GMT
o
When one is allocated a house or a smaller house for either families, a couple or a single person you will have an empty canvas to work on - what I mean is that the carpet will be a soft beige and the walls will all be painted a sort of cream colour - which is easy on the eye.
The last posting is quite correct do take your own pillows, bedding, towels etc as the quality here is appalling - I made the mistake of taking nothing and I had to spend an awful lot of money in Khobar at the London White Company just to get good quality bedding and towels - some people are ok with what they are given but for me I do like good bedding and towels and also pillows as well.
That is quite right that the cabinets in most of the kitchens are varnished to a light or dark brown but these can be painted over into whatever colour you wish - it is quite amazing what can be done - also you can make your house/apartment very much your own - i.e. choose what colour of walls you wish and of course great things can be done with even having a very small garden - we have a small garden but we have now got a lovely pond with Koi fish, an arbour and have tiled part of our garden as well - for low maintenance and at the front of our house we have made our graden into a desert garden - so again low maintenance - with some flair and style it is quite amazing what one can do..
My friends here on RT have the same size of house that we have and it is quite amazing how different their houses look with colour and furniture etc.
There is an art teacher here on RT and she has single accommodation i.e. one bedroom house and she has made it into something spectactular - and with great style etc.
However when one leaves Aramco one must return it to the same cream walls etc as you would have found it on your arrival.
Hope this helps
Kind Regards
Carolina
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Dec 2, 2011 2:27:39 GMT
Just an FYI: In DHA, housing is doing away with non approved housing changes. A few people have put in eye sores and it has stopped it for everyone. You can make changes, you just have to go through housing and get approval. But that's not bad in a way, you don't have to undo anything when you leave.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiko on Dec 9, 2011 11:32:08 GMT
Hi,
I do have a questions about housing.. I am from US and I have an offer with GC 15 (which according to what I have been reading makes an impact on the housing). If we decide to go, it will be my wife, my daughter and me.
So the question is.. what size and type of house we may get? how many BR/Bth? Modular or town house? with gae for how many cars?
What type of school experience do you have (my daughter is 15th). What about the Dhahran high school? or boarding?
I will really appreciate the comments.
Thanks!
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Dec 27, 2011 21:03:33 GMT
A GC 15 with one child will receive a a 2 bedroom townhouse or better. the townhouses have 2 1/2 baths
All houses have a one car gae. People do have 2 cars and park one in the driveway or on the street; and if they built in the gae, they are both on the street/driveway.
If in the 9th grade, your daughter will be at the Aramco Jr. High. Then she can attend the Dhahran High School - a college preparatory school. Or the Bahrain Defense High School - board during the week and home on weekends.
Or any boarding school in the world. Aramco pays up to a certain amount and will be listed in your relocation guide under EAP.
Schooling for your daughter is your family's choice.
|
|
