|
|
Post by Texas on Dec 4, 2011 19:43:31 GMT
Greetings folks,
I received good offer from Saudi Aramco and in the process of completing the paperwork. I spent hours reading thru this forum and indeed kudos for those who were kind enough to share their experience.
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Dec 6, 2011 12:26:32 GMT
Welcome to Aramco!
1. The homes have central heat and air; no need for electric heaters.
2. Renovated homes usually have tile in the living areas and carpet in the bedrooms.
3. Yes, your wife may drive on the compound.
4. You can set up a direct deposit to either of them, just bring the routing info with you.
5. The compound has shuttle buses that run on a schedule several times during the day, every day. There are 3 taxi companies on camp - 10SR/anywhere on camp. A co-worker would be glad to assist you - don't hesitate to ask.
6. The music CD's and DVD's may be looked at. I'd bring them in with you in checked or carryon luggage. Then if they are looked at, you'll be right there with them. The only ones checked in my son's 100's of music CD's were the ones he'd burned himself and didn't have a label on them.
He was allowed to keep them all. Someone else in custom's at the same time, had 2 taken - I don't know what they were.
7. If you want a gae door opener it would be best to bring one in with you.
8. Each employee is allowed 2 pets, so yes, you can bring your 2 cats. Be sure to follow the relocation guide completely for paperwork. Also there are companies who help with pet shipping - you can search the forum and find the information on one that is used frequently.
9. Yes, there is a large hardware store in Dhahran Mall - SACO World. Also, hardware shops in the souq area of Khobar.
10. If they are in your shipment or ebox, they will go through customs without you. If they come as part of your luggage, they will go thru customs with you. They will probably not be checked either way, but there's always a could be.
11. A new hire told me recently, she wished she'd been told to bring her small kitchen appliances - coffee machine, toaster, microwave (these can be purchased here, but not a lot of choice). There are several discussions on the forum regarding this topic.
|
|
|
|
Post by Julz62 on Dec 6, 2011 13:09:39 GMT
Sent you a PM.
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Dec 6, 2011 15:08:33 GMT
It may not have come through yet since I have not received it. Feel free to email me: vpainter29@yahoo.com |
|
|
|
Post by Texas on Dec 7, 2011 1:46:04 GMT
Thank you vpainter for your response.
|
|
|
|
Post by UmmRiyam on Dec 10, 2011 12:05:22 GMT
I would recommend bringing a steam mop if you have room for it. I personally hate mopping, and the steam mop makes it so much easier. It may not be necessary if you don't have kids though, but with two little ones my floors need cleaned a lot.
|
|
|
|
Post by Hadia on Dec 11, 2011 6:53:25 GMT
I SO wish I had bought one of those when we came over. The fine dust and sand are a daily nuisance, and the steam mop sure would have been a handy thing.
|
|
|
|
Post by David_and_Nita on Dec 11, 2011 15:01:38 GMT
I am from Texas, USA. Do I need to bring with me electric heaters?
No, homes have central heat
2) I was told that my family status will get me 3-bedroom house. Do current remodeling still contain carpet, if so I will bring both a vacuum and a carpet steamer..I have both already.
Do you to remember a big supply of vacuum bags. They are hard to get here
3) I am bringing my car with me. Can my wife drive within the compound?
Yes
4) I currently bank with Chase and Wells Fargo. Can I direct deposit with them or do I need to open an offshore.
We still bank in Texas. You can set up direct - deposit from day one
5) Without having a car to start with, how did you manage going to the supermarket for groceries.
Taxis, or we walked. Taxis are pretty easy to get and they are 10 riyals ($3) in camp and around 15 to go out of the camp
6) My kids have tons of DVDs and music CDs, I also have thump drives with programs and data. Do these get scrutinized by the customs.
We have never had anything scrutinized by customs but it can happen. We didnt bring any DVD's but we transferred our music first to our PC/ipods in case they might show interest in them. I have never had any interest shown in our external drive or thumb drives.
7) In my orientation in Houston, the lady from Aramco suggested that I take with me a gae opener. Is that still the case?
My wife is married to our gae opener LOL. Yes that is a handy thing to pack
Can I bring my two cats?
Its done but I am not sure how
9) Is there a hardware store to buy door knobs, screws, etc.
Yes that stuff is available all over the place
10) I am going to bring my computers. Do they go thru customs inspection?
We bring our laptop in and out all the time, they have never checked it. Doesnt mean someday they won't. Our PC was in our ebox and there is no evidence they checked it.
11) Are there other things that you said, " I wish I could have brought such and such ...?
LOL see above note about vacuum cleaner bags. Best of luck to ya!
|
|
|
|
Post by Monique Van Rensburg on Mar 4, 2013 9:17:16 GMT
Good morning
I am a future Aramco Expat and was wondering if i can bring my external Hard drive with and if I should put it in my hand luggage or checked in luggage?
Since I probably wont have tv for awhile I have my movies and music on here.
Thanks so much.
|
|
|
|
Post by vpainter on Apr 6, 2013 18:25:56 GMT
Yes, you can bring it in checked or carry on and it most likely will not be looked at. I say most likely because if they wanted to they could check it.
|
|
