Relocating from UK - I.T Consultant

vish
Newbie

Posts: 1

Relocating from UK - I.T Consultant Feb 26, 2012 20:01:11 GMT

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Post by vish on Feb 26, 2012 20:01:11 GMT

o All,

I have been offered an IT SAP contract by one of the large consulting companies to work on an Aramco project.I am a UK resident with wife and a 5 year kid. Would appreciate if someone can clarify my queries to help me decide to make this move or not:

A. Is there a possibility of getting a house inside the Aramco compound ? I know my recruiter would try anything possible to help me get there as I am very critical for this project (without sounding prude

) and have been told things are different for each case, so it might work. I am negotiating to get accomodation inside Aramco compound to make life easier for my family, so any tips/suggestions on how to go about it are VERY welcome.

B. Could the lifestyle for family be the same in any other compound if I hire a villa or house in a non-aramco compound? How much would it cost to rent a villa / 3 bed house in one of the good compounds in Dahran?
Some people have suggested to make a move to Saudi only if I get accomodation within Aramco compound - is this a bit of exaggeration ?

C. My son is in the end of 1st form(grade). Can he seamlessly continue schooling there if he joins in the middle of the term? Would I be eligible for Aramco schools ? - though i understand i'd have to pay it fully.

D.My wife is expecting the second child (though quite a while to go), so would I be able to use the Aramco hospitals ? Any info about insurances / hospitals / facilities compared to UK / europe / US are greatly welcome.
Again, I'd not be an Aramco employee, so things might be different perhaps?

Sorry for putting so many questions, but hope someone can help and might be our angel in disguise

.
Many Thanks ,
Vish

vpainter
ExPats Administrators

Moderator

Posts: 3,701
Job Status: None of the Above

Relocating from UK - I.T Consultant Feb 29, 2012 7:34:28 GMT

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Post by vpainter on Feb 29, 2012 7:34:28 GMT

A lot of negotiating required for all the things you'd like to have as a contract worker.

Contract workers normally live outside the compound, with a few exceptions (you could possibly be one) - of course no one on the forum could tell you if you would be.

Normally contract workers do not have family status with Aramco, but you could through your own company.

Normally contract worker's children would not have access to Aramco schools or the Aramco Hospital. King Saad Hospital in Khobar is highly recommended, we've even used it while having access to Aramco Hospital.

If you pm'd me your email address and permission to give your email address to a friend of mine she could send you general info on prices for places outside Aramco.

Lifestyle outside of Aramco camps would not be the same as inside. Your wife would be unable to drive in the camps outside Aramco. Different compounds outside Aramco do have different amenities, so you'd have to select one with some of the things you'd like to have. We have many friends who live outside of Aramco and don't work for Aramco, or are contract workers and they seem to enjoy living here as well. A couple those friends have been here over 10+ years.

henpecked
Member

Posts: 31

Relocating from UK - I.T Consultant Feb 29, 2012 9:00:54 GMT

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Post by henpecked on Feb 29, 2012 9:00:54 GMT

Hi there
Humm! What can I say to help? We are Brits, we are on Dhahran compound but our kids go to Dhahran British Grammar School (DBGS),which is off camp as so, therefore, we know a fair number of families who live off camp.
To be honest my kids would rather live off-camp than on as kids always want to be with their friends. For a 5 year old life on ANY compound would be great! They all have pools, playgrounds, tennis courts and the kids can play out with their friends safely. Compared to the UK, life here for a kid is great. If you want a British school and friends at the British school - Oasis Gardens actually has a British school on it (BISAK). Pretty much all of the compounds (Zamils, Lotus, AlRachid and Oasis) have free buses which run everyday to DBGS. I don't know much about BISAK but DBGS is a lovely friendly school - it runs British curriculum right up to Yr 11.
As far as your wife goes things may be a little different. Compound life is comfortable, pampered but can be very restricted. Most compounds run free buses to the malls and shops every day and local taxis are always available (On Aramco they can be difficult to book). But there is not always a lot for the wives to do on the compound all day! It's a bit like being on permanent holiday (go to the pool, go to the pool, or go to the pool!!!) The benefit of aramco is there is a wider variety of activities and many more women to socialise with. Of course, if your wife likes to socialise, keep fit; wants to do a correspondence course, get seriously into a hobby or is pro-active enough to carve herself out a role then this doesn't apply. I've been down the hobby route, which was loads of fun and am now subbing at the school (I am a qualified teacher) which is great. The kids were saying yesterday how glad they were that we had come - mainly because of school (they are 14 and 16)! But life here won't suit everyone!