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Post by newpath2012 on Mar 22, 2012 22:25:52 GMT
Which is better?
If you opted to live outside the compound (say in a villa or flat), then is housing covered. Would a percent be alotted to cover your housing.
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Post by Twofeets on Mar 24, 2012 6:04:09 GMT
I know several who live off camp and do get a housing allowance, Im not sure how they work that out however.
That being said, if you have the choice you're probably better off living on camp. Living here will put you within walking/biking distance to the gyms, pools, commissary, and other amenities. If you have a family its a much safer environment for kids as there are playgrounds everywhere, the traffic much better regulated, and the schools are much closer.
Wish I could tell you more about the amounts given to live off camp, but it's probably a case by case or salary code specific item.
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Post by SugarLandTX on Mar 24, 2012 9:56:10 GMT
If you decide to live outside the compound, you will get compensation equivalent to 3 months salary to cover for the rent. I think your kids will not be eligible to attend Saudi Aramco school. I prefer living inside the compound as it is far safer and all the facilities avaialble.
You have not mentioned where you will be located. For example if you are in Ras Tanura, then no need to look outside the compound as not much is available. If you are in Dhahran, then may be there are some nice compounds for Expats but they are definely quite expensive.
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Post by newpath2012 on Mar 24, 2012 16:41:17 GMT
thanks for the info, i am expected to be based in DH, My daughter will be entering Grade 10 next year. from what i see, there is more housing choices outside, yes more expensive, but they are bigger with better upgrades in rooms, washrooms, kitchen, etc
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Post by Overland on Mar 24, 2012 19:53:33 GMT
If you are from a non-arid area, you will feel better within the compounds. They tend to be well irrigated and green. Reminds me of Houston...architecturally and by the type of landscapes you will see. Off camp is quite arid. The buildings, ground and sky have a grey appearance Green is better than grey for me. Be prepared for a stark contrast between the "feel" of the camp compared to the areas immediately off camp. Deserts can be beautiful, but you need to be prepared for that level of appreciation.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Mar 25, 2012 7:17:13 GMT
Just to expand slightly on the Rental Assistance Allowance, the full details from the IR manual are:
This clause appears in the IR Manual for all expat payrolls except[/u] US/Canadian. There is no provision in the IR manual for US/C employees to receive rental assistance. I don't know if that means that you couldn't get it even if you wanted but in my experience it is virtually unheard of for a US/C family to live off camp.
I can confirm what Sugarland says that if you live off-camp, your children would not be eligible to use the company schools.
Once again, according to the IR manual:
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Post by vpainter on Mar 25, 2012 12:41:02 GMT
Compounds off camp would not have all the amenities you'll find in DHA. Movie Theater, women's group, pools, gyms, exercise groups, hobby shop (woodworking), art group (with kilns, pottery wheels, glass grinders, easels, ceramic molds, etc. and classes if want to learn), equestrian center, lots of self interest groups, High School student recreation center, bus to Dhahran High School furnished by Aramco and the list goes on...
Plus your wife could not drive (she can drive on camp), and your daughter could not drive when she gets her license (also on camp). On camp there are free shopping buses for her to use for going into Khobar and Dammam and the local malls while you are at work.
Yes, the houses would be bigger with much higher rent. You won't get the savings being off camp of low rent - all maintenance free, free utilities, free local telephone service and free internet (dialup) or DSL or fibrooptic at cost. Furnishings free for 3 months until your shipment arrives.
You wouldn't have the benefit of a bus to work if your car is in the shop living off camp.
Just things to think about. I have friends who have chosen to live off camp. The wife is in the camp every day looking for a friend to visit so she can have something to do because there's nothing to do in their compound. They would much rather be on camp now.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Apr 2, 2012 4:10:59 GMT
For those of you who might be interested, there has just been a change to the policy on rental allowance for Sterling/Euro payroll employees.
In addition to the unaccountable rent allowance of 3 months' salary up to a maximum of SR120,000, there will be an additional accountable portion available only if actual costs exceed the allowance, and based on a copy of the actual lease agreement, up to a maximum as follows:
Married + none or 1 child - SR 50,000
Married + 2 or 3 children - SR 70,000
Married + 4 or more children - SR 90,000
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Post by Carolina on Apr 4, 2012 14:21:31 GMT
o
For what it is worth and from our own experience we have always lived outwith a compound and that includes West Africa, Ecuador and even Qatar but here we did not hesitate to live on the compound at all - for many reasons as Vpainter has stated and other postings etc yes we do not have young children here at school but neverthless community spirit is important and being able to take on board all the facilities we are offered on the compound and to get to know other Aramcons etc.
Like the other posting has said we live here on RT and we are extremely fortunate to be by the sea and beach and with the great free schooling that is available very important (for those that have school children here etc) - we are actually very happy with our lovely town house 3 bedrooms more than enough for us and only one minute walk from the beach.
On a more serious note I feel very safe when I am out walking early in the morning or anytime during the evening so that has to account for a plus side.
Also if my husband is away on business and I need help I can turn to wonderful neighbours or even contact the security department who are always so helpful and kind etc.
For education Aramco are simply excellent with the teachers so highly committed but then again I can not speak for schools here outwith Aramco compounds etc.
Carolina
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Buster
Senior Member
Posts: 106
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Post by Buster on Apr 4, 2012 14:55:28 GMT
My recommendation would be to take the Aramco housing (compound) if you have that choice. Unless you have lived in Saudi before, it will take a little bit of time to adjust to life here and to get things done. Taking the Aramco housing will relieve you of one less initial worry.
If, after some time here, you decide that you would like to move to another compound, you will be better equipped to do so. You'll probably have transport and the opportunity to visit other compounds or housing outside will be much easier. With Aramco, you're not tied up to a time based contract.
Cheers
Buster
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Post by newpath2012 on Apr 27, 2012 18:07:15 GMT
there definitly seems to be a short supply of housing within the DH compound. I hope there is plans to enlarge it. It seems housing is given based on exactly how many bedrooms is needed. I was told that any guest(s) will have to make stay arrangements. This does not really sit well with me knowing when my aged parents come to visit that they will be in a hotel or somewhere else. Its easy in the west where we can hop on a plane and be there in a few hours, but to have aged peopled (parents) travel across the world and have them stay in a hotel because i do not have a bedroom to give them is not comforting to me and definitly will not be with my parents.
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Post by Herewego on Apr 27, 2012 18:18:17 GMT
Your parents will be allowed to stay in your house on camp. Housing warehouse will even deliver a bed for them to use while they are there. Where you put that bed is up to you. Some people put it in the office room, others in one of the larger bedrooms, there are options. Everyone I know has managed to find room in their home to have their family stay with them while visiting. Aramco will not force them to stay off camp and will even give them a temporary badge to get around with. It is not their aim to have them in a hotel.
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Post by Hadia on Apr 28, 2012 3:34:09 GMT
That's why people who choose to move to Saudi Aramco have to decide if it's the right choice for their personal situation. The company offers what I believe to be generous housing for employee and dependents. If you are planning to have houseguests who will exceed the number of bedrooms, you could could consider adding a room or converting your gae, or repurpose a study or front room as a temporary bedroom when you have guests for a few months.
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Post by GroveWanderer on Apr 28, 2012 8:02:42 GMT
Whenever my parents have come to stay, our daughter either slept with us in our room or set up a sleeping bag/mattress arrangement in the study. The last time they came, she was in Year 11 (equivalent to 10th grade).
I have known many, many people that have had their parents come to visit and on every single occasion they have had their parents stay with them in the house by making whatever arrangements were necessary within the house. Some families had 2, 3 or 4 kids but were always able to sort something out to make it work.
I've never heard of anyone having their parents stay at a hotel but if they did it would be a personal choice. Since so many other people have been able to arrange parental visits successfully in the past, I'm sure you could work out some arrangement to let your parents stay with you.
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Post by vpainter on Apr 29, 2012 17:05:45 GMT
When you have visitors come, you have to get housing to sign off on your visitors. I've never heard of them not allowing visitors, even to bachelors in their 1 BR apt or townhouse, they've had entire family stay with them. You get extra temporary beds from furniture warehouse if needed.
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