Been in Arabia 2 weeks

Do you know what the housing is like for single males in Dhahran?

Yes, I am in DHA. I did receive a few PM's. No problem, I will answer those.

I am a very positive guy and the positives way outweigh the negatives but here are a few negatives. Dealing with different cultures with all of its issues I find being a fun positive.

- Heat. I am used to very hot environments and humidity. It is hot!
- Walking. Probably a positive. lol. At least initially, I am walking more than I am used to. That is not a bad thing I suppose. I could lose a few pounds.
- Transportation. Working around this issue until my car arrives. Eventually I will have everything .... scooter, bicycle, car then there are always taxi's (around US$3 one way in camp) and the buses (camp and going outside camp). Ladies don't seem to mind taking the buses off camp and also catches rides with males. Driving off camp is definitely a challenge.
- Frustrating at first getting the lay of the land and situated. Some things are very efficient and even more efficient than the USA but other things are a challenge.
- Sun rises at 4:30am. I didn't know there were two 4:30's in a day. lol. Aramco will install "black out" shades. Roll down shades which go over the winds. Helps but not fool proof.
- Dealing with no televison until it arrives in 3 months with my shipment. Just doing more activities at night and more internet browsing and phone time. I could stream it on my computer but I don't want to go that route.
- Camp grocery store is adequate especially for a single guy. Been to the off camp grocery store once. It was better but none of these grocery stores resemble a flagship Randalls.

Hi. Oh yah, I forgot about that negative. lol. The airport arrival. Waiting in the first timer immigration line was absolutey BRUTAL. I spent 3.5 hours in line. Seriously, it could have been a few more. The Aramco contact finally came and got me and short-cutted thank goodness. He said it has recently been this way and the software system is slow. I believe the fingerprint software system. I have been told it will be alot better when re-entering as that is a different line and that was moving faster.

Arrived Friday night around 10pm. Out of the airport around Saay 2:30am. No work Saay and relaxed and walked around. Jet lag.

Sunday orientation. All orientation is in DH. I was met at the airport by one of my colleagues. When you are given your airfare ticket by ASC, they also give you a map on how to walk from Customs to the Aramco office. Not very far. The Aramco representative will help you from there .... keys, taxi, etc. if no colleague there to greet you. I stayed in my permanent accomodations the first night.

Waiting in the first timer immigration line was absolutey BRUTAL. I spent 3.5 hours in line. Seriously, it could have been a few more. The Aramco contact finally came and got me and short-cutted thank goodness. He said it has recently been this way and the software system is slow. I believe the fingerprint software system. I have been told it will be alot better when re-entering as that is a different line and that was moving faster.


I have a multiple entry consultant visa right now. Spent 10 minutes in line the first time through in 2010. Came back in January 2012 with the same visa and waited over 2 hours. Apparently the system wouldn't take my fingerprints either. Now wondering if I will have a similar wait if I return as a full time employee with a single entry/exit visa? Hopefully my fingerprints will match...but not holding my breath for my wife as this will be her first time.

If you haven't been yet, check out Lulu for groceries. It is definitely the biggest grocery store I have ever been in. On the other hand, Super Panda is not so super.

Bicycle,

Apologies. I must have missed your post above. I have had around 20 PM's. lol. I am happy to answer all PM's. Trying to reciprocate to this process. I asked many questions the past several months. lol.

Single male housing. From what I understand, GC10 and below has a camp near the core area. My geography isn't so good right now but I believe it is a few blocks north.

GC11+. The impression I get is that housing is typically in the Hills which is a few miles away from the main camp. Of course easily accessible by bus. I hear that alot of the singles live there and many parties. Those residences for singles are typically 2 story townhouses with about 700 sq ft give or take. I had a choice of the Hills or in the main camp and I chose in the main camp for a variety of reasons.

GC10 and below for females typically is in the Ballpark which is a cluster of dormatory style buildings. Sq ft is about 400 give or take and laundry rooms are centralize in each building.

One last comment. This place is littered with rumors. Everyone has an opinion and the 30 year veterans will sometimes give you a wrong answer. Take what they say with a grain of salt. Rumor is that all future single male new hires that are non-American will be located in another camp outside of Dhahran.

Thanks for your response Key West,
I've interview for a position and am waiting (hopefully) for an offer. Not sure what my GC rate will be if hired. It wasn't leisted in the initial job description and I didn't want to bring it up during the interview.

You can bring your vitamins, spices and your protein with you in your checked luggage, no problem! We bring in food stuff all the time.