DesertExpat | ExpatWoman.com
 

DesertExpat

DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 January 2018 - 21:24
I'd have thought most stuff is available. But https://www.britishcornershop.co.uk deliver world wide
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 November 2017 - 17:54
I think if you are GCC residents, it's still 5 OMR (50 DHS). https://fridaymagazine.ae/travel/oman-visa-fees-unchanged-for-gcc-residents-1.2027549
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 October 2017 - 19:42
Which country/area?
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 September 2017 - 12:52
Distressed jeans available in Next Bahrain!
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 September 2017 - 20:17
I wouldnt wear shorts out and about - and definetly not for work! Cut out shoulders you will probably get away with evenings and weekends, but it might attract attention. Not for work. Yes to dresses, but not too short, not skin tight, not see through and not massive cleavage. Basically, conservative. Strongly suggest covering shoulders and knees at all times. You will see less coverage but it's not advised, and may randomly cause issues. The temperature is dropping rapidly. If you are here in November, you may experience some heavy rain. And if the temp drops below about 25C, those aclimitised to the place will be in their winter woolies!!!!
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 May 2017 - 11:14
Look up a skills based CV. It will allow her to take the parts of her job that are relevant to the new job, and format it to the potential job that way. She will have to write a new one for every style of job, as well as tweek it for each job. A pain, but worth it when you want a career change.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2017 - 06:46
http://kellymom.com is my go to place for breastfeeding information. Congrats to your friend.:flower:
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2017 - 12:32
Does this picture help? http://ae.tixuz.com/all-rest/terim-electric-cooker-in-good-condition-90-x-60-size-low-price-made-in-italy-brand/123355
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 March 2017 - 13:39
We used Pickford's International to get to Saudi. Very happy.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 March 2017 - 13:41
From the Saudi side, GAC, East to west, and four winds are the names which constantly come up. Have you tried getting someone from Saudi?? JNT in Dubai are also mentioned, but not sure if they would do Qatar to KSA. Good luck
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 February 2017 - 10:59
Honestly, there are loads of compounds in Khobar (Damman I don't know as well). Look at where your husband works, and start searching for compounds near there, or a school you are interested in if you have kids. Also factor in your housing allowance - some are more expensive than others! nb prices on the web are not reliable. I'd recommend your husband talking to the guys when he gets to work (or are you coming over together?) and investigating from there. You will be able to do very little without being in Kingdom, and websites aren't the most up to date, so being there is person is essential, IMO.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 October 2016 - 09:58
Hey, in the absence of other replies (the Saudi board is very quiet), I can offer information on the East Coast. I'm guessing your off to Jeddah??
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2016 - 19:41
Have you got a visa for Saudi? Or a GCC passport? Driving through Saudi is fine, tho the roads/ traffic are generally better in other GCC countries. But getting into Saudi is hard, unless your a GCC national.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 September 2016 - 13:50
We moved with Pickford's International from UK to ME, and couldn't fault it.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 August 2016 - 12:15
We used Pickford's international out to the Middle East last year. Highly recommended.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 June 2016 - 18:55
It's difficult to get permission for a female to sponsor the rest of her family in KSA. The more senior you are, the more possible it might be, if your employer is on board with it. Would you be offered company accommodation ?? If so, you need to ask them about arrangements. On your own, I only know of family or single person units. I'm sure there is shared accommodation available tho. How will you get to work if not placed by the company? The asthma sounds scary. You need to decide if you can live on your own, with phone contacts if needed. Certainly, if you were my neighbour, I would tell you to ring, and i would come straight over if needed - understanding you are unlikely to be able to talk, would placing a silent call to someone be possible?
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2016 - 16:27
Are you male or female? Unless given Aramco camp accommodation, I really wouldn't fancy being a single female here. I believe Aramco have stopped new recruitment, so the number of vacancies to be filled is rapidly diminishing. The oil price has had a massive influence on all roles out here. Very few are recruiting, many are cutting back. Things to do out here... shop, eat, sleep, work, excerise if you have access to a ladies gym /pool. Great for family time. I suspect your greatest obstacle will be applying as a female, or with a degree/ equalivent experience they don't understand. If your dead set on Aramco, join their forum. More likely to get accurate responses there.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 May 2016 - 10:26
Moonpig, funkypigeon, Marks and Spencer (think most contain alcohol tho), Thornton's, Debenhams (small box chocs), interflora allows "extras" to be added (balloons, chocolates, teddies).
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 May 2016 - 08:56
I'm over on the other coast. High quality primary places are very hard to get. I suspect if they will accept you to start in Jan (I'm guessing you want to finish the school year in Aus first?) you will need to pay for the whole year. But ultimately you are going to have to ask the school. We struggled to secure anything without the kids in Kingdom, as they wanted an assessment, and a pretty prompt start after offer (we didn't apply in the normal rounds- typically application are made in Jan for the following Aug/Sept, with assessments in March /April/May). I don't know if Jeddah is as over subscribed for school places tho.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 April 2016 - 10:17
Yes, Abaya required at all times.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 April 2016 - 18:25
The KSA board is very quiet, so here are my thoughts, tho I am based in the East, and not Riyahd. I assume you mean 10,000SAR/ month? I realise your not there yet, but school fees will take a considerable amount of that. The cheaper end of international schools are 20,000/year. I know compound housing will be out of your price range, but don't know what a flat would cost. 3 bed flats on the coast are around 70,000/year. I don't know how prices in the capital compare. You then need to add on insurance, transport and food. And a chunk of savings, which is the main reason people come to Saudi. I wouldn't want to be restricted to 10,000/ month, and we have housing, medical, utilities and schooling provided. But we don't think about what we spend, and could cut back if required. Life is cheaper than in Dubai. How does the salary compare to his UAE salary?
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2016 - 09:05
Is he aware if the recent restrictions in Jeddah? http://www.arabnews.com/featured/news/894391 Think of types of driving he might do, and hence integregity of 4WD needed (not all 4WD is equal on desert driving). Check he can get the title if it is imported - can't be transfered for a period of time post importation (3yrs???). There are cheeper SUV's than the Land Cruiser, but it is very popular.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 March 2016 - 08:21
You can fly to Ryiadh from Bahrain!
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 March 2016 - 20:14
You will need to read your Husbands offer letter carefully. I'm in KSA. In order to qualify for a larger housing allowance, and school fees etc, I (wifey!) need to be in Kingdom over half the year. So it is not attractive for us to live in another Gulf country and DH weekly commute. Bahrain is possible (I know people who do it, but daily commute, as that is possible from here) but I think UAE will need a sponsor for you if visa, unless you are employed in your own right, but posting on the UAE section might get you a more accurate answer. Ryiadh isn't the easiest city to live in, but it may not be as bad as you fear. Saudi board is very quiet, but if you have questions, I can try and answer.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2016 - 11:52
Not in Qatar, so if someone more local contradicts me, take their word. We investigated the possibility of a home Ed stop gap when moving to KSA, and most schools were not amenable. They wanted reports from previous schools proir to entry. However, if the company education allowance won't start for another year, does that mean your kids are very early primary, and so most schools wouldn't have expected them to start school, and hence won't be expecting reports? If you couldn't access schools sept 2017, would you be prepared to either home Ed for longer, or return to the UK and reintegrate there? ie I'd have a back up plan incase it proves impossible. Or could you look at starting school mid year, and paying the fees out of your own pocket? You'd have reports from June/July 2016, and would be looking to put them in Easter 2017, so no further reports would have been issued?
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 March 2016 - 10:40
That should be more than enough, assuming that's per month :)
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 February 2016 - 13:18
Are you coming from the UK? Were in the East of KSA. We find food more expensive, eating out about the same (remember, no booze). Petrol very cheep, cars reasonably priced. Factor in some taxis for you to get about. The first few months were very tight - we had to pay housing and schools a year up front, and reclaim. Kids clothes can be found comparable to UK supermarkets. I've struggled to find clothes for me, and will be stocking up on swim costumes, long trousers and bras when I come back to the UK. School, http://bisj.com/index.php/our-school/admissions should give you an idea. If you want childcare or preschool for your baby, that can come in very expensive depending on when "schooling" allowance kicks in. We only pay for Internet and 2 PAYG mobiles. Neither is very expensive. Renumeration is so dependant on what is included, and what you earn at the moment, it to s impossible to quote numbers. I'd factor in 2 flights back a year, school fees for 2, and rest of cost of living similar to UK, and see if the numbers work for you. Don't forget to factor in possible rent income from your house if you have one.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 10:42
Are you working currently? If so, for Saudi, we seem to be working on matching current UK salary, but then adding in Medical, housing, (schooling - prob not relevant), initial relocation and return flight once/year, plus a 30-40% "Hardship" allowance. This hardship rating might be lower in Oman, as I suspect it is easier to get people to relocate to Muscat than Riyadh! Basically, look at your cost of living, and make sure your better off. For us, after rent/bills, in Saudi, cost of living seems similar, but very different balance - petrol here very cheep, food can be cheep, but we buy some very expensive imported breakfast cereals etc.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 January 2016 - 12:51
If you've got a cc at home, I recommend http://www.bookdepository.com/Oxford-Phonics-Spelling-Dictionary-Mr-Alex-Brycht-Roderick-Hunt-Oxford-Dictionaries-Debbie-Hepplewhite/9780192734136 It's what was recommended by our UK school. Our Saudi school issued the Times Illustrated Dictionary. I'd say the first is good for spellings. The second good for meanings.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 January 2016 - 11:14
We had amazing service from Pickford's international team last year. Cannot fault them. Yes, there was a delay, but because all government offices this end shut during Hajj! Not really Pickford's fault, and I was kept totally up to date. However, they came and did a full survey of what we were taking to price things up. I'm not sure how they can quote without seeing it. It's pretty skilled job knowing how many boxes things are going to take, and how that will fit in a skybox. We had vast warnings that if we added stuff, and there were more boxes than quoted, the price would increase. Sounds like the service may be area dependant, but I'd be wary of using them withour a survey of volume, despite our excellent experience (including unwiring the whole computer and printer for me, as they came at a days notice when our mobilisation was changed, and I just hadn't got round to it)
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 January 2016 - 13:14
It was second choice school for my parents to send me to nearly 30 years ago. In the end I went to a day school. The factors against sending me were: boarding, hence longer days. Guessing this isn't an issue :biggrin: and also the route there. A friend went there and was very happy, but things are almost certain to have changed since my school days. Sorry, not much help....
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 January 2016 - 13:37
Hi, I'm not in Dubai, but I would get DH on your HSBC account, and get an international bank account with them. We are fortunate in that DHs employers will pay into 2 accounts in 2 currencies, so we don't need to transfer very often. But others say HSBC is the cheapest way to transfer money round the world.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2015 - 21:36
Don't forget to factor in flights home. Don't know re rent, utilities or medicals. Food looks a little low, car seems about right for KSA amounts, and reckon it will be similar over the bridge. And, yes. Petrol is cheeper than coffee.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2015 - 21:33
Yep, you can. Still in the 20s, reaching 30 at mid day at the moment. Locals seem to have got the winter jumpers out, but not seen many Europeans in denim yet. I only visit Bahrain, but City Centre would have a good selection of places.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 November 2015 - 14:27
The Saudi Boards are very quiet. I think it was created as there are lots of expats here, but its going to take time for people to migrate to a quiet board when they have found other means of support. If your Husbands Iqama states labourer, I don't believe he will be able to sponsor you to reside in Kingdom. So if you want to join him, you will need to get a job here, and a resident permit that way. 2400 after accommodation should be fine for 2 of you, unless your planning on frequent flights home.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2015 - 22:46
Oh. Gawd. I'm a bit slow on that front, aren't I!!!!! Ok, got you wrt the yeast, and why it needs to be relabelled! However, due to my fathers business, Mum knows how to cultivate "special" yeast in the fridge on sugar..... I can see me shouting my fathers trade from the rooftops.
DesertExpat
37
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 March 2015 - 00:34
Thank you Kaydee. I guess the first thing I'm going to need is a facebook account then! Will start thinking about a hobby. Sanitary stuff will be OK - tampons not required, but I was going to wait and buy clothes out there on the basis that then I couldn't go too far wrong having seen what others wore. Might have to rethink that. If yeast was hard to get, does that mean bread is unleavened typically? <em>edited by DesertExpat on 07/03/2015</em>
 
 
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