Where to live? Ahmadi vs Kuwait city -salwa?

Ahmadi is a nice area, a leafy suburb. Good hospital, small shops, clubs with pools, churches. Englsih School Fahaheel I would say is not bad - average, nothing to rave about, but my information is not up to date.

I don't know if you've already moved, but my suggestion is to stay in Ahmadi. KOC provides accommodation for its employees - usually, villas with gardens for families - in the Ahmadi area. The KOC area is family friendly, very close knit, with a couple of churches, a huge park and a club for KOC employees. Very quiet, very residential, very green and so very different from the rest of Kuwait. Last I heard, easy to get booze & bacon - US Base nearby FTW - also, so some great house parties. Ahmadi also makes it close to Wafrah farms, Khiran resorts and chalets plus miles of empty beaches that are so much more cleaner and better than the ones closer to the main areas. The English School in Fahaheel is one of the better schools in Kuwait. It started as a community school so has managed to keep up those standards. No kids of my own, but parents of kids who go there seem to have very high opinions. For grocery and shopping needs, there is Fahaheel, which is like 10 minutes away. I think it has a Lulu supermarket? . There is a Sultan Center ( for western goods) in Al Kout Mall ( the mall has the usual stores found everywhere in Kuwait). Lots of restaurants and independent shops in Fahaheel, Mangaf and Fintas. Don't be afraid to try the small restaurants. Most have good food, at very reasonable prices. I only know of 1 hotel in the area - the Mansher (?) Rotana? No alcohol, but couple of nice fine dining restaurants. Otherwise you're best bet is the newly renovated Messilah beach complex towards the city. Great hotel with wonderful beach , and facilities, plus they have annual memberships for the family for beach, gym, etc access If you want more of a city life, Salwa would be better. Lots of expats, loads of restaurants, and shopping at your doorstep. Not as much expat bonding as Ahmadi. Traffic is a bit crazy, and for your husband and kids, it will be a 30 -40 minute drive each way to work and school ( 2 big highways, with loads of cameras and some crazy ass drivers). Either way, Kuwait can be fantastic for family life. Not many things to do or see so plenty of time to focus on family and friends. Just make sure to be careful around Kuwaitis. Hope this helps. Best of luck very good post. i would also suggest Ahmadi specially if you are working for KOC. They give these huge villas to their senior employees (there might be a waitlist). very nice area for families. <em>edited by comp99 on 16/01/2014</em>

Try this forum in Kuwait - they have more local users, albeit a little more aggressive than here. http://community.248am.com/

I don't know if you've already moved, but my suggestion is to stay in Ahmadi. KOC provides accommodation for its employees - usually, villas with gardens for families - in the Ahmadi area. The KOC area is family friendly, very close knit, with a couple of churches, a huge park and a club for KOC employees. Very quiet, very residential, very green and so very different from the rest of Kuwait. Last I heard, easy to get booze & bacon - US Base nearby FTW - also, so some great house parties. Ahmadi also makes it close to Wafrah farms, Khiran resorts and chalets plus miles of empty beaches that are so much more cleaner and better than the ones closer to the main areas. The English School in Fahaheel is one of the better schools in Kuwait. It started as a community school so has managed to keep up those standards. No kids of my own, but parents of kids who go there seem to have very high opinions. For grocery and shopping needs, there is Fahaheel, which is like 10 minutes away. I think it has a Lulu supermarket? . There is a Sultan Center ( for western goods) in Al Kout Mall ( the mall has the usual stores found everywhere in Kuwait). Lots of restaurants and independent shops in Fahaheel, Mangaf and Fintas. Don't be afraid to try the small restaurants. Most have good food, at very reasonable prices. I only know of 1 hotel in the area - the Mansher (?) Rotana? No alcohol, but couple of nice fine dining restaurants. Otherwise you're best bet is the newly renovated Messilah beach complex towards the city. Great hotel with wonderful beach , and facilities, plus they have annual memberships for the family for beach, gym, etc access If you want more of a city life, Salwa would be better. Lots of expats, loads of restaurants, and shopping at your doorstep. Not as much expat bonding as Ahmadi. Traffic is a bit crazy, and for your husband and kids, it will be a 30 -40 minute drive each way to work and school ( 2 big highways, with loads of cameras and some crazy ass drivers). Either way, Kuwait can be fantastic for family life. Not many things to do or see so plenty of time to focus on family and friends. Just make sure to be careful around Kuwaitis. Hope this helps. Best of luck