Cost of living in Dharan, Saudi
Discussion
Hi guys, long time lurker and first time poster... I'm hoping you might be able to give me some pointers about Saudi - is it a good idea, for starters?
The money is not as good as I thought/hoped it might be - basically the same as the UK, but tax free.
I'm struggling to get a feel for what the cost of living is like and how much cash I could realistically look to save while out there.
Who's been to KSA and how did you make it work?
Thanks.
The money is not as good as I thought/hoped it might be - basically the same as the UK, but tax free.
I'm struggling to get a feel for what the cost of living is like and how much cash I could realistically look to save while out there.
Who's been to KSA and how did you make it work?
Thanks.
It is close to Bahrain which I guess is a plus point although it is still kicking off there, just doesn't get reported.
Is the offer with Aramco, I think that is Dharan's sole reason for existence?
There are some KSA members here, sure they will chime in, offer doesn't sound great though, lots of cash is the only appealing thing about working in KSA as far as I can see.
Is the offer with Aramco, I think that is Dharan's sole reason for existence?
There are some KSA members here, sure they will chime in, offer doesn't sound great though, lots of cash is the only appealing thing about working in KSA as far as I can see.
I have had 3 short stints effectively living in Riyadh over the last 5 years. Thursday afternoon = golf, Friday morning = hooning around on a rented quad bike. Repeat weeka after week. However, get the right contact > the BAE(?) club on a Thursday night, just make sure you have a works driver to get you home.... Other than playing golf there is naff all to do.
I am not sure it is any better if you are with your family as the women cannot drive (but the local men more than make up for that fact!) and so you need a full time driver to get them around.
The key is to live in agood expat only compound as then ladies can walk round in jeans, t-shirts etc and one or two brew there own liquid refreshment...
To me you move to Saudi for money and money only, I would be looking for between 50% and 100% more than your UK salary, a return flight every 3 months and a very good allowance for housing and don't forget that you have to out of the UK for a certain period of time in order not to pay tax in the UK.
Just make sure you by a car with at least a 6L V8 and enjoy the next to free petrol.
I am not sure it is any better if you are with your family as the women cannot drive (but the local men more than make up for that fact!) and so you need a full time driver to get them around.
The key is to live in agood expat only compound as then ladies can walk round in jeans, t-shirts etc and one or two brew there own liquid refreshment...
To me you move to Saudi for money and money only, I would be looking for between 50% and 100% more than your UK salary, a return flight every 3 months and a very good allowance for housing and don't forget that you have to out of the UK for a certain period of time in order not to pay tax in the UK.
Just make sure you by a car with at least a 6L V8 and enjoy the next to free petrol.
Saudi. Right then. This might be a long post.
You haven't said which industry you are in but to be in Dharan I'm guessing Oil and Gas, Bae or teaching. As has been quite correctly pointed out above, taking a salary the same as UK 'but without the tax' is a very low place to start for living in Saudi. It is a ploy used a lot by recruitment agencies to make a low offer sound attractive. The cost of living here can be as high or low as you want to make it. If you go native then it is possible to trouser a good chunk of your salary but if you eat out in western/usa restaurants or hotels then it's going to be costly. Rent can be expensive but if you have compound accomodation included in your package then thats a big bonus, if not then be prepared for a shock. It is possible to live outside compounds, I do, but life is easier inside especially if you are moving with your wife (you have to be married to take your partner with you). Petrol is cheaper than water so don't concern yourself too much with buying an economical runaround. Cars are generally cheaper than uk but be very careful buying secondhand, the concept of 'maintenance' hasn't really caught on here. Also the standard of driving has to be seen to be believed and it is rare to find a car without damage, look to buy from an expat.
As far as social life goes you are fortunate to be close to the causeway to Bahrain. That is a popular run to let off steam at the weekends, we do it couple of times a month on average. However, to do this regularly you will need a multi entry/exit visa the availability of which is down to your company policy so check this out. Otherwise you will have to obtain a single entry visa every time you want to go which could be a bit of a fag. However once are in Bahrain you can drink with impunity and indulge in just about every pleasure of the flesh. You can also of course fly to Dubai in just less than an hour, which I can also recommend highly but be aware of strangers from the internet who may tempt you into spontaneous over indulgence of alcohol.
Of course you may have done your homework and are aware of all the pitfalls of living in Saudi, you have to be comfortable that the financial rewards outweigh the downsides.
If you have any further questions, ask away.
You haven't said which industry you are in but to be in Dharan I'm guessing Oil and Gas, Bae or teaching. As has been quite correctly pointed out above, taking a salary the same as UK 'but without the tax' is a very low place to start for living in Saudi. It is a ploy used a lot by recruitment agencies to make a low offer sound attractive. The cost of living here can be as high or low as you want to make it. If you go native then it is possible to trouser a good chunk of your salary but if you eat out in western/usa restaurants or hotels then it's going to be costly. Rent can be expensive but if you have compound accomodation included in your package then thats a big bonus, if not then be prepared for a shock. It is possible to live outside compounds, I do, but life is easier inside especially if you are moving with your wife (you have to be married to take your partner with you). Petrol is cheaper than water so don't concern yourself too much with buying an economical runaround. Cars are generally cheaper than uk but be very careful buying secondhand, the concept of 'maintenance' hasn't really caught on here. Also the standard of driving has to be seen to be believed and it is rare to find a car without damage, look to buy from an expat.
As far as social life goes you are fortunate to be close to the causeway to Bahrain. That is a popular run to let off steam at the weekends, we do it couple of times a month on average. However, to do this regularly you will need a multi entry/exit visa the availability of which is down to your company policy so check this out. Otherwise you will have to obtain a single entry visa every time you want to go which could be a bit of a fag. However once are in Bahrain you can drink with impunity and indulge in just about every pleasure of the flesh. You can also of course fly to Dubai in just less than an hour, which I can also recommend highly but be aware of strangers from the internet who may tempt you into spontaneous over indulgence of alcohol.
Of course you may have done your homework and are aware of all the pitfalls of living in Saudi, you have to be comfortable that the financial rewards outweigh the downsides.
If you have any further questions, ask away.
Another one from KSA chipping in...
Agree with the comments above - my package was worth it - includes compound villa, they sort all the visas, I get multi entry/exit, overseas allowance, flight allowance, and loads of support from the business with the things you would normally take for granted - opening bank account / buying car etc. I think without these things my Saudi experience would be slightly different!
Bahrain being close to Dhahran is a good plus point, the drive from Riyadh is ever so slightly boring (500km on a straight road). The only problem is Bahrain is not cheap...
As for cost of living, I've found clothing is normally about the same if not slightly more than the UK when it comes to branded stuff. Food is generally cheaper although mates in the office harp on about the price going up loads every year. I've not noticed! To kit out an apartment / villa isn't as expensive as the UK - TVs and other electricals are cheaper.
Hope this helps...
Agree with the comments above - my package was worth it - includes compound villa, they sort all the visas, I get multi entry/exit, overseas allowance, flight allowance, and loads of support from the business with the things you would normally take for granted - opening bank account / buying car etc. I think without these things my Saudi experience would be slightly different!
Bahrain being close to Dhahran is a good plus point, the drive from Riyadh is ever so slightly boring (500km on a straight road). The only problem is Bahrain is not cheap...
As for cost of living, I've found clothing is normally about the same if not slightly more than the UK when it comes to branded stuff. Food is generally cheaper although mates in the office harp on about the price going up loads every year. I've not noticed! To kit out an apartment / villa isn't as expensive as the UK - TVs and other electricals are cheaper.
Hope this helps...
Jesus, Dhahran... you couldn't pay me enough. I was in Khobar on the day the Yanks went into Iraq in '03; we'd gone for a business meeting in the evening so were sat outside this (suspiciously locked and quiet) building up a side street. We'd taken a Bahraini guy to act as interpreter (so we didn't get bummed over the deal, basically 
) and were in his brand-new LWB Shogun/Patrol thing.
Suddenly there was an almighty bang and the truck shook: my boss and the Bahraini sat looking around, I was out the door and into cover like a greased whippet
We gave the truck a look-over and discovered a lump of concrete 3" thick and the size of a dinner-plate on the roof, just above where my head had been. You could have sat in the dent it made. Obviously dropped off the roof of the building, if it had gone through the windscreen it'd have killed one of the others.
I haven't been back since... at that time the going rate seemed to be £36K tax-free plus car plus digs, for most white men. There was talk that Aramco were getting rid of the honkies in favour of more Saudi 'engineers'
- one guy said that the day the last white man leaves Aramco, the lights in Saudi will go out and they'll never come back on.
The whole country is an absolute sh!t-hole, the people (including some of the ex-pats I met) are much the same. Even the residents of Tampax Tower are hostile
My job? Amongst other things I designed, built, installed and commissioned the radiation warning and interlock systems used at Aramco Dhahran, Udhailiyah and Ras Tanurah. Ah, the NDE centre, what a camel that was...
Remember a few good parties at Lotus III compound with aforementioned residents of the TT... p155ed-up Saudis being poured into taxis by 11PM, bunch of hypocritical barstards.
) and were in his brand-new LWB Shogun/Patrol thing.Suddenly there was an almighty bang and the truck shook: my boss and the Bahraini sat looking around, I was out the door and into cover like a greased whippet
We gave the truck a look-over and discovered a lump of concrete 3" thick and the size of a dinner-plate on the roof, just above where my head had been. You could have sat in the dent it made. Obviously dropped off the roof of the building, if it had gone through the windscreen it'd have killed one of the others.
I haven't been back since... at that time the going rate seemed to be £36K tax-free plus car plus digs, for most white men. There was talk that Aramco were getting rid of the honkies in favour of more Saudi 'engineers'
- one guy said that the day the last white man leaves Aramco, the lights in Saudi will go out and they'll never come back on.The whole country is an absolute sh!t-hole, the people (including some of the ex-pats I met) are much the same. Even the residents of Tampax Tower are hostile
My job? Amongst other things I designed, built, installed and commissioned the radiation warning and interlock systems used at Aramco Dhahran, Udhailiyah and Ras Tanurah. Ah, the NDE centre, what a camel that was...
Remember a few good parties at Lotus III compound with aforementioned residents of the TT... p155ed-up Saudis being poured into taxis by 11PM, bunch of hypocritical barstards.
Edited by Wedg1e on Tuesday 3rd January 01:44
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