Kuwait City, Kuwait Report of what it's like to live there - 05/26/13
Personal Experiences from Kuwait City, Kuwait
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Fifth USG experience
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
14 hour direct flight to DC, daily.
3. How long have you lived here?
2 years
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
For U.S. Embassy employees, compound living (townhomes), apartments, or some single family homes off compound. In general, it's spacious, modern, and nice but, apart from the compound there is very little green space.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything but pork and alcohol is available the local economy. There's a PX about 45 minutes from the embassy, offerring a limited range of U.S products, but most everything is available on the local economy. If you shop at Dean and DeLuca, you'll be in for sticker shock. Otherwise, it is still more expensive than the US, but this is offset tremendously by the super-cheap gasoline!
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Everything is here.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Any food you want, it's here -- at a price.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
APO/DPO.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Easily available but not inexpensive. While local law permits hiring of domestic employees for $180 per month, most U.S. Embassy staff pay well beyond that ($500 per month).
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
The embassy has a gym and access to at least one local hotel club.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Easy access anywhere.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Yes. Catholic, Protestant, etc. are all widely available.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Yes. Inexpensive.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None. Most public workers speak English.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Many Kuwaitis are disabled, so among other non-European posts where we've served, this is probably the best. But it is still not on par with the U.S.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Some staff take taxis, but they aren't inexpensive.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Four-wheel-drive, simply for the protection. Kuwait has one of the highest rates of motor fatalities in the world - fast cars, young drivers, too many cell phones, and excellent U.S.-designed roads.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. $100 per month.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Widely available.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
High quality care is available at several vet hospitals and kennels.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Yes.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Conservative while keeping in mind that it's hot.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
It's the Middle East, so there's always the possibility of a regional issue impacting Kuwait, but it's very safe here, with little to no street crime.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Reasonable health care.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Very unhealthy during dust storms, but okay the rest of the time.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Summers get up to 120 - but it's dry! Winters are quite comfortable.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are several options. The English School, British School of Kuwait, or American School of Kuwait (the only high school). None has state-of-the-art facilities, but most families are happy.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Available but expensive.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes - after-school programs include basketball, ballet, soccer, karate, etc.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large.
2. Morale among expats:
It really, really depends.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Mostly at home entertaining given restrictions on alcohol.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It's a make-your-own-fun kind of place for all of the above, with good regional travel opportunities.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
It is illegal to practice homosexuality in Kuwait, however couples have successfully lived here.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Kuwaitis are generally very welcoming to U.S. citizens. However, those who are of Arab or "other" descent may experience some prejudice. Kuwaitis are not very accepting of South Asians, Asians, or other non-Gulf Arabs.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Weather in the winter is fantastic - clear, cool, sunny days.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Movies, malls, American restaurants. Some water sports, camel racing, desert camping. That's about it.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
There is a dearth of local shopping opportunities.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Easy living, but be prepared to pay. The malls here are unlike any others - on par or better than those in Dubai, but everything comes at a price.
11. Can you save money?
It really depends on your grocery intake and requirements, as well as your travel pattern. If you don't travel regionally and don't require tons of imported 'gourmet' foods, absolutely.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
It's been a great post for my family, but there are a lot of unhappy people here.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
short shorts, halter tops, and bicycles.
3. But don't forget your:
sunscreen, BBQ grill, and books.
