Kuwait City, Kuwait Report of what it's like to live there - 03/23/15
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?
Not my first experience. Have also lived in Swansea (Wales), Moscow (Russia), Belgrade (Serbia), and Kampala (Uganda).
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?
The US. Either Atlanta-Frankfurt-Kuwait, or Dulles-Kuwait.
3. How long have you lived here?
Nearly two 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?
Lots of big villas throughout. Also apartments. Nice housing. But housing costs are skyrocketing. Commute times vary by where you live and where you work.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Everything is basically available. But it's EXPENSIVE! A box of cereal is US$8.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Mexican food.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
All. Talabat.com is your key to getting ANYTHING food-related delivered to your door.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
None really, except the mosquitos during the spring and fall that get in because no one here seems to use screens. Other than that - there's geckos, cute hedgehogs, nothing major.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
You don't.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Widely available. Treat them well though as many Kuwaitis don't. Average cost for a full-time, live out maid/nanny is about US$600/mo.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes - Gold's gym, the Corniche Club, and others. No idea the cost.
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?
Widely accepted.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic, protestant.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
A bit helps. But most people speak English.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Definitely.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No trains. Taxis are safe and affordable. But buses are not a good option.
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?
People here drive SUVs and cars of all sizes. But again, the driving is CRA-ZY.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. About the same as the U.S.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Widely available and not too expensive.
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?
Not quarantined, but they need to have recent shots. Quality vet care is available at Royal or International vet clinics.
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?
Teaching, nursing and a few other positions are pretty numerous.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Lots volunteer for animal rescue leagues.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business, business casual unless you're at the gym.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Driving. Drivers here are reckless and incredibly rude. And the police don't actually stop anyone it seems. They just sit at traffic circles and check their phones. So no one is afraid of getting a ticket and the bad driving continues.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Decent basic medical care. For any surgery, people go to the US or UK.
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?
Blowing dust and sand - generally unhealthy.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Dust. Lots of dust.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
So, it's hot here in Kuwait. As in really hot. From June - mid-September your skin feels like it's searing on your body. Kind of like a turkey in an oven on Thanksgiving. During the "winter" it's actually pleasant - mid 50s F during the day. When it does rain here - it rains through the mesh awnings where the dust has gathered - which means it effectively rains mud! Lovely, eh?
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
My child goes to TES, although there are several good options for schooling. Most of the kids from the Embassy go to ASK, TES, BSK or the new AUSK. Unfortunately ASK is the only game in town for HS aged kids. A lack of competition has not inspired ASK to improve their facilities or the quality of their programs - though I've heard from parents that it is getting better. For me, the sheer size of ASK (1,400 students) was too big and I didn't want my child to get lost in the crowd.
Also, TES (600 students) has some of the best facilities and academics for younger kids. They aren't trying to expand their years served (PreKG - Year 8 in the British system) and focus on really good schooling for the 13 and under set. But, its hard to get into as its developed such a good reputation - so register EARLY.
BSK is good and goes through HS though the student population seems to include a majority of SE Asians. If you're okay with that - it's a really good option.
Another school growing in popularity is AUSK. Several families have chosen it lately and really like it. AUSK goes up to 8th grade and has new facilities. They're planning to expand their ages served each year until they have can graduate a class from the HS.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Basic learning disabilities are addressed at some schools, but nothing for anything more severe.
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?
Yes. Several good ones.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes - several. The British Academy of Sports has good organized groups. The British Association of International Arts (BAIA) also has dance classes for ballet, modern, jazz and tap.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Morale here is low as there's NOTHING to do. You can't even swim in the Gulf as it's still so polluted.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Have people over for dinner.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
There are things for families to do - though not much. Aqua park, science center, aquarium. There's very little for singles to do, or couples. No alcohol served anywhere here. And no pork. Don't even think about it.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Absolutely not. You'll get arrested.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Not really. Though women need to be respectful of the culture and not dress provocatively.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Ummmmmm - seeing camels I guess? Everything that could be really neat - Kuwait Towers, camel racing, the Heritage Village near the border with Saudi, Arabian horse shows, etc. suffers from a lack of publicity, directions, poor planning and nothing in English.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Get out of Kuwait and travel the region. Kuwait has done NOTHING to encourage or develop tourism.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
If you like chain restaurants, this place will be a dream. Places like Pizza Hut and Burger King have prominent places on the Gulf.
10. Can you save money?
Definitely not. Cost of Living is HIGH.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How hard it is.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No. Go to anywhere in the region but Kuwait and Saudi. It's not fun in either place.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Mini skirts, bacon and Jack Daniels.
4. But don't forget your:
Personal hobbies - scrapbooking, reading, etc.
