Kuwait City, Kuwait Report of what it's like to live there - 02/18/20
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?
No. I've also lived in Tokyo, Osaka, Yokohama, Sapporo, Chennai, Shanghai, Kunming, Paris.
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?
USA. Most flights transit through Dubai.
3. How long have you lived here?
Two years.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
The U.S. Embassy has a compound for about 1/4th of mission members. Compound housing mostly goes to families with pets or small children. The commute from the compound is just a short walk, fewer than 3 minutes.
Off-compound housing is in apartments throughout the city. Commute time can vary from 10 minutes to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
More expensive, but not outrageous.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing in particular. Between the local shops, the small Embassy PX and the military bases you can normally get what you need.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are many online delivery services, such as TALABAT, DeliveryRoo, and even a local grocery store called Sultan Center that has their own iOS App that you can use to have food delivered same day or next day. It really is a food delivery culture.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Geckos, ants, and some cockroaches, but not many.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local postal facilities are not functional. Mail regularly gets lost. The Embassy community relies on DPO and pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Help available. Many people hire housekeepers and nannies.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Most expats workout at the Radisson Blu Hotel gym which is very nice.
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?
Yes and yes.
5. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English works pretty well. However, people handling deliveries often only speak Arabic. Classes are available.
6. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Difficult to say, but most buildings seem accessible once inside.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are OK and frankly almost essential unless you self drive. Western expats generally do not use buses. There are no trams.
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?
Traffic accidents are common as locals drive fast and recklessly. A larger vehicle that might protect you in a collision is recommended. A vehicle with a slightly high clearance is preferred but not essential, as once you get off the highway some local streets and parking lots can be a bit rough. Many people have problems with car batteries frequently dying in Kuwait. Perhaps it's the dust, perhaps it's the heat. Do not be surprised if a normally reliable battery needs to be replaced every six months or so.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes. Doesn't take too long, maybe ten days to two weeks.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local provider. Sim card kiosks and shops are everywhere.
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 a pet owner, unsure. Other expats do have pets here though.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Teachers and government employees usually dress business professional. Military contractors dress more casually, often in tech wear and polos.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Traffic safety. Women may be harassed by men in some circumstances. Check travel.state.gov country information for more information.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Air quality can be terrible sometimes. Hospital facilities are excellent, the doctors are OK.
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?
Air quality can be bad and is a major concern for most. The Embassy has an air quality monitor. Some days the air quality is great (60 AQI), some days it's horrible (160+ AQI).
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
If you have respiratory problems consult a doctor before deciding to come.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
When tensions in the region are high it can be stressful on families.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Summer is extremely hot, but fall and winter are excellent. It gets chilly and the afternoons are like a nice spring day. It's basically unbearably hot for six months of the year, and the other six months are great.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Many schools of varying quality. For elementary the local British school called TES (The English School) gets good reviews. I've heard that the main American school, ASK, has had some complaints of bullying and regarding quality of education. There are many other options however and generally expats are happy.
2. 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. There is one called Bright and Brilliant near the US Embassy that is popular with expats.
3. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Kuwait is about 2/3rds expats and 1/3rd Kuwaiti. Most of the expats are from the Philippines, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and then you have the Western expats. The two groups have vastly different experiences in Kuwait. Overall morale is alright. Everyone is here for economic opportunity, and will leave as soon as their contract is up.
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?
Expats often arrange gatherings around food and other activities, it's not difficult to find a social group.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Better for families or couples, singles often spend their weekends traveling regionally elsewhere.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
No. There is information for LGBT travelers on travel.state.gov.
5. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
It seems that local Kuwaitis, who are often wealthy, tend to expect that Asians are in the country as housekeepers or nannies so may look down upon them at first glance. I've heard that people with roots from Iraq may be treated harshly by local authorities.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
It seems that local Kuwaitis, who are often wealthy, tend to expect that Asians are in the country as housekeepers or nannies so may look down upon them at first glance. I've heard that people with roots from Iraq may be treated harshly by local authorities.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Oman is a gem!
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Travel to Oman. Also, Tblisi Georgia is fabulous and is a short flight away. The other travel destinations are pretty obvious: Egypt, Jordan, Dubai.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Carpets.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Short flight to Dubai.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Didn't realize the air quality could be so bad.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Only for work.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Snow boots. Alcohol (it's illegal). Bicycle... Not many good roads for long distance bicycling. If you work hard perhaps you can find a place, but they're not obvious.
4. But don't forget your:
Sunscreen. Hat. Sunglasses. Water bottle.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
None.
