Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Report of what it's like to live there - 04/25/16
Personal Experiences from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, have served at other posts
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?
Washington, D.C. Flights are 14+ hours. Connections via Dubai or Frankfurt
3. How long have you lived here?
Lived there 1 year
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?
Two nice apartment complexes. Large apartments with nice amenities.
Commute time is over an hour to/from Consulate.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Lots of grocery stores. Expensive!
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Sunscreen, board games to play when it's too hot to go out which is 85% of the time.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Pretty much any American fast food restaurant you could want. Cost is about double of the U.S.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Ants and roaches
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Pouch and DPO
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Limited and expensive.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Small gym at the Consulate.
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?
No problems.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
None
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
No and no.
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?
Any type is fine.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes and affordable on housing compounds.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
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, but there is a LOT of red tape to get your pet into Saudi. Cats are easier than dogs to import.
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?
No
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
No
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Very modest in public. Business attire at work.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Terrorism
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care available but extremely expensive. Lots of pollution in the air.
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?
Unhealthy. Terrible dust storms.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and hot
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
40 direct hires. Low morale
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?
Having friends over for cook-outs and game night.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Better for families and single males. Single females have a more difficult time.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes from what I'm told. No first hand knowledge.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Religious prejudices as it is a strictly Islamic religious country. Women are highly discriminated against.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Rug shopping at the Souq
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Traveling outside the city, but the MOI will accompany anywhere you go.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Rugs
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Saving money because it's hot and people don't go out a lot. Especially in the summer.
10. Can you save money?
Yes
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How badly women are treated in public. Harassment by the religious police. Having to wear an abaya anytime you are not on Consulate or apartment compounds.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Absolutely not!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Winter clothes!
4. But don't forget your:
Sanity!
