Title self explanatory
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
You should dig up some blogs of female (and male) expats living in KSA and speak to them instead of asking people who have never been to the place.
A simple search of saudi expat blog on google will give you many results.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
I think you could get used to wearing an abaya, from what I've heard, KSA does have restaurants and malls and stuff.... but if ure used to going out alone and being independent in that way, then that would be the hardest thing to get used to.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
i think it's great living there both comfort, religion and money wise but i will never be able to live there because of their treatment of expatriates. expatriates are NOT equal to saudis and that's shame.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
Depends what city you're gonna live in? Jeddah is more 'liberal' than other cities and you could get away with not wearing a scarf when going out (abaya is till a must though-the abayas worn there can be really pretty though). You can leave the house without a male guardian but where will you go? It's not really safe for women to travel on their own and generally we've avoided using taxis without a mehram. For traveling around the city, you'd have to rely on your father/brother to play chauffeur or you'd have to hire a driver.
Restaurants are segregated so that there's a family section and a single male section. Hmmmm most schools are also segregated but some are not.
Life would definitely be extremely different and you'd experience some culture shock. I know I did. But living there is great in some ways and most people learn to adjust.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
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Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
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Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
If it's just a few months, then I wouldn't really worry about it.....
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
If you live in a compound, which is the norm for most families there, its pretty amazing. Yes you do have to wear abayas when you go out, but you can manage that easily thats not an issue at all. In the compounds women can drive around, there are parks and a rec centre and pretty cool lifestyle, modern and all. KSA was some of the best times of my life, and even my mom agrees, and we are fairly modern. Worry not!
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
if u are going to riyadh dammam or jeddah u will be fine.. not too much restriction and brand name stores and huuuge malls with useless stuff. small towns are conservative.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
If you have Netflix account, watch this episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations titled “Saudi Arabia”. I can gurantee you that it will give you a very nice and fresh perspective of KSA
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Anthony_Bourdain_No_Reservations/70136132?trkid=2361637
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
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Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
I watch it last month… and “oh yeh…” what a breath of fresh air.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
I watch it last month... and "oh yeh..." what a breath of fresh air.
come on man, in comparison to what we all think of KSA, it was quite a refreshing surprise.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
I grew up in Jeddah and i can tell you might get bored..especially if you are outgoing person. I know i can't live there for sure.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
Go, have fun and come back. Now "fun" is debatable :D
In general, when you go there on a US/Canadian/European passport, the limitations of that country don't generally apply. You automatically get the best housing, best benefits, and everything seems to go smoothly. Your hang out consists of like minded individuals with plenty of disposable income and time to have fun with.
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
^^Great to know there is a fellow guppan from KSA on here. Maybe I can PM you with questions once the move is finalized? I dont plan on living there due to my education and wanting to finish my degree from out here but I might have to live there for a few months, at least.
Sure, PM me with any questions you might have. =)
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
It's good!
It really depends which city you are moving to
Where we live in KSA really it's like lala land you can do anything you want go out shopping on a company's bus or take a private taxi
Re: How is Saudi Arabia for living? I might be moving there from the US.
^ like daisy says, depends on the city you move to, let me know if you come to Al-Khobar/Dammam, I'm here and can offer some getting used to advice :D