@mrthoth

I think if I was starting again I'd probably avoid the compounds for now. Most are either not quite western i.e. "western passport holders" or they're breaking what were family homes into 1 bedroom apartments for single ... Read More

best way to stop these things happening is to have your Iqama number as part of your address when you get things posted to you. Read More

I think Alex who ran it left and is not somewhere in China ? Read More

I think you need to be more specific about what you'd be wanting to use if for and the nationalities of the people you'd expect to invite. Your budget, maybe an embassy hall would be a better thing to ask for ? Otherwise I'm sure there ... Read More

No shortage of compounds, some will even let people sub-let so you end up with 5 single guys in one house. As long as you pay the rent they'll all accommodate you. A lot of the newer compounds mentioned are very pretty marble silent prisons ... Read More

Maybe a few things to add to getting the istimara renewed First thing maybe to find the "Sequence number" for your vehicle if you haven't logged into or registered on the MOI portal. Login - MOI - Vehicle Services - find the car - ... Read More

Down Riyadh river, neer heet cave on the mountain, very few people there. Maybe an occasional old Saudi date farmer or camel herder. Excellent locations and sunny. Don't think anyone would complain in the DQ. No point in a compound just streets. Read More

As long as you call them "teachers" instead of instructors someone will be hiring them. Beppi has a point, I've yet to meet one who has a real passion for teaching. Read More

Here's an idea, why don't you actually pay to live in a compound instead of expecting to take advantage of the facilities by being invited in as a guest, maybe put your hand in your pocket and pay the rent. I grew up here (GCC) , British ... Read More

Maybe you just haven't met the ones who actually live on the various compounds, I know at lease two independently singles. Or maybe as they are not expecting accommodation, flights, visas............... and have husbands working here they get ... Read More

Fred, You have the advantage of being British, and as such can understand anyone's English. This is Saudi Arabia, so the choices are not as elaborate. Let's consider a few of the options today: 1. Learn English from an American who will ... Read More

Wala, Just my opinion but your probably best doing the same as most, watch American/Americanised TV. In all my time here I have only heard one English & English teacher who speaks properly, Mary Poppins style (she's moved to Dubai). The ... Read More

Remember to tell the rental company you plan on going to Bahrain, else the might not let you leave the country with the car. Read More

I'd say a real one is one you'd be happy buying in your home country. A 1 bedroom place is likely to cost 50/60 and it's rent after all, so dead money. Last time I had a peek I thought al hamra was about 150 for a 2 bedroom place 200 ... Read More

Order the parts online. Download the workshop manual and the software SDD etc. Take it to any local garage and show the guy what you want fixed. Generally if the place is full of filipino mechanics they know and can understand what you want done. Read More