Moving to Jeddah Questions

As always this is a difficult question to answer as a lot depends on your circumstances - also if you search for similar threads you will find the same answers are always given.

(a) Your housing allowance may be a little low depending upon what you want - it would certainly be enough if you are living off compound, but you may need to supplement in order to get a plce you want on a western compound (assuming you can get one - the waiting lists on most are very long and people are having problems unless the company has a block of places/wasta)

(b) there are few public holidays - so 30 days is usually supplemented by having at least 5 days vacation at each of the Eid breaks - but you should check this is in your contract.

(c) car allowance - you may prefer to buy a car outright if you are able and then use this as extra salary; I don't think that less than SAR4000 a month will be sufficient for a lease - but I will defer to others on this.

(d) you don't mention schooling - or children - the british/ american international school charge around SAR 40 000 a year per child (more if high school) - it needs to be included in your contract if you have kids

(e) SAR 36K isnt a bad amount - but it depends on what your other expenses will be - are you going to eat local produce or will you be buying a lot of imported things, will you have a driver for your family/wife or a maid, for how many hours each week etc - on average we spend about SAR1000 per adult and SAR 750 per child (ravenous boys primary age)  each month to "live" - but we do eat out quite regularly and a few thousand more on TV, DVD, phone, beach trips, maid, driver etc but obviously you may spend more or less.

Then the question is - does this leave you enough for travel (you will want to leave here more than once a year) and expenses at home - also is it equivalent or more to your current net pay.... do the math and see if it is worth it (available online are some 'expense calculators' that allow you to calculate costs for your own circumstances)

This is definitely a good package & if there's vacancy you can find a got apartment or maybe a  house in a good compound that includes facilities....

It's good money, but you 'll have a totally different life from what you are used to - bearing in mind, I have no clue where you come from or where you currently live, but living in Saudi can be very tough & this coming from a modern open minded Egyptian brought up in a German School & who's very individual, married to a Lebanese who always had a wild crazy life!!! Saudi is just different, yet Jeddah is better than elsewhere & more flexible if for example if compared to Riyadh!!!

Best of luck

N.

I live in New York City but I have spent time in the middle east before and have friends in KSA, Egypt and Dubai. Not worried about the culture. I am also single and not bringing my children with me. I was looking for a good company, with good pay and benefits and a bit of change from my life at present.

I would say go for it, especially that you have no family that will move with you over here!!! Yet I must underline, the ME is a case & Saudi is another case!!

Thank You, Understood. I heard much stricter in Saudi than in other countries.

It definitely is!!!!

How are Americans perceived? Socially and Professionally?

well not sure how to answer the question, cause sometimes it's positive sometimes negative, depending on the circle of ppl u r contacting!!! In any case u should have ur own circle of friends that will accept who u r, share the same interests & living here as expats!!! That's my humble opinion ;-)

This is a GREAT offer. I dont know many people there getting all that, but then again most people I know are ESL teachers.

Hello Eddie,

The bottom line: For single man it is a great offer.

Bentley wrote:

Hello All,

My name is Eddie and I am considering working for a company in Jeddah KSA. I would like your take on what the position pays along with the incentive plan that is given.

Salary : 432,000 SAR per year
Housing Allowance: 115,000 SAR per year
Car Allowance: 43,200 SAR Per Year

Other incentives Free Medical, 30 days vacation, paid flights for family once a year.

Is this a good salary and incentive program? Will I be able to save a good percentage of my salary?

Thank You
Eddie

Bentley wrote:

How are Americans perceived? Socially and Professionally?

you will never face any problems with saudis if you are american or not american,as long as you are from the westren world,people wont try even to say Hi,because we have the idea that you people come here ONLY for work,nothing else..as socialise etc.

anyway i reckon my answer is too late,i guess you are in the kingdom already

good luck

AmmarNa wrote:

Bentley wrote:

How are Americans perceived? Socially and Professionally?

you will never face any problems with saudis if you are american or not american,as long as you are from the westren world,people wont try even to say Hi

95% of shababs will cry "how are you" because this is only phrase they know in English, the remaining 5% - "f...g Americans" because of the same reason...

Thank You for your Candour, Do the same things apply concerning Americans in Kuwait?

Bentley wrote:

Thank You for your Candour, Do the same things apply concerning Americans in Kuwait?

I have been here for three years and have never had a bad experience due to being American. 

In fact, people usually tell me they want to visit the US--the Saudis always say Las Vegas LOL

I wasn't sure of the reception I'd get but it's been with open arms so not to worry!

Which Witch wrote:

AmmarNa wrote:

Bentley wrote:

How are Americans perceived? Socially and Professionally?

you will never face any problems with saudis if you are american or not american,as long as you are from the westren world,people wont try even to say Hi

95% of shababs will cry "how are you" because this is only phrase they know in English, the remaining 5% - "f...g Americans" because of the same reason...

I was refering to the NORMAL Saudis

I can tell you with 100% certainty that this is a good offer. I have lived and worked all over the GCC including Saudi and NEVER I dont know anyone that has or is making 1/2 of what you said you will be making. We all live VERY WELL. 36000 SAR a month is nothing to sneeze at. I want to do whatever you do. I am an ESL instructor and many of us are here with families and we make it work with much less. We all have maids, large homes, and spending money. Many of us take yearly vacations to nice places each year, so we are not struggling.

@ Bentley!
Nice Offer. You can go for it.