Jer O'Sullivan
@josullivan
Irish looking for information about Saudi Arabia
Forum posts
47
About me
Irish
Lives in Limerick
Speaks english
Registration: 26 August 2010
Doha visit
As far as I know you can. I went there a few weeks ago on an Irish passport and got my visa on arriving. Read More
Query about how long to get iqama? by irishmom
My husband is in the middle of an interview process for a job in Riyadh. He was told today that if he is successful he will have to travel alone as his Iqama will take up to six months and we can't join him until he has that. In the interim he will ...
It can be very varied, the company will need to have a visa available for an Irish person in your husband's trade. If that is in place it can be very quick, if not it can be much slower. Not a lot of help I know. I moved out from Ireland and we ... Read More
cost of living by llstreve
Could you give me your thoughts on how much it costs to live in Riyadh if you do not do much personal shopping. living expenses, food, transportation...ect my school will be picking me up and taking me to and from work. I hear food is ...
I would agree with what Aalnass said about buying US brands, if you look for the things you get at home eating can be expensive. If you go for the more local brands it is much cheaper than at home, it is certain,y cheaper for us here than in ... Read More
Qatar Vs Saudi Arabia - Pro's & Con's by hamlay
Hi All, I'm considering a possible move to Qatar with my family. I am a Western Expat currently living in Saudi Arabia. I'm interested to hear any experiences from people who have lived & worked in both Saudi & Qatar and which they believe is the ...
Hi All, I'm considering a possible move to Qatar with my family. I am a Western Expat currently living in Saudi Arabia. I'm interested to hear any experiences from people who have lived & worked in both Saudi & Qatar and which they believe is the ... Read More
Cost of a maid or nanny in Doha?
I am considering moving from Riyadh to Doha and am looking at the cost of living issues. One thing I have not spotted on the forum is a ball park figure for a house maid or nanny to take care of the children. How much is this likely to ... Read More
Advice - Family Compound around 170,000sar by BC-2012
Hi All, can anyone advise the names of some family friendly western ompounds that offer a 3 bedroom for approx 170,000pa? Preferably the names of accommodation that may have availability. Thank for all your assistance.
seder village has a waiting list a mile long :(None of the waiting lists in Saudi are real, you need to know a man who knows a man to pull some strings. It is the only way to get anything done. California looks a long way off finished and I think ... Read More
New Expat arriving end of August - Need Help! by ray1234
Hello Everyone, I am moving to Riyadh from U.S. in the end of August. I have couple of questions that I need some help with. I will be staying around Al Rayaan area. [b]1)[/b] My husband will be flying end of September and I need to have a high ...
Regarding th Internet, you already seem to know more than me. Saudi has odd rules on electrical sockets but generally does not follow any rules. You generally find. Amid of euro, us and uk sockets in each place with both 127V and 220V power. On ... Read More
Teaching Job Offer in Riyadh--Advice Needed by impala
Hello everyone. I am a teacher from Canada. I have been offered a teaching job in Riyadh. The package that the school has offered me is the following: 1.Basic Salary-- 14,000 SAR/Month 2. Transportation Allowance-- 600 SAR/Month 3. Accomodation ...
Hi Kamran, How much do you think that I can save per month based on this salary?This will depend very much on your lifestyle, coming from Canada I guess you are aiming for western comforts which do not come cheap here. I am not sure what type of ... Read More
Horse riding by clairesj
Hi, can anyone recommend a good place to take my 8 year old daughter for riding lessons please? and also for me to ride (experienced rider) Thanks
There is an equestrian centre in the DQ and also something at the Arazona compound. I have been talking about contacting them for the last 18 months but have not actually done it so have no experience of either. Read More
No Hijab in a Western Compound??!! by fotos&butterflies
..sooo....let me get this straight. I'm not allowed to reside in a Western compound even though I'm from a Western country and wear the hijab? I enjoy the freedom of hijab in the US & Canada...but the rules are different inside the compounds? I ...
.... western compounds cost a fortune to live in, people (me included) are will to pay the price to get what we see as a bit of home style normality.How much more expensive are they for singles? Can EFL teachers be able to afford to live in western ... Read More
No Hijab in a Western Compound??!! by fotos&butterflies
..sooo....let me get this straight. I'm not allowed to reside in a Western compound even though I'm from a Western country and wear the hijab? I enjoy the freedom of hijab in the US & Canada...but the rules are different inside the compounds? I ...
Out of curiosity, western compounds cost a fortune to live in, people (me included) are will to pay the price to get what we see as a bit of home style normality. Why would you blow that level of money if you are happy to live in the local ... Read More
Place for jogging by mykingdom
Hello everybody. Does anyone know a nice place for runner near tahlia and holaya. or any suggestions for sport activity
I'll be moving to Riyadh (near Olaya/Tahlia) in a few weeks. Is it permissable to wear shorts when running--either outdoors or in a fitness center like FirstFitness in the Localizer Mall? An old 80s-expat told me "No." I just wanted to confirm. ... Read More
Wooden Bakery
I passed a branch of the Wooden Bakery somewhere near the Imam University but cannot fing it again. Ones anyone know where it is? Not the main one by the Mecca Road, this was a small shop. I fancy a bit of cake Read More
Riyadh- medicine for children - calpol?
Try Boots in the Sahara Mall they tend to have some of the more familiar European brands. We brought some with us so have not needed to buy any here yet. Read More
lebanese restuarants by adham302
Can you tell me the name of some lebanese restuarants... I cant go a day without my plate of Hommos and Fatoush...hehehe
There are dozens of them about the town. Where to go depends on where in the city you are. I have yet to find a spot that beats Mama Noura for hummus though (King Abdullah road just west of Olaya and a few other branches) I am far from an expert in ... Read More
Arriving 10 October: A few questions by andrieso
Hi! I will be arriving in Riyadh on 10 October, final destination as yet unknown, probably Tabuk, but I have no problem where I end up. I need advice on some practical issues: [b]Voltage[/b]: My home country uses 220v. Do I need an adapter for ...
Welcome now to Riyadh. Glad your entry went smoothly - hope you settle in well. Find your nearby shops, Carrefour or Hyperpander are the big shopping markets. Tamimi supermarket will sell a lot of your home/UK/USA goodies. Find a good taxi guy ... Read More
Cat Kennels by Kenan_H
[color=#4B36C8]Hi there My wife and I live in Riyadh for a year now. Having arrived from Bahrain where pet needs are very good, in contrary here in Riyadh situation is not so bright. We have discovered only one cat boarding with tiny kennels, ...
I lived in the city centre for a while and the cats just wandered the streets. I am sure if you left them there for a few weeks they would be fine. Read More
Moving to Riyadh and have 1000 questions by sizzles
Hello members! I have spent some time reading through many of the posts here and they had been really helpful! I do still have a bunch of questions as I'm moving to Riyadh soon and so the anticipation and nerves are kicking in! Just a bit about ...
I would agree with what the other have said. SAR150k will get out compound accommodation but you will spend all of it. Be prepared to do a lot of leg work, be charming and even do a fair bit of ass kissing with compound managers to get in the ... Read More
Riyadh Compounds? by sizzles
Hi There! I'm moving to Riyadh on the 27th of November 2011 and I need to get a compound, my work is trying to get me in but said its very difficult, they suggested FAL as it has places available, however I've heard it's not the greatest place for ...
If you are going to be working by the airport the best compounds to be looking at are probably Arizona, Cordoba, Al Hamra or Kingdom City which are all at the top end (both in facilities and price). Places like Eid, Granada and Nadj are on the right ... Read More
Family vs Single contract
I am trying to get my company to switch me from a single status to family contract. Does anyone know the differences in KSA Labour Law. I know that for a single contract they have to give expat staff health insurance and an allowance towards ... Read More
salary - Compounds and Where to go etc etc by TonyTravels
Hi, My names Tony and I'm about to move to Riyahd and work for a retail company... I've been offered a contract for 16,000 per month but with no extras... I have no qualifications and am only coming out on my experience... So what I want to know ...
If you are a single male I would not be too fussed about living on a compound as they are serious money. I recently moved onto one as my wife and children have come here too and a two bed apartment is costing me SR140k a year. You would get ... Read More
Things to do in Riyadh this summer
Good article and good info. My wife and children are arriving in Riyadh in a couple of weeks so any tips on what there is to do are appreciated. Read More
How about this offer? Thank you for your input. by New/to/Riyadh
Dear Sir/Madam: I received a tentative offer from a big company to work as a senior scientist in Riyadh. Base Salary: SR 30000/month. Accomodation: Furnished living or 20% of base salary. Research Allowance: 20% to 40% of base salary (1st year, ...
Welcome to Riyadh, 20% of 30k a month should be enough for accommodation, it will depend on what you are looking for. If you want to live on a western compound (which will not be downtown)you will struggle but in the open market you will get ... Read More
Running Gear? by DesertRunner
Hey guys! I just got reassigned here in Riyadh from Dammam. I used to run with the club in Saudi Aramco, and thus we never had any problems doing our training in proper running shorts. The problem I have here in Riyadh is that I will not run in ...
The DQ is the place to go for a run. There is a nice trail around the perimeter which is about 10 miles around. I have done a good bit if running there and usually go in a singlet and running shorts. I have never been running out around the streets ... Read More
Camping supplies by SihamSolomon
Hi Can someone please tell me where ot get hiking and camping equipment and utensils in Riyadh. A name of a store or mall please. Thanks you
Saco usually have a half decent selection of camping gear. They have a few branches around the town. There is a big one near the China Mall. I bought a SAR29 sleeping bag in Panda before going camping in the dessert last year and it was the coldest ... Read More
Where to get a leather briefcase
I am looking to get a man's briefcase for work. Any thoughts on where to get one? I do not want to pay a fortune in a designers shop and I do not want to buy a cheap crappy fake one either. Are there any good spot where I could get one made? Read More
Safety Shoes by CivEngr
Anyone out there know where the best place is to buy steel toe safety shoes? I need to replace mine.
I got mine at the Cat store in Sulimanya, it is near the Coral Hotel and the Al Jazeera shopping centre. They cost me about SAR250. They have seen better days but have given good service over the last seven months. there is no mesh in the soles and ... Read More
Tennis Anyone? by slopez909
Been in Riyadh for almost 3 years and just found out that there may be others like me looking to play tennis. I am a USTA rated 4.0+ level player with 4.5 level experience. Originally from L.A., California. Doubles is more fun than Singles. I am ...
Been in Riyadh for almost 3 years and just found out that there may be others like me looking to play tennis. I am a USTA rated 4.0+ level player with 4.5 level experience. Originally from L.A., California. Doubles is more fun than Singles. I am ... Read More
Tennis Anyone? by slopez909
Been in Riyadh for almost 3 years and just found out that there may be others like me looking to play tennis. I am a USTA rated 4.0+ level player with 4.5 level experience. Originally from L.A., California. Doubles is more fun than Singles. I am ...
I would be interested in giving tennis a go. I have not played other than tipping around before so would be looking for a club/group with a bit of coaching. I am only here a week so am still going through the phase of doing everything on offer to ... Read More
What to do on Friday? by josullivan
I am arriving in Riyadh on riday morning and start work on Saturday. I have one day to have a look around. Any thoughts on what I should do? I will probably need to buy bed linen bt other than that anything goes!!
Finally arrived this morning. All a bit of a shock to the system. Coach class on BA is not much good for comfort so I am dazed and sleep deprived. I am staying in a villa in Sulaymaniyah which seems pretty central. One of my new house mates gave ... Read More
What to do on Friday? by josullivan
I am arriving in Riyadh on riday morning and start work on Saturday. I have one day to have a look around. Any thoughts on what I should do? I will probably need to buy bed linen bt other than that anything goes!!
Finally arrived this morning. All a bit of a shock to the system. Coach class on BA is not much good for comfort so I am dazed and sleep deprived. I am staying in a villa in Sulaymaniyah which seems pretty central. One of my new house mates gave ... Read More
What to do on Friday? by josullivan
I am arriving in Riyadh on riday morning and start work on Saturday. I have one day to have a look around. Any thoughts on what I should do? I will probably need to buy bed linen bt other than that anything goes!!
Riyadh/Rio, I have been mixing those two up for weeks. Me thinks I am going to have to switch to Plan B...... Read More
What to do on Friday? by josullivan
I am arriving in Riyadh on riday morning and start work on Saturday. I have one day to have a look around. Any thoughts on what I should do? I will probably need to buy bed linen bt other than that anything goes!!
I have my plan for Friday, I arrive at the airport about 6am. I am going to have the full Irish breakfast, sausages, bacon, the lot to set me up for the day. Then I will hit the beach, probably the mixed nudie one. When it gets too hot in the ... Read More
What to do on Friday?
I am arriving in Riyadh on riday morning and start work on Saturday. I have one day to have a look around. Any thoughts on what I should do? I will probably need to buy bed linen bt other than that anything goes!! Read More
Gamers / Tech People Out There? by beezer
Hey all, Yes, we're all old and rusted. But I still play video games and play around with technology when time (and wife) allow it. I mess around on my phone (HTC Diamond 2) and it's WinMo system, configuring and crashing it as best I can. I play ...
I am old and rusted too but still fancy the old video games. I am a console convert though. My poor PS3 has been in the attic since baby 2 arrived last year but I am moving to Riyadh next week without the family so the playstation has been dusted ... Read More