jimmytbird
From: Kuwait
5/9/2005 00:24 EST
First of all I want ot thank everyone who has written and replied on this site as it has given me some insight into Kuwait. I have been offered an Accounting posiiton by an American contractor. The contractor will pay for my housing, car, kids education. I am scared to death to be honest with you. I do not know wherther to accept this position or not and am trying to get as much information as I can to make an informed decision.
What would it be like for my family two daughters (6 and 11) and my wife. My wife is highly educated speaks (seven languages) and would not be content with shopping all day. Are there opportunities to do meaningful work for her there. If she and my kids are not happy then I will not be.
Schools - which ones and how would that influence where one lives. REALLY IMPORTANT
They have offered me a salary of $85,000. Is it a good salary in Kuwait and can I save some money there? My reason for going to Kuwait are not monetary in nature but to give my daughters a different perspective on the world (everything is not U.S. centric) but I would like to save some money if possible. I will have access to the PX in Camp Doha I believe.
What things should I make to sure include in the employment contract before signing?
Will my daughter find children their own ages to play with?
Will my family be bored in the summer? I've read so many stories on here about people people bored.
What are working conditions like?
I understand Kuwait has a 48 hour work week. Do they expect more than that? I've read of long hours and little to do.
How about the driving? Is it really dangerous to drive there? I drive on the beltway in D.C. everyday so it is busy but I don't
want to have my family killed in an auto accident.
Can my family leave the country for long weekend trips to Africa and Middle East or will there be a problem with visas etc.
Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. I have to let my potential employers know within a week.
Thank you very much
Jim
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draki
From: Australia
5/9/2005 19:48 EST
Jim,
I fully understand your situation.
I have accepted a job in Kuwait last month, and I will start around 1st week in July.
I went there to check things out my self for one week and it was the most valuable trip of my life.
I also have two kids 10 & 4.
Overall things are much better than you hear in media.
Every individual case is different, but I think we might have lots of thing in common.
I am from Australia but I used to leave in Dallas and Chicago for very long time.
You can email me at alborz@ihug.com.au for any more detail questions
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draki
From: Australia
5/10/2005 03:32 EST
Hi Jim,
Did you get my reply.
I can answer most of your question because I was ther in Kuwait 3 weeks ago
You can contact me at alborz@ihug.com.au
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Paguro
From: Kuwait
5/11/2005 05:37 EST
Jimmy
Children: The children will have loads of friends, my two closest American friends chose different options - one has here 6 and 11 year old girls at The American School (which you may want to consider) the other with a 6 and 9 year old chose The English School so you can go American, International, English system etc to give your children a different perspective.
Yes your wife can find meaningful work or full employment over here and the benefits are that you get in that you find fantastic house help at a small cost allowing you to enjoy much more time with the family - no gardening to do / maintenance etc.
In truth alot of people go away for a month in the summer and it is very hot BUT come 20th August - there are most of the people back. Paguro is a community here that brings all the different associations together (American, Anzac, Brit, SA, etc) and they have a kids waterpark day in Aug so the kids meet specific people who will be in their year - so keep in touch and we can link you into that.
Salary - you should save some! Cost of living is reasonable here - most items you can get - International supermarkets are American merchandized - vanilla essence is one of the only things we could really say is not the quality you are used to, but everything is here somewhere!
Living - the traffic is not fun (but this is getting the same anywhere in the world) so living doesn't make a huge difference, everywhere is reasonable - I have very good real estate contacts who 'give a real picture'.
48 hrs should be complied with - maybe in the beginning it is more intense, but usually you should manage to stick to it.
There are still plenty of people with children and activities for kids in the summer - you need to get a etwork going and that is easy here as most people are expats so the community is sooooooo welcoming compared to where people do not move around.
Visas are a walk in the park - you can pop anywhere for weekends.
To include in the contract: private medical and dental, utilities, housing upto 1200 KD for month, schooling to be paid (check American school fees), transfer of a container for furniture or a set up alllowance.
Hope this helps, pls feel free to ask away.
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jimmytbird
From: Kuwait
5/11/2005 11:34 EST
Thank you all for the relevant information. We are still considering the offer but the info certainly helps us make a more informed decision. I really appreciate all of the info everyone has provided. I wouldn't have been able to get an insight into Kuwait any other way. If I have more questions I will ask.
Thank you very much
Jim
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jimmytbird
From: Kuwait
5/11/2005 11:37 EST
draki,
I sent you several questions yesterday I am not sure if you received them. I didin't want to bother asking too many questions.
If you didn't get them please let me know and I will resend if not too much of a bother.
thanks,
jim
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jimmytbird
From: Kuwait
5/11/2005 11:42 EST
What areas of the city should I be looking at if I am interested in sending the kids to the Brisitsh School of Kuwait, the English School or thte American Int'l School. We would we looking for a 3 bedroom condo in a nice secure neighborhood. I will be working in Camp Doha. Any info would be great.
thanks,
jim
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pagurine
From: Kuwait
5/13/2005 04:34 EST
Jimmy, BSK (Brit School ) is on edge of Salwa, just off the 30 which goes right into town and down to Camp Doha (via the 40) so basically any area is ok for this, plus TES (The English School) is again 5 mins from the 30. The (American) ASK is a little harder to get to, being in Hawally. So basically, any area is only going to be 20 mins from the school - and there are lots of villas (not many with communal pools) / apartments/ semi apartments (with shared pools). Salwa has the majority of condo-type facilities but it is very crowded and parking / traffic is not fun there. Basically it is a case of looking with a realtor and seeing what is avaialbe - and there is so much being built here, you will have no problem - just ensure as I mentioned you negotiate an appropriate allowance.
Many people have membership to clubs with pools and gyms.
As you are working at Camp Doha, you may want to live a little further to the South at Abu Halifa or Mangaf if the family are using the facilities at the camp. West Mishref, Bayan.
All these areas are mixed population so very safe and friendly.
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Paguro
From: Kuwait
5/14/2005 09:03 EST
Jimmy - just ensure that you know how long the company will be working out of Camp Doha and check if there are relocation plans for them and if so, where to as this could have an impact on where you choose to live.
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akahl
From: Kuwait
5/16/2005 09:31 EST
Actually, I believe pagurine is confusing Camp Arifjan with Camp Doha. Camp Arifjan is the one to the south out on 30 & 40. You would have to take Ring Road 6 to get to Camp Doha further to the North.
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Paguro
From: Kuwait
5/16/2005 12:46 EST
Akahl, you are quite correct - my points could be taken as ambiguous. The point I was intending to make was - live south of the 5th ring road to avoid traffic congestion, thus allowing you to go to work on the 6th and children to go to school up the 30. But as my last post said - I think the other point is to ensure that the company will still be using Camp Doha before you make a final decision on where you live. However, as has been said by someone, a 'recce' trip OR visiting housing on arrival with a good realtor will soon make your decision for you.
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jimmytbird
From: Kuwait
5/16/2005 15:57 EST
Thanks for the updated info. This site has been useful. I am checking it daily maybe I shouldn't not just for my postings but others as well.
The company that I am negotiating with has said that they will provide a 3 bedroom condo of their dhoosing which I am a little skeptical about. They have said that they have housing all around the city but I am concerned for my wife and kids I don't want them to be far from school or other daily acitivties for them. They haven't stated an allowance but rather have said they wil provide me housing. Any ideas?
If and when I get to Kuwati dinner is at my house.
thanks,
Jimmy
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