Hi- I came to Kuwait from the States about a year and a half ago with my husband and daughter and we love living in Kuwait. I have friends that have had their babies here and have made a lot of great friends here. Send me your questions and I will do my best to answer.
Lockridgea@yahoo.com

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Thank you for responding. I don't know where to start......
1. I'm concerned about how to find out which are the best kinders, pre-schools - schools academically.
2. Which are the best hospitals ie that have the best doctors - my youngest is a severe asthmatic and we visit the children's hospital here in Australia reguarly.
3. Did you take all your belongings over? I'm not sure what to take and what we will need.
4. Would you have your baby in Kuwait? I'm scared!
5. My kids are only 3 and 2 what do kids do in Kuwait? I only flew over for a few days and didn't see any parks / playgrounds?
6. What are the best areas to live in? All I know is that my husband will be working in the city of Kuwait. From what I saw their accommodation is very different to where we live in Australia. It was recommended to live in an apartment style home but my kids are so use to space and a backyard?
7. Do I need to stock up on 'Aussie' things such as nappies, formula, entertainment for the kids etc or is it easy to get?
8. How hot does it get? Do the kids go swimming in the beach? Are there swimming lessons for kids etc as we have in Australia for them to learn.
9. How old is your daughter? Does she like living in Kuwait? Does she go to school etc.....
10. Are medications easy to come by - ventolin for asthma or should I bring over medications??

Thank you again for your help. Please keep in touch I'd love to meet you when we get there in the next few months.

Kind regard
AL

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I will just try and go through your list and give you some basic info

schools: most kids around here go to some type of school/playgroup around age 2 It seems young, but it is a great way for them(and you) to meet others.My daughter is in PreKG at The English School and she loves it www.tes.edu.kw

hospitals- there are private clinics that are good
and this hospital also has a clinic. I have used it and have been happy so far with it www.newmowasat.com

Our move was paid for so we brought most of our stuff
but we will also be living here for awhile. So it depends on your time frame and where you will live

This is a great place for young kids. My daughter is 3 and i spend more time driving her around to her social activities than I spend on my own

where to live-this can depend on what you are looking for and what your housing allowance will be many expats live in Salwa but don't be afraid to look around. Sometimes you can get more space for your money if you look in "Kuwaiti neighborhoods" You will get more amenties(pool,workout,playground) if you go with a complex
it's hard to say what is best- because this depends on what you want (quiet, close to shopping,around other expats, pooletc....)
if his work is putting you in temporay housing- take the time to stay there and look around to find an area that works for you
other people may tell you the "best place" to live-but it may not work for you

You can find about anything you need here-most of us switch to local brands because it is cheaper. I would try and stock up on your meds until you can find a doctor here. You may not be able to get the exact prescription you use.

Hot? yes but not year round. Do bring some light sweaters,jackets,clothes etc.....
You will find that most expats/and Kuwaitis leave Kuwait for the summer. So if you arrive during this time- you may not meet many people. School starts in Sept so most of us are back by the end of Aug

There are many clubs and beaches to go swimming. You will also find swimming lessons too.

I know you must have 100's more questions (we all did before we moved here)and I really didn't get too in depth so feel free to email anytime. It really can be a great place to live and you will find there are a lot of great people here that are really open to meeting and including new people in their social circle.

Hope all goes well and keep in touch.
Lockridgea@yahoo.com

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Have a look at www.paguro.com expat location Kuwait - will answer alot of your other questions. The expat community is v. supportive - have no fears! Ensure your husbands contract is negotiated to cover all ccosts.

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Thank you so much for responding to my message. My husband is currently negotiating his contract. Can you elaborate on what you mean by cover all costs??? This is our first time moving overseas so any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I will definately check out the website you gave me. The feeling I'm getting is that the expats are extremely welcoming and supportive - it doesn't make it any easier when my hormones (due to my pregnancy) are driving me crazy with nerves regarding the move to Kuwait. Look forward to your response.

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Hi,

I have been in Kuwait now for a couple of months. My wife and children (aged 8 & 3) are about to join me. I didn't really know what to expect but i have really fallen for the place. It is a very relaxed place and far more friendly than i expected.

School wise, there are many to choose from. I will be sending my childern to Kuwait English school (www.kes.edu.kw). I am aussie myself and i have two fellow aussie work colleagues one of which is about to bring his kids over to go to the same school, so have no fear!!

I would imagine that your husband would have his medical cover as part of the package and the hospitals here are very professional. You will be in good hands.

I am about to move into Salwa which is a good place, lots of amenities at hand and the scholl is just around the corner. The place is small, so anywhere is accessible. There are some rough areas, but that is to be expected anywhere, just look at Redfern!!

My job entails working with many expats and there is a good network of people. We are only at the beginning of our adventure here and very much looking forward to what is to come.

Feel free to contact us here if you have any questions and give us a shout when you arrive. If you need numbers etc. let me know.

cheers,

GM.

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There are a lot of Westerners in Kuwait and you will find that most of us are very supportive. There are also women's groups like the British Ladies Society and American Women's League that will help you transition into society here (find schools, activities, friends). The most useful resource book I've found (in my 10 years in Kuwait) is the Kuwait Pocket Guide. All of these resources are available online. You can also check out www.kuwaitblogs.com for personal experiences in the country. Don't worry about having a baby here - I 2nd the motion that Mowasat Hospital (+965-572-6666 or online) is VERY good. Dr. Gazawi is an OB/GYN and excellent. You will be surprised to find that Kuwait really isn't so scary! You can always write to me and I can help you meet other Westerners who may be able to provide their perspectives.

amerab@gmail.com

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Forgot to tell you - when your husband is negotiating his contract, make SURE that he gets PRIVATE health insurance (Gulf Insurance is excellent). Health care through government hospitals is AWFUL.

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Hi
I came to Kuwait 4 years ago with a young daughter and a newborn son. Don't fret. It is an easy and safe place to live in when you have kids. Don't underestimate the value of domestic help!

TES is a great school. I would advise you to put your kids there to start with. They have a very good Mum's and Tot's group which is a real life saver when you have small kids. Join immediately! For your sanity! I find KES is better academically, but TES is great for early years, and a great place to meet other Mums who are new to Kuwait. Very social.

School fees are a major expense. Some companies pay this. Rent is also expensive.

I have used the government healthcare here very sucessfully, but you have to know the ropes. I can let you have more details when you get here. The local clinic is fine for flu, vaccines, etc. International Clinics can be really pricey. I tend to use the government system for scans, exrays, etc. then take the results of the tests to a more expensive doctor. This has worked very well for me, but you need guidance from someone who has done it before as it can be a bit scary at first.

You can contact me directly if you have any other concerns.
scockcroft@hotmail.com (also MSN)

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This is the most informative topic I've found since I am in a similar position as the original poster. I will be moving to Kuwait in about 2 months. I have a 4 year old and I am leaning towards The English School.

I am extremely nervous, as well as excited, to make the move. I've decided to stay for one year to see how it goes.

Tuition I guess is $8000 US/year for any (Pre-school) school in Kuwait, right?

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Hi Al

I know it is a good few years since you posted this first message. I was wondering if you are still living in Kuwait. Like you in 2006 I'm going to be joining my husband this coming August with my little boy of 4 yrs and would like to make friends with some fellow expats. I wonder if I could use you for some advice/maybe meet up for a coffee once I arrive. Last year I was living in Saudi but my stay there was only for 1yr and 4months, so I'm not entirely new to the middle east but I do know how hard it can be to set up a network of friends especially when your husband is at work all day. Any advice would be greatly apppreciated. Kind Regards H

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1. My wife wants to come and live, is it safe?
2. Are you able to buy groceries, milk coffee bread ECT ?
3. Want kind of housing will be provided?
4. Can you buy a car?
5. Is there alcohol to buy?
Please provide any tips that will help!
Thank you!

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1. yes
2. yes
3. depends
4. yes
5. not legally
a tip book on kuwait can be 100's of pages
what do you want to know

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Hello!
I was so glad to find this website and read that other families are going through this transition!My husband has been working in Kuwait for teh last 8 months and now we are moving to Kuwait to be with him. I have a 2 year old son and am really nervous about the move. I would love love love to meet other westerner's that are in the same situation. We will be moving in August! Any advice is appreciated! And when we get there I would love coffee/play dates as my husband will work 2 days at a time. Thanks again!!

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We go to the International Clinic and Al Seef Hospital in Salmiya. We like them. I have had surgery at that hospital and they were great. With the dust in Kuwait, I suspect your asthmatic child will be visiting a clinic a lot. It would probably help to live in the neighborhood of the doctor as roads can get bogged down during the 4 daily drive times. (Salmiya is nice and where a lot of expats live, but it is crowded and expensive there.) Many people put their children in masks when it appears even slightly dusty out.

There is a good Mom's expat group. I think it is listed on this site. A new swimming organization has opened, called Aqua-Tots Kuwait. It is from the US. You can google it for the web info. They start water safety at 6 months.

We rent a villa flat. Usually a villa is about 3 stories or more, counting the basement, sometimes there are only 2 floors. But they are huge. If you can afford it, you can rent a whole villa. They are kind of like mini apartment builidings with the main 2 or 3 floors lived in by a Kuwaiti and extended family. Then the top floor or two are designed as 2 or 3 bedroom flats and rented out. Sometimes you can find an entire floor with more bedrooms, etc. We do not have a yard or patio at all. Some places do have a patio and during the cool times, some kids play on the flat, railed roofs. I have seen few true yards here, like what we are used to. There are some parks, but not usually near homes. Also play equipment is being put in at some beaches. Kids do paddle in the water, but I don't see that very much.

Many parents put their young ones in nurseries for play time with other children. FYI: Often most of the nurseries are over 90% Kuwaiti, which is fine if you want your children exposed to Arabic and culture, which can be a very good thing, but this is how it would be at English speaking nurseries. (The Kuwaitis are keen on their children learning English, which slowly happens, but kids being kids, they speak what they know.)

We like living here. It is very calm and laid back. Feel free to contact me with any questions. I am not an expert, but have lived here long enough to start to feel like I am getting a handle on things.

By the way, if any of you take medications on a regualr basis, it would be wise to try and find out if they are available in Kuwait. Several friends and my husband can not get certain specailized meds here, as they aren't available yet. It has been a problem if there isn't an alternative type of medication available and they are a controlled drug. For example, our insurance has mail order services to Kuwait, but the US requires a DEA # for certain meds and we can't use a local prescription to fill it through mail order because no US DEA #. So stock up if you need to.

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Hi there, Kuwait is very safe. I would recomend putting your children into AIS school in salmiya or ASK. both these schools are very good and follow western beliefs. If you are looking for a good housing or vehicle rentals check out western housing solutions, they are an American company that can help. www.whs-kuwait.com good luck and have fun.

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