harry76
10/24/2013 17:30 EST
Hi there, Will be moving to Rabigh to work with Aramco. Would it be better for me to live in Jeddah & commute? Or live in Rabigh (in an expat compound) itself?
If I live in Rabigh, would that mean I will have to commute to Jeddah every weekend for outings/malls/etc/anything social? How are the compounds in Rabigh?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
thanks!
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bobj69
From: Turkey
10/25/2013 00:49 EST
I lived in Jeddah for over 5 years and it would be better to live in Jeddah and commute. Rabigh is small dirty town where there is no compounds for westerners. I have a friend who live in Rabigh and had to live in an apartment which was not furnished with much at all. There is a nice compound out past the Jeddah airport called Azama Compound. I live in the Azama compound and that would put you closer to Rabigh and close to the beaches of North Abhur. Are you an Aramco direct employee or a SMP employee?
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harry76
10/25/2013 05:05 EST
Thanks for the input. I have got conflicting opinions on where to live. Some say the travel can be painful from Jeddah to Rabigh every day (2 hrs each way!) with a relatively high rate of road accidents in the kingdom.
Didn't know Rabigh did not have any expat compounds?!
I would be a direct employee, I think, how would that be different from SMP? What is SMP?
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bobj69
From: Turkey
10/25/2013 08:15 EST
If you are going to be a direct hire for Aramco then Aramco has their own compound or as they call them camp in Rabigh. It's a nice camp to. Right on the Red Sea. SMP are people like me who are contractors but work for Aramco. SMP is Supplemental Manpower. I actually work for a company who has a contract with Aramco to supply them with certain professional manpower. I'm a Safety Advisor for Aramco on new construction projects.
It is a nice driver from Jeddah to Rabigh and the roads can be dangerous. However, if you just watch the roads and the other drivers it's not a problem. The Saudis do drive fast and will cut you off in a heart beat. Not trying to scare you, just letting you know what facts. I have been here since 1998 and drive the roads every day. You just have to use common since when behind the wheel.
Where are you coming from? What activities do you like to do? Do you know how to scuba dive? If so you will enjoy the diving in Jeddah. If not and want to learn I can hook you up with a scuba diving instructor. IF you would like to learn how to square dance, I can put you in contact with a square dance club in Jeddah. There are things to do in Saudi Arabia, but many are within the walls of compounds. The beaches on the north end of Jeddah are nice and private. They are ran by hotels and a good place to go on the weekend.
If you need to know anything else just let me know. Good luck.
Bob
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bobj69
From: Turkey
10/25/2013 08:18 EST
Forgot something. If you are an Aramco direct employee and live in the Aramco camp in Rabigh, you have you own private beach there. However, to do any major shopping you will have to go to Jeddah.
Bob
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harry76
10/25/2013 09:45 EST
Thanks for the detailed info Bob. That was helpful.
Yes, interested in all the activities you have mentioned. Lets see how things go. There is still some time with the paper work.
Thanks again!
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harry76
3/31/2014 01:50 EST
Hi there - another question. Another question - if I had the option between Aramco's camp in Rabigh & King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), which would be a better option to choose for living?
Place of work would be Petro Rabigh.
Any ideas or feedback on which location would be a better option would be appreciated.
Thanks a ton!!
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c3katieb
4/2/2014 03:05 EST
I have only been to Rabigh once, and have never seen the 'camp' there, but I live in KAEC, and it is very nice. It is still new, but growing very quickly, with restaurants, beaches, and parks. In another year, the sports center will be finished, as well as a golf course. It's probably half way in between Jeddah and Rabigh. If you like a new, clean, quiet environment right on the Red Sea, then I would suggest KAEC. Good luck!
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harry76
4/3/2014 01:52 EST
That was helpful Katie. Thank you! Will perhaps have it figure it out when I get there.
Cheers!
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Kamari
4/13/2014 07:27 EST
Hi, I'm in the same position moving to Rabigh oil refinery. I stayed in a terrible "hotel" for 2 nights and ran to Jeddah for now.
I'm supposed t get accommodation on Rabigh compound but seemingly it's not ready yet.
KAED seems ideal, but do you think could get accommodation for short term there?..like 1-3 months?
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harry76
4/13/2014 10:30 EST
Hi there - I haven't arrived yet so no clue on what to expect.
Do you think the compound in Rabigh (whenever ready) would be better than living in KAEC (if living in KAEC was an option)?
Also, do you know when will the Rabigh compound be ready? Have they (PR) shared timelines with you?
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BrianD
3/23/2015 20:06 EST
Hi Harry,
Have you mobilized yet? I'd like to learn your experience.
thanks,
Brian
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harry76
3/24/2015 12:23 EST
KAEC is your best option, if the company has offered you housing. Alternatively, you can live in a compound in Jeddah. Either way, once you get here you will have the time to look at options. Give yourself atleast one month to sort out everything (banking/housing, etc).
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harry76
3/24/2015 12:23 EST
KAEC is your best option, if the company has offered you housing. Alternatively, you can live in a compound in Jeddah. Either way, once you get here you will have the time to look at options. Give yourself atleast one month to sort out everything (banking/housing, etc).
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rkorandy85
4/5/2015 07:41 EST
I am moving to petrorabigh through a SMP contactor. I would like to bring my family over there. Where could I accommodate them? Is rabigh city worth for accommodating them?What is the distance between rabigh city and petrorabigh plant? What about the houses in rabigh city? What would be the rent per month? What about shopping malls? Other amenities for food? Education for children? Indian schools? Hospitals? Finally security/safety? kindly help me
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meetmian
2/11/2016 06:05 EST
I AM MOVING TO RABIGH FROM UAE I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ACCOMMODATION & SCHOOLING IN RABIGH FOR GRADE 11, 10 & 7 CAN ANY ONE GUIDE ME. WHICH PLACE IS BETTER FOR FAMILY LIVING AND WHICH SCHOOL IS AVAILABLE IN RABIGH
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shagesh
5/2/2016 18:37 EST
You can refer the following page for complete details about Rabigh..
http://gulfclassifiedz.com/?s=about+rabigh
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