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Saudi Arabia: Horseback riding in Riyadh:
I would like to find out where one could horseback riding lessons or simply ride for pleasure in the Riyadh area, for my wife, who is an avid horsewoman, riding instructor and equine masseuse.
Any information would be appreciated, including facility location, riding styles, availability, costs,etc.
Thanks very much,
Robert
Saudi Arabia: Quickbooks accountant / bookeeper:
If you are (or know) a person with Quickbooks experience in setup, installation and bookeeping, please contact me.
I work with a 20-person consulting firm in Riyadh and we want to install Quickbooks Premier Pro. Need someone to walk the admin people through the setup of the Chart of Accounts, setting up the system, training and then to help with accounting/closing at the end of each month until we can handle it.
Please contact me if you can help us, asap.
Thank you,
Rob Osborne
Saudi Arabia: Dogs in Riyadh:
Regarding accommodations, you'll likely find that it will be 3-5 months before something comes available that will accommodate you and your dogs. There are very long waiting lists, especially for the nicer and larger compounds.
Suggest you contact a housing consultant like MoveOne - here's a link. http://www.moveoneinc.com/logistics/regions/middle-east/saudi-arabia/
They have different packages, including home search. If you contact them in advance, they can provide very useful information and even schedule showings of compounds. They will also be able to advise on dogs, moving, etc. I think their fees are worth the investment.
Good luck.
Saudi Arabia: Relocation to Riyadh:
Hello Vivi,
You can look at http://ksa.dubizzle.com/ to help you with the automotive costs. You'll probably want to downsize vehicles here, in my opinion. Traffic is a zoo, and the bigger the car, the more difficult it is to maneuver and park. Fuel cost is very low.
As to the compound, I don't know about that specific one. However, since it was one of the target ones in 2003, you'll find that it probably has extra-high security now, which is a good rather than bad thing. It is much safer here now than it was then, since the government stepped up security, and there have been no attacks or bombings here in recent years.
You might find someone on this site who could advise on the compound: http://www.expat-blog.com/en/nationalities/american/in/middle-east/saudi-arabia/riyadh/
Food costs are reasonable, although probably 20-50% more for US-Brands. Fresh vegetables and fruits are slightly more expensive than the US.
Here's a link to a blog question where someone is moving from that compound. Perhaps this will help. http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=70703
Good luck,
Robert
Saudi Arabia: Bringing a dog to Riyadh:
As I understand it, there are only two types of dogs that expatriates can bring into the Kingdom: Hunting Dogs and Guard Dogs. Depending on the breed, this might present a problem.
Check out this link, though I can't confirm how current or accurate it is, and also just Google the topic.
http://www.hziegler.com/locations/middle-east/articles/bringing-your-pets-to-middle-east.html
However, you'll want to confirm that your housing accomodations will allow pets, that there is a place to walk and poop your dog, etc. Saudi Arabia isn't a very dog-friendly place unless you're in a compound with a lot of open space, and certainly not if you're in an apartment or hotel.
Check with your employer first - this may not even be a possibility, especially if you're here on single status and non-compound accomodations.
Good luck,
Rob
Saudi Arabia: navigation:
I use Garmin, and it works reasonably well. I've purchased and use the Middle East maps from Garmin.
I can't, however, speak to how it compares to other systems.
Saudi Arabia: BLACK AMERICAN EXPAT IN SEARCH OF SERIOUS FEMALE COMPANIONSHIP:
For Americans in Riyadh: The mission of the American Community of Riyadh is to enrich the lives of Americans and other expatriates through social, cultural and educational programs. If you wish to be included on their mailing list, please send an email to the following address
director@acrsa.com
with the following information:
provide the following:
Full name
e-mail you would want them to use
Mobile #
Nationality
Compound/District where you reside
That’s it. Once they receive your information, you will begin to receive their newsletter and additional program information as it unfolds.
Their contact information is :
Director
American Community of Riyadh
Office: 491-4270 x220
Mobile: 053 311 9113
Saudi Arabia: Family Health Care:
There is no "usually" when it comes to healthcare provisions by employers here. It's all over the map, from great healthcare if you work for or have access to the great hospitals, to mediocre if you're limited to more private cliniics. It's very important that you find out exactly what YOUR employer provides, what hospitals or clinics you have access to. My daughter was born here when I worked for a hospital many years ago, but I'm now under a completely different (and not so great) health care plan.
Make sure you find out about housing accomodations, transportation, healthcare and quality of care, vacation time, visa processing, etc. I would suggest that, if possible, you talk with someone who works here for the new company, which will help you determine what they specifically do/don't provide.
If you have a choice, I would choose Jeddah. Less conservative, you can go to the beach, and the Red Sea is incredible for snorkeling and diving. Traffic is terrible everywhere. Make sure your housing allowance enables you to get on a Western style compound (110,000 to 150,000 SR per year), and see if the company will have the accomodations ready for you (or if you have to get on a waiting list - this can take two to four months plus to get a nicer place).
Good luck!
Rob
Private message me if you have more questions, glad to help.
Saudi Arabia: Sauid Arabia - would you go?:
There are certainly pros and cons, much to consider.
For me, an American, I get great tax benefits (tax free income) from being here, but I don't know if that's a benefit for you or not.
Make sure your package includes the following: Housing or a good housing allowance (should be between 50K to 100K SR per year for a single, in my opinion) Note that it's not easy or quick to find housing, so make sure the company provides a hotel in the short term and covers all expenses (transportation, meals, etc.). Longer term you'll need or want a car, and the company should provide a transportation allowance for that - 10K SR a year or so.
You'll need to work out the transfer of funds with your company, or plan to use a money transfer service from here.
Until you get an Iqama (a residency permit) you can't open a local bank account, so make sure you have an ATM to withdraw cash in local currency. The rates are usually better through your home bank.
Travel in/out of country is easy, reasonably priced - $1200-1500 roundtrip to the USA - I don't know about Madrid. Check out expedia.com or other travel sites for rates and schedules.
Research the web, believe most of the good things you read, and discount 50% of the bad things - it's much better here, I think, than most reports. If you live conservatively and don't mind not drinking (very much), you'll find it not too bad of a place.
Downsides - not a lot to do other than work, unless you join a sports club or live on a western compound (not that western compounds are quite expensive - see what your company offers or recommends).
If your company has been established for a long time and has European or American employees in the past, they should be able to let you talk to someone that has been here before, for their company. That will help you determine how good the package is, and whether the company is one that you want to work for here (or not).
Good luck,
Rob
Saudi Arabia: Visa issues:
If your husband comes as a consultant, you may not be able to join him. Make sure this is still possible. Also, if he is brought here on a business visa, the typical duration between required exits/re-entries into the Kingdom is 90 days. In other words, both of you will need to exit-reenter the country every 90 days. This means a bus trip or flight to Bahrain - make sure the company will cover these costs. Get EVERYTHING in writing - accept ZERO verbal promises. Good luck.
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