Salmiya, Kuwait

By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Sep 17, 2022

Summary: Expats, digital nomads and retirees discuss what it is like to live in Salmiya, Kuwait: Cost of living, Finding a home, Meeting People and more.

What do expats find most challenging?

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"The university aged people whom I teach are materialistic and often without signs of human caring," remarked another expat in Salmiya.

What are the schools in Salmiya like?

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"***Ensure that whoever is working in Kuwait gets the company to pay for the kids schooling worked into the contract as well as a company car or you are SUNK.*** Schooling in Kuwait for us with 2 kids (6 & 9) is around 5,000KD a year and that doesn't include the overpriced Bangladesh made uniforms, over priced average bus service, and the fact you seem to pay through the nose for EVERYTHING when the school does something. But I hear thats the same at EVERY school here in Kuwait. But, we found the teachers to be excellent (read: made them study and learn- in a nice way,) were confident in seeing the parents, handed out challenging homework, and we like the actual outlay of the school. All the classrooms, PE hall, auditorium, and library (which is pretty good,) are well air conditioned. It has a decent pool with wading area and a couple of cushioned basketball/tennis/soccer courts. -Did I mention they are having a school excursion to Lapland (Sweden) for a week this year? Apparently it's 780KD pp everything paid for. We were told well in advance so you can have time to save up. Sounds nice," added another expat with kids at TES in Salmiya.

"It is the best school in Kuwait for British kids aged 3-11. Many parents then consider moving their kids to Kuwait English School for their Secondary education," commented one expat when asked about The English School in Salmiya.

"DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD HERE. THE STUDENTS ARE TERRIBLE, THE ADMINISTRATION IS WEAK BONED, AND THE TEACHERS ARE SLAVES TO THE BUREAUCRACY. I'm speaking as a parent and a teacher from the school. My husband and I have worked at numerous international schools worldwide and this is by far the MOST APPALLING school we've ever taught at and our kids hated the school. The students were out of control, administration had no control or discipline procedures, even when our children were bullied by the local kids," remarked another expat living in Salmiya with children attending American International School of Kuwait.

"It is an excellent school. The kids make such fast progress there and are VERY happy. Because the administration is American, too, it is very easy for parents to communicate with the school and understand what's going on when you go there to enroll, etc. [Students must be evaluated by the school psychologist (Dr. Bibi) prior to enrollment to be sure they meet the school's criterion. That costs 30KD, but at the very least you find out exactly where your son or daughter is performing in reading, spelling, and mathematics and what their needs are.] I would highly recommend this school to any parent with a child with any learning difficulties or who needs a smaller class environment. (There are only 6 to 9 students in each class - even in the high school.)," said another expat in Salmiya with children at Manarat School.