Does anyone have any info. in living conditions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?

 

I spent alot of time there on layovers. . .are you sure you wanna go there? Not most peoples first choice.

 

I was seconded there in 98/99 to do line training for Saudia on the MD-90. Did three stints of about 2.5 months each. The first time we stayed at the Intercontinental downtown. Not bad, but a long time to be in a hotel room so the 5 of us there persuaded our company to lease two villas up in Durat Al Arus for the remainder of the year. The deal came with two cars and free golf on the 9 hole grass golf course.

It was pleasant because I knew it was for a limited period of time. Usually worked four days per week and played golf the other three. Scuba diving in the Red Sea off Jeddah is excellent and there are private beaches where families and can go and not be disturbed.

Jeddah is not a bad place. Obviously there are many restrictions on what women can do there so if you are taking the family it needs to be a family decision.

The Saudia compound is getting long in the tooth. I only went to a few dinner parties there. They do make their own alcohol and it can be decent. The U.S. Embassy parties are generally good, but not sure if they still do them with today's higher security status.

Two weeks ago 4 French expats were killed in the north while visiting an archeological site. With the numerous events over the last few years it certainly has more of a dangerous element than when I was there, but there are still many expats living and working in the country.


Typhoonpilot

 

19 years in the USAF and I've been all over the globe. Saudi Arabia was hands down the worst of all the countries I ever spent any extended time in.

To be fair, I haven't been there since '95 and never made it to Jeddah.

If you're "on the compound" things are OK, but that get's real small real quick. Out in public, as a caucasian, I always felt like a space alien on an unfriendly planet.

I felt much better about life in Bahrain or UAE.

 

I'd be inclined to agree with that. I was based out of Bahrain for over a year, spent many days in Dubai, and both were fantastic. Kuwait is even pretty good (except you can't get a drink).

As for Jeddah. . .The Red Sea is OK, the resorts are OK (we used to go to the Sheraton Villas), but behind walls. The corniche is very nice except you can't wear shorts and the woman are covered from head to toe in black. Driving around the Jeddah suburbs was like being in a war zone; not many people on the street and lots of rubble. And what about the huge tools, or the Austin Mini on the mozaic wave? Strange place.

Again, not my first choice and if you have other options I'd seriously consider them.

Can't knock the people though. I flew with some Saudi lads that were great fellows, treat you like a brother, and as for the baddies, even Dubai has it's nasty element.

 

I just left Bahrain not to long ago.. Saudi is rough.. Lots of expat girls working the flights though so you may have some nice company. As a male, your life is much different than the girls. If you could live in Bahrain and commute, that would be good.

 

Do women like American pilots in places like Saudi Arabia, UAE and such? i.e. Is it a good place to find a potential wife?

 

Only if you want your head on the potential brides brothers mantel. . .unless your a devout muslim that is.

 

Last place in the world I'd go looking for a bride.

 

I disagree completely. There are numerous high quality women with far better attitudes towards men and marriage than you'll find in the USA. They aren't UAE or Saudi locals though, they are other expat workers.


TP