I am looking at two separate job offers. Assuming that compensation was similar, which location would be better suited for a mature married couple from the USA? For women? for visiting children? for overall lifestyle and interest? Open to all comments....
Thank you everyone for your prompt responses. But the responses seem divided. What about the freedoms enjoyed by women in Doha, Qatar versus Al-Khobar, KSA? Is it true that western women can drive in Doha, but not in Al-Khobar? Please elaborate on how life for my wife would be different in both countries. I welcome all comments....
You can live in Saudi, or Qatar in both countries provided that you will respect the islamic laws wherever you are and treat the people always with good in general.It is we to build the situation better not bothering about others how do they behaive with us. If we are good, all middle east good for anyone but for lucrative analysis of your job offer you can do yourself and decide the beneficial. climates are almost the same for both countries and emenities are also the same. Good luck.
You'll save more in Saudi. You'll get used to the "limited" movement especially if you're working for Aramco. Otherwise, your world is smaller than coming to Doha. Typical compounds/villas would cost you 65,000QR-80,000Qr per year instead of 200,000QR++ here in Doha.
"Difficult" to get a decent drink, if you're into drinking. But you could always hop to Bahrain (1.5 hour trip from Khobar/dhahran).
well, ive lived most of my life in khobar and ive been working in doha for almost 2 years now. I would say that if you have a family, it would be better to stay in khobar. the cost of living there is a lot less expensive than here in doha. u could get a really nice house there and its yearly rent is worth a month's rent here. khobar is actually really nice and a good place to raise a family, Dharhan Academy is a really good school too, most of my friends went to school there. The malls are better and bigger there too and they have almost everything that you might need and almost every restaurant you could think of. As for recreation, well there is aramco, almost everyone there is american and they have a huge recreational facility. the only downside is, well of course, there are no clubs there, u only get to go to private parties which isnt so bad anyways. About safety, well, i feel like saudi is a safer place to live in than doha, the crime rate there is almost 0...although they probably just dont make it public...khobar is definitely a better place to live in if u have a family, its easier to save money there too. :-P
"I am looking at two separate job offers. Assuming that compensation was similar, which location would be better suited for a mature married couple from the USA? For women? for visiting children? for overall lifestyle and interest? Open to all comments...."
For women, Qatar without a doubt.
Children, get the right compound in Khobar and they'll love it
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Thank you everyone for your prompt responses. But the responses seem divided. What about the freedoms enjoyed by women in Doha, Qatar versus Al-Khobar, KSA? Is it true that western women can drive in Doha, but not in Al-Khobar? Please elaborate on how life for my wife would be different in both countries. I welcome all comments....
You can live in Saudi, or Qatar in both countries provided that you will respect the islamic laws wherever you are and treat the people always with good in general.It is we to build the situation better not bothering about others how do they behaive with us. If we are good, all middle east good for anyone but for lucrative analysis of your job offer you can do yourself and decide the beneficial. climates are almost the same for both countries and emenities are also the same. Good luck.
As a matter of fact you have only one choice - DOHA, QATAR.
You'll save more in Saudi. You'll get used to the "limited" movement especially if you're working for Aramco. Otherwise, your world is smaller than coming to Doha. Typical compounds/villas would cost you 65,000QR-80,000Qr per year instead of 200,000QR++ here in Doha.
"Difficult" to get a decent drink, if you're into drinking. But you could always hop to Bahrain (1.5 hour trip from Khobar/dhahran).
You could read some more differences here:
http://lifeonthespot.com/blog/middle_east/saudi/
http://www.lifeonthespot.com
and yes definitely nicer beaches and a lot less traffic and not every road is under construction :-) and yeah, a lot of friendlier people too..
well, ive lived most of my life in khobar and ive been working in doha for almost 2 years now. I would say that if you have a family, it would be better to stay in khobar. the cost of living there is a lot less expensive than here in doha. u could get a really nice house there and its yearly rent is worth a month's rent here. khobar is actually really nice and a good place to raise a family, Dharhan Academy is a really good school too, most of my friends went to school there. The malls are better and bigger there too and they have almost everything that you might need and almost every restaurant you could think of. As for recreation, well there is aramco, almost everyone there is american and they have a huge recreational facility. the only downside is, well of course, there are no clubs there, u only get to go to private parties which isnt so bad anyways. About safety, well, i feel like saudi is a safer place to live in than doha, the crime rate there is almost 0...although they probably just dont make it public...khobar is definitely a better place to live in if u have a family, its easier to save money there too. :-P
"I am looking at two separate job offers. Assuming that compensation was similar, which location would be better suited for a mature married couple from the USA? For women? for visiting children? for overall lifestyle and interest? Open to all comments...."
For women, Qatar without a doubt.
Children, get the right compound in Khobar and they'll love it
Khobar + points:
You will save more money
It's close enough to Bahrain
Easier to get around (less traffic)
Laid back compare to Riyadh
Get the right compound and you're home and dry.
Friendlier expat community.
Nicer beaches - I kid you not!
my opinion: DOHA, QATAR