Pros and cons of moving to Jeddah?

Question

An agency has contacted my husband about a job that has come up in Jeddah. He his very undecided about applying for it. The package they have offered is fantastic, more than 3 times his salary here in the UK and tax free. Can any one tell me if he took the job would he be taxed on this if/ when he came back to the UK or would he best option be an off shore bank account. We are also unsure about me going with him. What is it like for women out there? Any comments would be very welcome.

Answer 1

Don't go

The Saudi Government are a bunch of pricks.

Guy below is right, I'm not a democratic person but their laws have nothing to do with Islam.  Sharia teaches women are entitled to the same things as men, Saudi just wants to make sure women have no chance.

Answer 2

Well this all depends on what you are willing to give up in life and more importantly WHERE your husband is going to work. I have 2 cousins who took up great work packages in Jeddah. One worked for Pepsi, the other for Aramco. These American companies tend to have their own 'compounds' which resemble a little town, and you would VERY rarely need to go out into the main town of Jeddah. The compounds have schools that your kids attend, restaurants, parks, gyms, social clubs, even cinema! All catering to the Western Expat tastes. But with that, you are restricted to your compound, and if you decide to go out into town, you have to be covered in black from head to toe and cannot be travelling on your own as a woman. This will make the compound you live in (as nice as it is) feel like a mini prison. My cousins' wives would spend a few months there with their husbands, and a few months either back home or travelling to visit relatives who lived in other countries. If you don't have a similar set up, I would encourage you not to bother going, because you WILL feel chlaustraphobic since you won't be able to do anything there as a woman. Also, there is no alcohol to be found anywhere, unless your embassy organises a party - many western expats tend to get their alcohol from their embassies - or you make your own! My cousin used his bathtub to brew his own beer - disgusting! Haha! Well... it's your choice now. Good luck with it!!

As for the taxes, my husband's family (British) lived in Dubai for over 30 years, made a lot of money and they didn't pay income tax on when they retired back to the UK. So no, you wouldn't be paying tax if you made your money abroad (unless you continued to own a house in the UK?) But they did say that when they returned they weren't treated very well by the British government - worse than a refugee skiving off the government is a Brit who made money somewhere else and then came back, apparently.

Answer 3

unless you are deperate for the money don't go.

life for women is awful  - you aren't even allowed to drive.

this is not a democratic country

please do your research thoroughly

as for the money aspect - don't know

years ago my husband offered same - but turned it down.

Answer 4

I take it from your avatar you are female

If this is the case Saudi law will place a lot of restrictions on you, you will not be allowed to drive a car (although I believe this is to be reversed). Saudi has Sharia law, which can be very oppressive in comparison to the Western lifestyle.

If you don't mind living in a self conatined compound you may like it

Here's an example of saudi law http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/wo...

Answer 5

You'll have Jedi Knights living next door having light saber duels at all hour of the night