Our First Week in Saudi Arabia

We’re just over one week in the Kingdom and settling into our new normal. While it’s too soon to make a definitive statement about the merit of our decision; thus far it feels like the perfect choice for us.

To ease the concerns of friends and family in our decision to move to the Middle East, I want to share the pros and cons of our new address. You’ll see the pros greatly outnumber the con(s).

Pros

• Career Advancement + Early Retirement.
  This opportunity means career growth for James, with a jump into a management role. For me, it’s a move out of the fluorescent, corporate light and into the desert sunshine as a stay-at-home mom. It’s not all rainbows, taking on Cohen full-time, but I cherish the ability to watch him grow and change after having missed so much of his last 6-months, working almost all of his waking hours.

• Cultural Submersion.
  Our travels have always been about more than checking a destination off our imaginary bucket list. We aim to immerse ourselves in the culture of each region we visit and soak up as much of the experience as we can. A sense of adventure and an appreciation for all walks of life are what James and I most hope to instill in our son. We cannot think of a better way to achieve this than living abroad - in as many places as we’re granted the opportunity.
  
  What I’ve observed so far is that the Saudi people have tremendous affection towards and value of family. We are stopped daily by the staff at our compound and strangers in the city, wanting to say hello to our son. We learned the term “mashallah” from a salesman at the grocery store, as a means to say Cohen is a “good baby.” He’s given treats wherever we dine.
  My first encounter upon entering the country was with a young woman in the bathroom at the Damman airport. She genuinely welcomed me to Saudi Arabia and emphasized repeatedly how much she hopes I enjoy living here.

• Compound Living.
  We are fortunate to have landed at Retal Residence. This place is comparable to living at a resort. The gorgeous pool, gym, and spa ensure relaxation and wellness. The multiple playgrounds, bowling alley, cinema, and cafe help fill the day. Services like laundry, maintenance and housekeeping are all available for request by app, eliminating much of the hassle of homeownership. To top it off, the grounds are well-maintained, so it’s beautiful in addition to fun.
  To me, the best feature of living on the compound is security. While we are closed off from the general public in this manner, we are free to come and go as we please. We spend the evenings out to dinner at local restaurants and spend our weekends walking the stunning Corniche coastline before hitting up shops. It’s the comfort and freedom attributed with a neighborhood where families leave their bikes in the streets that fills me with warmth and joy. It’s not second-guessing an unlocked door or open window. We never had this level of complacency living in Houston, no matter our neighborhood.

• Increased Travel Opportunities.
  Moving to the Middle East puts us with reach of many exciting and new travel destinations. What would take us half a day to more to reach from Houston is now a hop, skip or jump away. We hope to see much more of Europe, but also to finally make our way throughout Asia and Africa. Stay tuned for the adventures to come!

Cons

• Distance.
  This is the one major drawback of our decision to move abroad; our distance from friends and family. While the pros certainly outnumber the con, they don’t outweigh it. We know we’ve saddened a number of people, the most important people, in our leaving Houston. What we hope to prove is that our relationships are stronger than the miles are long and that our visits will be infinitely more special.

• A half-con is the limited mobility Cohen and I have while James is at work. I say half-con because another amenity of the compound is a bus that travels to malls, grocery stores, and craft stores; with routes multiple times each day. I haven’t taken the bus yet, but plan to soon. I’m also almost positive that I am able to drive in Saudi with my U.S. license and possibly eligible for a local license. However, we are now a one-vehicle family, and, even though I find the driving here less aggressive than in Houston. Saudi Arabia has a “Laissez-faire” attitude towards general traffic laws that I’m not confident about tackling just yet.
  There’s also the option of a private driver, that James and I need to research, for times I’d like to travel outside of areas along the bus routes. Additionally, Uber is also operating out here.

After reading our endeavor so far, I hope those with concerns are more at ease.

I am incredibly excited to continue sharing our unique experience with you. Please reach out to me with any questions or comments, or leave them below!