°µÍø½ûÇø

Rigger64 wrote:

While surfing the different blogs, room of them mentioned that some flats or apartments did not have hot water heaters and relied on solar heating for home hot water.   They also mentioned that this was an issue during the cooler months.

My company has said I will be in either Mura Bustan or Arabian Homes.  Can anyone confirm that both of these compounds have hot water heaters in their properties?  I know this may seem picky but a good shower is important.  Just saying...   

Rigger

That was supposed to say "Several of them mentioned..."

Mura bustan has hot water heaters. If 2 floors there is one on each floor.



Hmmm if you end up here are any of your kids old enough to babysit???

Compounds have hot water (and water in general) 24 hours a day, which is one of the many reasons they charge up to 5 times as much or more than comparably sized accommodation not in compounds!

Trapezius wrote:

Compounds have hot water (and water in general) 24 hours a day, which is one of the many reasons they charge up to 5 times as much or more than comparably sized accommodation not in compounds!

Speaking of "not in compounds"...  Trap, I've seen you mention you time in the compounds before but you're not now, correct?  My company offered to let me take the housing allowance and find my own place.  From reading blogs and forums I believe I've got a pretty good handle on the ups and down of off-compund living for western °µÍø½ûÇøs (and I'm bring to two "western" females).  While we'll definitely be excepting the compound offer for now, should we choose to move off compound later on does the company just give you whatever they were paying for your rent as a housing allowance? 

Rigger

All cities have their cold water heaters do not worry .

Your problem now will most probably how to make the water cold so you can use the water and not burn yourself! 
but for water heater you can buy one for around 200 S.R. and hire somebody to install it, don't worry they have IKEA here, i believe it's not that hard to find water heater around,

While we'll definitely be excepting the compound offer for now, should we choose to move off compound later on does the company just give you whatever they were paying for your rent as a housing allowance?

Good question.  Depends on the company.  They might give you the same, or less, as apartments not in compounds are far cheaper.  Or, they might stick to a percentage, usually 25%, of the basic salary.  If they give you the same allowance as cash, you could rent a massive private villa rather than an apartment.  Having said, I personally would under no circumstances choose any dwelling outside a compound to any inside pretty much any compound.

Trapezius wrote:

Having said, I personally would under no circumstances choose any dwelling outside a compound to any inside pretty much any compound.

That is a powerful comment to remember!

Thanks.