Saudi work

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The best way to get an assessment of the situation is to talk to some people who are in the situation that you might be going to.

I know some guys that worked on a contract for controls and computer systems on the King Kahlid International Airport when it was built. The company had a hard time getting paid (many lawsuits). The guys who were working on it kept a large stash of money and gold in a place where they could get at it quickly to get out of the country on a moment's notice. The risk was that they might be arrested by the Saudis if something made them unhappy.

Employers don't pay $1,000,000 a year for just doing a normal job. About $800,000 of that is related to the risks and discomforts of the location.

Also, check the tax situation. How much will you have in the bank at the end of two years?
 
Bob NH said:
The best way to get an assessment of the situation is to talk to some people who are in the situation that you might be going to.

I know some guys that worked on a contract for controls and computer systems on the King Kahlid International Airport when it was built. The company had a hard time getting paid (many lawsuits). The guys who were working on it kept a large stash of money and gold in a place where they could get at it quickly to get out of the country on a moment's notice. The risk was that they might be arrested by the Saudis if something made them unhappy.

Employers don't pay $1,000,000 a year for just doing a normal job. About $800,000 of that is related to the risks and discomforts of the location.

Also, check the tax situation. How much will you have in the bank at the end of two years?
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Tax free, it is a plant manager position.
 
rcwilson, thanks for the good advice. Dubai is more like it, I would love to go there, they are doing some amazing engineering projects right now.
 
zog said:
Dubai is more like it, I would love to go there, they are doing some amazing engineering projects right now.
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I read an article in the paper about a backlog of American style theme parks they are planning to build there. Looks like the place to be...
 
Very temping I say, But I would decline after dreaming a bit. I rather die a poor man and have a "Rich" full life dedicated with my family than have loads of cash and have to take St. Peter out bar hoppin for all eternity. If they got $$$,talk em into building the plant next door.

Did ya ask what what happened to the old plant manager? (if plant is not a newly errected facility and ur up at bat first)


~FyE~
 
I am a Saudi electrical engineer


I can tell you more information if you specify the proposed location of work (city). Generally, it is very safe and you will not face difficulties dealing with people here. What members’ talk here about kidnapping is not true, huge number of American are living here for long time (one of them his office is next to my office will become 60 years old and retire next year).

If you know the culture you know how to live.

This not an advise to come over here. It is your decision and if you need any more information just ask me and I will answer you.
 
My wife basically grew up on a compound in Saudi when her dad worked for Bechtel. But those - although not long so ago were different times....

So long as you say carry another passport - say UK or Canadian and stay low profile it should be fine.... Well the latter should be enough....

I haven't been to Suadi - but a few other neighboring countries years ago in the military - and so long as you try not to stick out like a sore thumb your better off. Like say not wrapping yourself in an American flag.... So to speak...
 
AHG said:
You are right man. But still Saudi Arabia safer than other places!
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Not so sure about that - bad things happen in all countries - as Saudi can be pretty strict about what might seem like very silly laws - like dissent, and offense of religion that could end you up getting you publicly stoned or be-headed - not to mention being a prime target for hate crimes that we would defend many foreign born persons from - they wont...
 
Just out of curosity what type of plant is it?

Do some of these high paying jobs exist for rather new engineers 5 years or so removed from school like myself?
 
This is a plant that manufactures power circuit breakers. I dont know what other oppurtunities are out there but some other members I am sure can help you.
 
I would do it but you should make sure 100% first the money is legit and is 1 mill + a year without taxes. So at the end of 2 yrs you should have in your pocket no less than 2 mil. If its anything less or if they appear uncertain in any way, don't take it.

so at the end of 2 years take worst case scenario you have 1.72 mil left after spending 80k for 2 years in saudi (it's cheap there you'll probably live like a prince with that) and minus 200k for your family here for 2 years.

- 300k for kids college you'll have roughly around 1.4mil which if you invest in a mutual fund it will gain a minimum of 5% a year or 70k but since economy will improve by then a more realistic number is 100k a year just living off your money with kids tuition paid off.

chances are you wont miss your little rascals that much anyway plus you'll be providing a better life for them and you'll get to spend much more time with them in 2 years when you wont have to work vs. spending little time now.

one last thing, I agree with some of the posters who feel unsure about this kind of money for a managing job or whtever, so you better make sure beyond a doubt there isn't any sort of catch to it
 
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

If the pay is not coming from a US corporation, I'll bet the $1M is Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) which currently exchanges for 0.2666 per US$, therefore you're really only getting $266,000 US.

I believe there are also US tax implications.
 
If the family agrees and the pay is right, I would do it. 2 years is nothing, think how fast the past two years went. I spent 3 of the last 6 out of country and, as planned, am done with travel. Financially secure.
The time away will destroy a fragile marriage but, will strengthen already solid relationships. just my opinion. But, if the home front has any reservations about the commitment, forget. Good luck I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
 
zog said:
Million plus a year. If I was single I would be gone, but I think I will be passing on this.
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well if u r going for 2 years, that would be 2 million dollers earned, is it tax free, what about your health benifits? it's very hard to retire on 2 million dollers these days, exspecially with 3 kids not in collage yet and are your kids boys or girls, if you have girls then u have to think about them getting married and paying for it. i would say its not worth it, kids are to important these days to leave for 2+ years.
 
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