As a long term resident of [compound name removed by moderator]a compound in Al Khobar (contact me by PM for details)
I feel I must write something to potential new tenants who are thinking of moving to this Compound.

This once well run compound has been slowly ruined by both the Owner's financial problems and the current managements' total lack of professionalism and skill.

Please do not be fooled by the smart talking of the Rental Office who make all sorts of claims about the popularity and great facilities - they are simply lying.

The villas are maintained to the absolute minimum requirement by personnel who are not qualified or motivated to do a good job.

The food outlets are expensive and very poor in quality and this is why they are empty most of the time.

The pool areas are shabby with sun shades missing and old broken loungers - there is virtually no chance of these being replaced in the current situation.

The once prized and well used Football Pitch has been totally ruined and has gone to seed - this will be out of action for months.

There is an over powering smell of raw sewage around the compound as the drainage system has been left unmaintained for so long.

I could go on and on but I think you've got the picture! You may be wondering why we still live on this compound? Well, we have to pay one year's rent in advance which no rebate for leaving early and, until recently, our kids went to the BISAK school which is on compound and therefore convenient. Due to major problems at the school (which is a whole other saga) we, along with several other British parents, have withdrawn the kids and moved them to the DBGS where we hope they will get the education they deserve.

Think very carefully before you move this compound and be forewarned that no money is being spent to maintain it and certainly nothing is being done to improve it.  

Hi All,

I am considering to move to Al Khobar next summer, my wife and 2 daughters will join me. I have been to Khobar many times but always for a day or two.... never got the chance to know how it feels to live there. Can you advise me which compounds I should consider?? I am looking for a 3 bedroom villa in a high security compound as well as a good deal of social life.

I heard there is a french school in Al Khobar but could not get any information on the internet. could someone tell me a bit more about this french school. (quality of education, teachers, students etc...)

Thanks,
Karim  

Angie,

I think i am looking at the compound in question tomorrow with my family doe to come out for a visit in a few weeks and permanently after the birth of our 2nd child in December. I will be here til then myself.

could you possibly get in touch about compounds you would recommend? i thought Canary seemed pretty good when i was there although it is much smaller than yours.

cheers,

Andy  

Hi Andy, Unfortuately, I do not have much experience of other compounds as this is the only one I have actually lived on although Al Rashid 1 & 2 are supposed to nice and well kept but without the full facilities that this compound is "supposed" to have. I know that there are many many villa available on this compound at the moment, although you will most likely be told otherwise.

There is very little choice to be honest - all of the housing compounds have their pros and cons - all are very expensive but hopefully your sponsor will be paying. Nevertheless, this one is far from good but if you do decide to come here, make sure that you get any promises in writing (ie. if the villa you choose is to be re-carpeted, get it in writing. If it is going to be redecorated, get it in writing etc.) Also, it would appear that the refundable deposits which have to be paid on top of the rent are not actually being refunded when people leave.

I hope that this helps and that you find somewhere nice for you and your family.  

Thanks Angie,

i saw the compound and it did look 'tired' with quite a lot of refurbishments going on (and required) to various properties. I also know now that all new leases are subject to 10% annual maintenance and 10% non-refundable deposit for life of tenancy.

The properties at Canary are definitely larger, in better condition and better value, and that compound does have a resonable selection of facilities in decent condition from what i saw.

my company will pay for a 3 bed in Al Zahra which is smaller than the basic 3 beds at Canary as i said but it is close to the creche and pool. I heard Al Rushaid is good too but i have a colleague in each of the other two which may be useful at times.

The key sticking point that brings me back to OG is the significant number of activities for women/mums and children on your compound which do not seem to be as significant on the other one i looked at. in addition, the compound seems to have more British/European residents due to the school there so that may also help my wife make friends more easily?

If you have an opinion on that, let me know. Meantime, i will take you up on your comments if i push on with a place there. i have a week or two to decide.

Thanks, Andrew  

Sorry Angie, one more thing....any idea where i can look for 2nd hand children's items? like people who may be selling car seats/travel cots/high chairs etc? just wondered if there is a notice board in the compound.

thanks again,

Andrew  

Hi, I'm glad that you had a chance to have a look round. The problem with this compound is that nobody knows when the financial restraints will be lifted (of if the compound will be sold) - we are kept in the dark on all these issues. With regard to the facilities for women, I have to say that they are good - we have regular daily buses to the malls and you can pre-book transport to the hospital etc. which is handy. Our Facilities dept is excellent I must say and they arrange lots of activites for the women and the kids - there is always daily activiites for kids during the holidays which is not to be sniffed at. I am sure that if you choose this compound, you will find it a nice friendly place to live - for those of us who remember it in its heyday, it's frustrating to see it go down hill so quickly but if you've never seen it before then I guess it can only get better!!
There are notice boards throughout the compound and there is a monthly publication for residents in which you can advertise things for sale. Having said that, there are lots of shops selling very reasonably priced kids things - Lifestyle is one such shop and also the supermarkets sell lots of baby things as well at reasonable prices so I would not worry too much about this.
One other good thing about the compound is that it has a Beach Club which is free to residents. Funnily enough, I seem to be selling this compound now!!!! Maybe they should give me a job!