Expat Community > Kuwait

Lextar
Joined 2007
Posts: 2

New to Kuwait

17 years ago

I am in the process of being offered a multi-year position to work in Kuwait for an American firm. But before I accept the position, I'd really like some information from Americans who are currently living and working in Kuwait. Let me get to the point:

1. Are most Americans paid a salary as well as expenses (lodging, transportation, food, etc.)? If expenses are the norm, what is a reasonable amount I should request for these expenses for a year? $20,000?, $30,000?, $40,000? Or am I way off? I'm essentially asking how much a decent apartment (by American standards) should cost me per month, and how much other living expenses, such as food an incidentals (again by American standards) should cost me per month.

2. How are most Americans paid? By direct deposits to their own banks in the States? or in local currency or checks against local banks? Do most Americans have bank accounts in local Kuwait banks? Does this cause any problems?

3. Please give me the names of the most popular apartment complexes for Americans? Ie, which places have the best security and the most Americans? What can I expect to pay for them monthly? Which places should I definitely stay away from?

4. Is Kuwait a physically safe place? Are there terrorist incidents? How are Americans looked upon and/or treated in Kuwait?

5. I know from reading about Kuwait that there is not much to do outside of work, but do Americans get together to socialize and have some sort of expatriate support community? If so, how would I enter into this?

6. Will I need a car or is public transportation sufficient?

7. What happens if I get seriously ill? Is health care on an acceptable level? Or would I need to be evacuated back to the States? Do most Americans have employer-paid health insurance in Kuwait to cover such contingencies, or do they typically pay out of their own pockets as the need arises? Is evacuation back to the States for health reasons typically something most firms do for Americans, or would this also be paid from one's own pocket?

8. How easy is it to get back to the States for any reason whatsoever? Just buy a plane ticket at the airport and go? Or is it more involved?

9. Are there any reasons or circumstances under which you should surrender your passport to the government or any other entity in Kuwait?

10. Is the U.S Embassy responsive to expatriates' problems, as they arise?

11. Is there anything else I should know?

I would really appreciate if someone can give me the answers to these questions and maybe some I haven't even thought of.

Thanks in advance.

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