How do Jeddah and Dammam compare to Riyadh for standard of expat life, cost of living, quality of international schools etc.?
Could a viable option (both financially and practically) be to set the family up in either of these cities and commute to Riyadh for blocks of work?
I know several captains and FOs flying for Saudia who commute between Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh, and I can tell you; it’s really not worth it. Not at all. The constant travel, fatigue, and lack of stability take a serious toll. I even know a few who went through divorces or have unstable family lives because of it.If you’re coming in as an expat and bringing your family, the best thing you can do is to live in base. Commuting might sound doable at first, but it’s exhausting both mentally and practically. Trust me, it’s just not worth the hassle.