Damman, Saudi Arabia

Situated on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, Dhahran, Dammam, and Al-Khobar are considered one big city. The location originally attracted Western ex-pats in the late '30s when Saudi's first oil well was erected there (it's no secret that oil has become the country's main export and that Saudi is one of the world's most important sources of oil). Today, the Eastern Province cities have a more westernized feel than many other parts of Saudi Arabia.

Westerners living in Saudi Arabia stay in housing compounds, which include a variety of amenities, including swimming pools and tennis courts. Your co-workers will live on the compound with you, so there are plenty of opportunities to make new friends, without going too far from home. And if you need a last-minute item for the kitchen, you can visit the onsite convenience store.

So what can you do when you venture outside your compound? Well there are plenty of places to spend your tax-free income, if you choose! You might be surprised to hear that there's an abundance of modern shopping malls with electronics stores, fast-food chains, and big-brand names, but the smaller, privately owned shops are my favorites. Imports from India and Indonesia are a fraction of the price of those in North America. And you can find handmade silk, cotton, and wool carpets from all over the Middle East that are cheaper and better quality! Ask around and you'll also find Bedouin henna pots, silver makeup applicators, and other handcrafts. Remember, when shopping, it's all about the bargaining – have fun haggling in the smaller stores to get a good price. Then furnish your place back home with great handmade furniture for the same price as IKEA. Westerners can often team up and rent a container to ship the goods home and still save money!

For food, you must try falafels, tabouleh, and hummus, not to mention lamb or goat kebabs and chicken shawarma. It's the healthiest "fast-food" you'll ever try, and it tastes great! In fact, eating out and getting these gourmet dishes is really inexpensive – you almost need not bother to cook. And although all of Saudi Arabia is known for its dates, I think the best ones come from the nearby oasis in Hofuf – they taste more like fudge than fruit. Back in North America, I have searched high and low for these Saudi dates, without luck.

Being coastal cities, Dhahran/Al-Khobar/Dammam have easy access to weekend getaways. A quick drive across the causeway from Al-Khobar to Bahrain – a nearby island-kingdom on the gulf – provides more shopping and dining adventures. And take advantage of the short flights to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, or other "nearby" international locations in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

For a great cultural experience, the "city" of Dhahran/Al-Khobar/Dammam is the place to live. Plan on coming for a year ... and you'll very likely stay for more.

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