Hello there!
My husband and I are planning on moving to Jeddah from Chicago this April or May because of his job (he's an engineer). We have two little boys and I'm currently an attorney at a firm in the city. I'd love to hear from any American women, and particularly Pakistani American women, who have recently moved to Jeddah. In particular, does anyone have a sense of the following:
1) Can you really not bring anything with an image into the country, including stuffed animals and children's books, due to restrictions imposed by customs?
2) How difficult is it to get an apartment in a compound? Are there really very long waiting lists? Any recommendations of agents to contact to find housing?
3) Any advice on what to pack and not pack?
4) How are the beaches? Is it possible for women to go swimming without having to go to a private beach/resort?
5) Do expats ever interact with Saudis? How easy is it to get around Jeddah with virtually no Arabic skills?
6) Doesn't it get unbearably hot in a black burkha?
7) Do women cover their hair as well?
8) What do people do for fun, besides parties at home and visits to the mall and outings to the beach and the desert?
9) Is the Internet censored?
Sounds like there are varied opinions about the female experience in KSA, and I'm looking forward to the adventure!
American Pakistani Women in Jeddah
Welcome on Expat.com UMAJD 
I hope that other members will bring their input to your several queries soon. Meanwhile I will suggest you to browse through the various discussions in the Jeddah & Saudi Arabia forum respectively. You will find some answers in regards to your questions!
Regards
heey
so lets begin
1 they arent that strict with stuffed animals or picture, but it shouldnt be that disrespectable and showing. in other words they arent strict 
2 . dunno cant help there
3. no alcholo, porn, sex toys, ...etc everything else is okay'
make sure u wear summer clothes cus its summer all year long
4. nope u have to go on private beaches
5. not really , and english is spoken by half the people here
6. u wont be wearing burgha in jeddah not many do.
7. many expertise dont really coveer there hair
8. u summed what is fun here (a few amusement parks)
9. yup
@Umajd: yeah Dr. Moe kinda summed it up in a bit. But then if you want some more info about the compounds and stuff, try going throught the old forums, they should be able to provide some more info on the same.
and I think the burqa is kinda a compulsory if you are going out and all.. Not sure why Dr. Moe thinks its not. And from what ppl have told me, since I have never had the pleasure of wearing one myself 
, it is not uncomfortable. Thats all what I can input here.
And as for the internet being censored, only if it has anything to do with porn, or anti Muslim setiments.. else Facebook twitter, skype, etc is open.
thanks for the update on my info
I find it rather strange that people who are living in America in this time and age do not have a reasonably good understanding of the lifestyle in other parts of the globe, especially with the Gates Toys, Google, and the rest of the high-tech environment.
When I first stepped on Saudi soil in Nov 1979 I had everything I wanted to know about Saudi and its people, just by reading through the available encyclopaedia's, history and geography books of that era, and also from talking to older people, family and friends, in my locality.
Are we losing the ability to seek knowledge with all these gadgets on our doorstep?
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