British debit card in Kuwait...

romiuk wrote:

T-DOG - you are not the first person asking me this so I am not surprised with your question - my brother in law been there and asked me the same question and think I am going to do the worst mistake of my life. I really got mixed reviews about Kuwait - some who like it and would never live anywhere else and others think, why Kuwait?

Here is why... although I have never been there (I am sure I would know much more once I go and experience it myself) but I am actually looking to come and live in Kuwait mainly because my father in law has totally sold me on the place - Its certainly got the sun and sea which I love (may be too hot as well...)but trust me living in a city like London you crave sunny quiet less hectic places. Above all, I think its much cheaper than living in the UK, at least I can drive a car whilst in London is hardly affordable to maintain a car even on high wages. At least one can get a fair package, if I am not wrong. I just think life is a bit easier and simpler there which is what I am looking for and Kuwait seems to tick all the boxes!!!

I spent most of my life in Malta as my parents are Maltese and although its got the sun and sea and lots of beaches but its not a place where I would want to live although I know how much is loved by other fellow brits.

Luckily I can speak fluent Italian,(and been also few months in Switzerland) and considered going permanently in Italy but I am not sure if EU is my solution any more although I do miss it...

I also been to Dubai for few days, didn't see much there and felt a bit too confusing for me - too much was going on that time (around 4 yrs ago) and my twin sister lived for some years there and said things has changed dramatically...

So... anyway, so now you can see why I am dying to see this gorgeous country but I actually feel your experience is not a great one... would you like to share? Sounded like you do not recommend it...any particular reason?

I would be grateful if you can share so we all learn although everyone have can have an opinion and I am very open minded.  I am sure there are things that I will like and other things which it will be hard to adjust but hence my visit trip at the end of March... I wouldn't know from here unless I taste the real experience.

Many thanks for reading and sorry again... its tooo long..... :-(

I have lived in other countries and I can relate somewhat to you wanting to live a slower paced life but I honestly dont think Kuwait is your answer. However it really depends on how you deal with things as a person. If you are the type that can ignore or learn to adapt to things you would otherwise find unacceptable then its possible you may enjoy it here.

Being a single woman coming here will however be especially difficult for you unless you can stay with your family and they stay in a quiet/nice area. But you will still find men here constantly bothering you if you are even showing a little bit of skin. You will find the driving here extremely stressful and often times dangerous. Being a man here is alot easier than being a woman.

That being said kuwait can be alot safer that other places, espically like london, I mean people leave their keys in the car while running while they go inside a grocery shop many times!

It looks like you are dead set on coming for a visit anyways, which is a good idea, bear in mind though visiting a place for a week will not let you get a whole picture of what it will be like to live here. If there already some things you cannot stand I advise you not coming here at all.

Otherwise if you are getting a very good salary package and a contract for 1-2 years I suggest you can give it a try. Making friends here and keeping yourself busy (i.e. gyms, spas, eating out) are what make life most enjoyable in the end.

Finally if it doesnt work out I suggest if you want somewhere nice to live where life is alot slower, I suggest Australia. Good luck to you miss.