Dhahran

Dhahran is the most American-feeling place in Saudi Arabia. Built by Aramco (originally a joint venture with Standard Oil of California) in the 1930s, the company town has its own character — a planned community with green lawns, recreation centers, and a self-contained compound lifestyle that many Westerners find comfortable if insular. The Aramco Residential Camp is a world unto itself, with swimming pools, movie theatres, restaurants, and sports facilities.

The Aramco compound contains some of the best recreational facilities in the entire kingdom — golf courses, tennis courts, Olympic-sized swimming pools, baseball diamonds, and manicured parks that are surreal in the desert context. Access is limited to Aramco employees and their families, creating an exclusive but high-quality environment.

Dhahran is compact and car-dependent. Within the Aramco compound, some residents use bicycles and golf carts. Outside, the highway system connecting Dhahran to Al Khobar (10 minutes) and Dammam (20 minutes) is modern and well-maintained. Uber and Careem operate reliably.

Life inside the Aramco compound has a distinctly suburban American rhythm — morning school runs, grocery stops at the commissary (which stocks American and international products), afternoon sports activities for children, and evening socializing at the recreation center or neighbors' homes. The compound has its own dining halls, convenience stores, and healthcare facilities.

Dhahran's climate is harsh desert with Gulf humidity. Summer temperatures from May through October exceed 40C daily, with peak readings above 50C recorded. The humidity from the Gulf can push the heat index to extreme levels. The Aramco compound's extensive landscaping and air-conditioned facilities make summer livable, but venturing outside is limited to early morning and after sunset.