Jeddawis have officially listed their five pet hates of living and working in the city, with traffic congestion coming in at number one, followed by a poor enforcement of traffic laws, high rents, lack of recreation, entertainment and open spaces for families, and the polluted seafront area. This was the result of a joint Saudi Gazette/Prince Sultan College for Tourism and Business (PSCJ) survey of 323 respondents. There were 266 males and 57 females, 255 were married, 61 single, 287 have or are getting their college degrees while 36 have high school certificates or less. A total of 142 respondents were between the ages of 18 and 30, 118 between 31 and 40, 41 between 41 and 50 and 22 aged 51 and older. A total of 294 respondents listed traffic congestion as their greatest problem; 254 the lack of enforcement of traffic laws; 214 high rents; 194 the lack of open spaces and entertainment and recreation for families; and 156 the polluted seafront. Respondents said that traffic was a major problem because of the construction taking place on many major roads, including the building of bridges and tunnels. Some said that the time spent on the road, including leaving early for appointments, was limiting their involvement in other activities. Afaaf Parker, a South African IT specialist at King Abdulaziz University, said she always has trouble with drivers. “I've never had a driver who obeyed the law. But why should they when no one else does. I've been living here for four years and my driver has had seven accidents because he and the other driver did not obey the law.” High rent was an issue for non-Saudis and locals. It has been estimated that 60 percent of Saudis do not own their own homes. Rents vary, depending on the area, but a decent two-bedroom apartment starts at about SR20,000 in the most modern areas in Jeddah. Respondents were frustrated by the lack of family recreation and entertainment areas in the city for young and old alike. Aesha Lorenz Al-Saeed, a respondent, said eating out was unfortunately a form of entertainment in the city. “There are very limited places for us parents to engage in healthy activities with our children. Theme parks are the highlight of the weekend but there aren't any affordable activities where we can communicate with our children or stimulate them intellectually.” Respondents also complained about the polluted seafront area in Jeddah where public littering takes place unabated. Michelle Geriber, a British expatriate who works both here and in England, said that there is little public awareness about environmental issues. “Every time I ask about recycling or what people are doing to create a greener life I get blank stares.” She said she hoped the laws of the country are enforced in this regard. Sameera, an Indian expatriate, said her movement is restricted because she cannot drive. “I love Jeddah but the fact that I can't drive my car to do my shopping or pick up my kids is frustrating. I have to pay a driver to take me where I could easily take myself if I was back home.” Sameera said drivers are unreliable and often abscond. Faiqa Davis, a South African nurse at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Jeddah, lives separately from other nurses and has to organize her own transport. “I use taxis to take me to the mall but they are never on time and the drivers have very bad manners.” Davis said she was once kicked out of a taxi because the driver refused to take her to a friend's house 30 minutes away from her home. Sameera, who is widowed with five daughters still living with her, said that she cannot do without drivers. However, costs are rising for drivers because visas are not being granted for drivers from the Philippines and Indonesia. __
