Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Saudi Arabia Expat Forum

Moving to Riyadh

New Topic Newest First
chandini
  7/6/2014 19:20 EST

Hello,
I will be arriving in Riyadh during the last week of August on a Fulbright scholarship. I currently live in Denton Texas and am a teaching faculty at a medical school. Although I am married I will be coming alone to live there for about a year. I will be teaching and conducting research in health at Alfaisal university. They will be providing me accommodation and transportation as their contribution towards my scholarship. They said they will look for an apartment. Any insights and advice you all can give me because I will be alone there. Thank you in advance.
S

Jamel2013
  7/7/2014 06:02 EST

Welcome to Riyadh .
In you case it is preferable to live very close to your work place.The traffic here is awful during the whole year long.However it is better that they chose for you a bachelor appartment in a Compound and they insure you the transport.Since in the compound there are many sport and leisure facilities and I know this is very important for you as an American.
I am an expat teacher and gymnastics coach .I am teaching privately arabic non-speakers .Feel free to contact me if you have further questions or you need to learn survival arabic just to be able to communicate with people in the city .Kindest regards,
Jamel
[email protected]

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

chandini
  7/7/2014 09:19 EST

Hi Jamel,
Thank you so much for your kind response. It seems apartment in a compound is expensive. I do not know what that exactly means.
I will ask them again regarding the type of apartment they are planning to get for me.
Will be in touch. It will be nice to learn some Arabic :)

john57
  7/7/2014 09:21 EST

Jamel
Can you describe for us survival Arabic or suggest books cds or other resources we can use to learn please.

MaxGTI
  7/9/2014 13:05 EST

Hi Jamel & Chandini

Just joined the forum. I am also moving to Riyadh next month and moving from London, UK. Have an idea of what to expect. I will be working for a bank out there and am coming alone.

So far my research dictates that living on-compound is fairly expensive (around US$2.2k p/m) for a 1-bed apartment. This is pretty much what I would expect to pay in London. Moreover, in Riyadh, it seems that rental fees are payable 1 year advance...? (NOT normal in Western Europe). However, off-compound you can get a similar apartment for less than half of that.

I am still deciding whether to live on or off-compound as my package does not include accomodation.

Would be good to get both of your insights and if possible any other research Chandini may have done.

Many thanks

Maxie

chandini
  7/9/2014 14:04 EST

Hi Maxie,
I am so glad you posted your concerns. I am in the same process of deciding where to live. I will be teaching at Alfaisal university which I believe is pretty much in the center of the business district. My host university is responsible for finding me an apartment. So they've asked me my preferences. I also had a skype/chat sessions with the department chair. He thinks it is better for me to be near the shopping malls and grocery stores so I can go out and do my shopping whenever I need or want to. Since women cannot drive it is a hassle to go around in taxis especially during the busy/rush hours. He also mentioned that the single apts. are very expensive in compounds as they provide many facilities inside the compound. They have their own pools, gyms, shopping centers inside the compound. That's why they are very expensive. If you are responsible for paying for your own living expenses, then you might want to think. On the other hand, it might be easier to make friends with other expats.
In my case, I'll be there for 10 months and will have a very close social circle with the embassy as a Fulbright scholar. I will be invited to all social events at the US embassy in Riyadh. I will have university faculty to interact with as I will be working 8 hrs a day. So I am thinking my social activity is set.
The big questions are:
How long is your stay?
Is your monthly pay good enough to pay a hefty apartment rent?
Do you want to live in the city where you can just go out to restaurants/shopping with in a walkable distance?
What type of social of social circle/friends you want to have - of course depends on your age and likes.
After weighing pros/cons I am opting for a single bedroom apartment closer to shopping malls/grocery stores. I hope this helps. We can talk or skype more if you want.

Allianz CareAllianz Care
Get Quote

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Allianz Care's plans ensure that you have access to quality healthcare whenever you need it. Our flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. You can submit your claims digitally and our helpline is available 24/7 to help you anytime.
Get Quote

AhmedTerra
  7/9/2014 15:24 EST

Dear all, as far as I can see here in riyadh that walking in streets is not very common so generally you will have to use a car. All the compounds that I have seen doesn't have that much of facilties just gum, pool and a supermarket but not a shopping centers. Most of compounds I've seen are relatively small (10 to 20 buildings) few are larger.life in compounds is more suitable for western ladies as they can dress freely and have some walk and activities inside.
appartments the rental is annual but you can pay on 2 installments without extra fees.most of the cases you will find restrictions on single status appartments and for ladies it looks impossible unless your employer has made the setting.if you want to rent an appartment by your own after arrival you have to have someone who speaks arabic as real estate agents probably will not know english and it's quite a headache to find one. Finally these information is according to my own experince and there could be some cases that I didn't meet.

kikker
  7/16/2014 16:53 EST

Hello people,
I have been following you conversation for a bit. My husband and I have been living in Riyadh now for close to 5 yrs. the first three years we lived on a compound and the last two years we have been living in an apartment in town.
The compound gives you a bit more freedom, in that you can walk around without an abaya (for the women) and talk to women (for the men). However, there are also restrictions. Life is not very flexible as in town as every visitor needs to be signed in beforehand and most compounds stipulate that visitors must have left the compound by 10pm. So it is a matter of give and take. There is another option of trying to get accommodation on the diplomatic quarter where there is a certain amount of freedom without the restrictions. Our experience is that the best way of meeting people is either through work or through clubs such as the Hash, off-road groups, embassy parties. Transport for women is always going to be an issue, but once in Riyadh you will probably find a limousine or driver service you can depend on.

kikker
  7/16/2014 16:54 EST

Hello people,
I have been following you conversation for a bit. My husband and I have been living in Riyadh now for close to 5 yrs. the first three years we lived on a compound and the last two years we have been living in an apartment in town.
The compound gives you a bit more freedom, in that you can walk around without an abaya (for the women) and talk to women (for the men). However, there are also restrictions. Life is not very flexible as in town as every visitor needs to be signed in beforehand and most compounds stipulate that visitors must have left the compound by 10pm. So it is a matter of give and take. There is another option of trying to get accommodation on the diplomatic quarter where there is a certain amount of freedom without the restrictions. Our experience is that the best way of meeting people is either through work or through clubs such as the Hash, off-road groups, embassy parties. Transport for women is always going to be an issue, but once in Riyadh you will probably find a limousine or driver service you can depend on.

MaxGTI
  7/17/2014 08:46 EST

Hi Chandini
Many thanks for your response. If your university is paying for your accomodation, I'd be inclined to consider a compound. As you're probably aware by now, compounds have all of the facilities you might need such as a gym, shopping, swimming pools and have been told by friends it's much like living on a holiday resort! I think I may have to swallow the bitter pill of paying for one of these types of accomodation at least for my first year. I am on a 2 year rolling contract. Maybe later on I can move into town and live amongst the locals. I have recently been made aware that 'semi-compounds' exist (perhaps the more seasoned members of this forum can advise). This is like a compound but Saudis and expats live together and enjoy all of the facilities a compound normally offers.

Kind regards

Maxie

chandini
  7/28/2014 22:17 EST

Hi Maxie,
Did you find an apartment? My university is still looking so I've no idea where I'll be living.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Saudi Arabia GuideLiving in Saudi Arabia Guide

Guide to Living in Saudi Arabia covering expat life, local culture, finding a home, diversity and more.

Saudi Arabia Forum Saudi Arabia Forum
Join our Saudi Arabia forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Saudi Arabia.

Contribute to Saudi Arabia Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Saudi Arabia.

Best Places to Live in Saudi Arabia Best Places to Live in Saudi Arabia

If you're dreaming about living in Saudi Arabia, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

Expat Healthcare Advice in Saudi Arabia176 Expats Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Saudi Arabia

Expats living in Saudi Arabia talk about their own experiences with healthcare, hospital visits, emergencies, finding a doctor, buying health insurance in Saudi Arabia and more.

Cost of Living in Saudi ArabiaCost of Living in Saudi Arabia

Expats offer insight into the cost of living in Saudi Arabia.

Moving to Saudi ArabiaMoving to Saudi Arabia Guide

Expats who want to move to the Saudi Arabia should fully explore what it means to move and live there. Read a lot of comments from people who live in Saudi Arabia, and have for a number of years.

Real Estate in Saudi ArabiaReal Estate in Saudi Arabia

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Saudi Arabia.

Pros Cons of Living in Saudi ArabiaPros & Cons of Living in Saudi Arabia

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Saudi Arabia.

Retiring in Saudi ArabiaRetiring in Saudi Arabia

Advice for people retiring in Saudi Arabia.

10 Tips for Living in Saudi Arabia10 Tips for Living in Saudi Arabia

If you've recently arrived in Saudi Arabia, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Saudi Arabia.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz CareAllianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute to Saudi Arabia Network Contribute
Help others in Saudi Arabia by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Saudi Arabia.

William Russell
William Russell

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal