Living in Riyadh
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 104
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From: Wabag
Living in Riyadh
I am looking for information on expat life in Riyadh. Housing, recreation, shopping, cost of living, schooling, etc, etc, and the all important question; is it worth taking your family there for three years?
Much appreciate any replies.
Much appreciate any replies.
Person Of Interest
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 842
Likes: 0
From: Keystone Heights, Florida
Ivan...been there, done that.
The first thing to consider is what job you will have and how much are you going to be compensated for it.
I was flying a private jet out of there for 3 or so yrs, and therefore didn't spend the majority of my time there. When we did block in, however, the same faces were always there to meet us (ex-pats working for Saudia and Jet Center.)
My first year I lived in a luxurious 5 BR villa, however it was not on a compound. Don't accept this!!!
A western compound is a must. Some compounds are better than others, but the better ones have mini-marts with Western essentials, swimming pools, recreation facilities, etc.
You will find the ex-pat community is a tightly knit group and once you accept your situation it's not too bad.
Schooling for the kiddies is excellent, and should be included in your contract. Also, daycare is very good. The missus can get a good housekeeper/maid for a very reasonable price. (either live-in, or daily.) Live-in can double up as a nanny.
In my opinion, there are worse ways to go, especially with today's job market being what it is.
Why don't you try to contact Mutt through PPpune? He hangs out on this forum and has been living in JED for a long time.
Good Luck...
The first thing to consider is what job you will have and how much are you going to be compensated for it.
I was flying a private jet out of there for 3 or so yrs, and therefore didn't spend the majority of my time there. When we did block in, however, the same faces were always there to meet us (ex-pats working for Saudia and Jet Center.)
My first year I lived in a luxurious 5 BR villa, however it was not on a compound. Don't accept this!!!
A western compound is a must. Some compounds are better than others, but the better ones have mini-marts with Western essentials, swimming pools, recreation facilities, etc.
You will find the ex-pat community is a tightly knit group and once you accept your situation it's not too bad.
Schooling for the kiddies is excellent, and should be included in your contract. Also, daycare is very good. The missus can get a good housekeeper/maid for a very reasonable price. (either live-in, or daily.) Live-in can double up as a nanny.
In my opinion, there are worse ways to go, especially with today's job market being what it is.
Why don't you try to contact Mutt through PPpune? He hangs out on this forum and has been living in JED for a long time.
Good Luck...
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,552
Likes: 25
From: ME
I was hoping that someone who actually lived in Riyadh would answer this, there are a number of Ppruners who have that pleasure! My only visits to that city involved obtaining carnal knowledge of a lovely Ozzie nurse and drinking Guinness on St Patricks Day.
The big thing about Saudi is who are you going to work for. If possible try talking to some of their present expat employees. If its a smaller company, make sure that they have a reputation of paying salaries on time. For the other items I'll try to take them in order based on this side of the country..
Package:
It should include housing, schooling, medical and sufficient return tickets to maintain your sanity.
Housing:
Make sure that you are offered compound housing and not a villa. The standard of compounds ranges from crap to holiday resorts.
Recreation:
Not sure! The people that i knew there didnt seem to have any problems finding social activities. There are numerous satellite channels so you should be able to keep up with EastEnders! At least in Jeddah there are numerous international restaurants ranging from Chillis, Fridays, Applebees, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Papa Johns, Dominos, McD’s, BurgerKing etc etc. I presume that at least some of these will also have braches in Riyadh.
Cost of Living.
Petrol 9 pence per litre, car insurance 2.5% the value of the car. 3 year old Range Rover Discover is about UK6000. I dont pay for power, water or gas, so i cant comment on these. Price of food really depends on if you want to eat local or international brands. For example, Pepsi canned here is around UK3 per case (24 cans). A US import of Root Beer or Tonic water is around UK12 per case.
Schooling.
UK and US systems, usually considered excellent up to around the age of 13. Then it starts to get expensive.
Political Situation.
Is it a good time to move to this part of the world? Saudi is dramatically changing. They are walking a fine line between religious piety and the desire to move into the 21st century. They are also faced with increasing unemployment of their youth. The country has the ability to go the same way as Yugoslavia, but will it happen, is anyone’s guess. Then of course we have good old Dubya, his actions will have a direct impact on the standard of living around here.
Family.
If you were talking about Jeddah, I would say bring them, they will have a great time. Hopefully someone else will comment on Riyadh.
Check out www.arabnews.com or www.zgrocer.com
Email me if you want more.
Cheers
Mutt
[email protected]
The big thing about Saudi is who are you going to work for. If possible try talking to some of their present expat employees. If its a smaller company, make sure that they have a reputation of paying salaries on time. For the other items I'll try to take them in order based on this side of the country..
Package:
It should include housing, schooling, medical and sufficient return tickets to maintain your sanity.
Housing:
Make sure that you are offered compound housing and not a villa. The standard of compounds ranges from crap to holiday resorts.
Recreation:
Not sure! The people that i knew there didnt seem to have any problems finding social activities. There are numerous satellite channels so you should be able to keep up with EastEnders! At least in Jeddah there are numerous international restaurants ranging from Chillis, Fridays, Applebees, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, Papa Johns, Dominos, McD’s, BurgerKing etc etc. I presume that at least some of these will also have braches in Riyadh.
Cost of Living.
Petrol 9 pence per litre, car insurance 2.5% the value of the car. 3 year old Range Rover Discover is about UK6000. I dont pay for power, water or gas, so i cant comment on these. Price of food really depends on if you want to eat local or international brands. For example, Pepsi canned here is around UK3 per case (24 cans). A US import of Root Beer or Tonic water is around UK12 per case.
Schooling.
UK and US systems, usually considered excellent up to around the age of 13. Then it starts to get expensive.
Political Situation.
Is it a good time to move to this part of the world? Saudi is dramatically changing. They are walking a fine line between religious piety and the desire to move into the 21st century. They are also faced with increasing unemployment of their youth. The country has the ability to go the same way as Yugoslavia, but will it happen, is anyone’s guess. Then of course we have good old Dubya, his actions will have a direct impact on the standard of living around here.
Family.
If you were talking about Jeddah, I would say bring them, they will have a great time. Hopefully someone else will comment on Riyadh.
Check out www.arabnews.com or www.zgrocer.com
Email me if you want more.
Cheers
Mutt
[email protected]
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Wabag
Many thanks 3greens and Mutt.
What are some of the areas that have "suitable" compound housing in Riyadh?
Can women drive?
What does one do if one wants to have a beer or two or a bottle of wine?
Ta
What are some of the areas that have "suitable" compound housing in Riyadh?
Can women drive?
What does one do if one wants to have a beer or two or a bottle of wine?
Ta
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 125
Likes: 6
From: Pub
Try www.alhamra.com.sa - a nice compound with many amenities, have lived there on and off for 3 years. Other compounds include Arizona, and Kingdom. they may yield something in a search engine....
Woman may not drive.
Officially alchohol is forbidden. Read what you will into that..
[URL=http://www.alhamra.com.sa]
Woman may not drive.
Officially alchohol is forbidden. Read what you will into that..
[URL=http://www.alhamra.com.sa]
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Wabag
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 67
Likes: 2
From: Crossroads of Europe
I wouldn't do it if I were you. 25 years ago it was quite pleasant, if more primitive, but now you're not wanted and you're made to feel it. With the political situation as it is I certainly wouldn't take family down there at the moment. Check out http://www.miraserve.com/englishnew.htm or read 'The Rise, Corruption & Coming Fall of the House of Saud' by Said Aburish.
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 5,552
Likes: 25
From: ME
Charlie Fox, that site must be good, I tried it and got the following...
Access to the requested URL is not allowed!
Requested page: http://www.miraserve.com/englishnew.htm
Please, fill out the form below if you believe the requested page should not be blocked:
Form for URL unblocking request
Please, send other sites you feel should be blocked using the following form:
Ivan, I didnt send you anything, it was 4HP.
Mutt.
Access to the requested URL is not allowed!
Requested page: http://www.miraserve.com/englishnew.htm
Please, fill out the form below if you believe the requested page should not be blocked:
Form for URL unblocking request
Please, send other sites you feel should be blocked using the following form:
Ivan, I didnt send you anything, it was 4HP.
Mutt.
