British Expat 555

Hi there !

I am currently working in the city and I am due to move to Riyadh imminently with my wife and our 14 months old baby. I have been going through the thankless task of trying to find suitable compound accommodation in Riyadh and so far it seems like it is mission impossible. I have contacted Al Hamra, Kingdom City, Arizona, Arabian Homes, Yamamah, Cordoba and Eid) - all fully booked with, apparently, waiting lists of 1 to 2 years !! My employer just set up an office in Riyadh so it does not yet have the contacts to get me in suitable compound accommodation straight away or even secure accommodation for the foreseeable future.

Am I missing something? Any tips, help would be gratefully received !!

Many thanks !

The Dean

Firstly - welcome to The Bored.

Secondly - this really won't do............. the golden rule here is that men who are about to start work out here and need information about anything get their wives to post the message on their behalf - don't let it happen again!!!!!!!!!

More seriously - it is difficult but you MUST put the ball back in your company's court. Under NO circumstances should you even set one foot in Riyadh without an assurance about somewhere to live. When I first came here (1992) you could just stay in a hotel for a few days while looking around then move in as soon as you found somewhere you liked.

No more - this place is packed.

Others will have suggestions/replies but they won't be very different from mine.

Sorry not to be more encouraging.

nottmbantam

Sadly, have to concur with the the old boy Dean. You must make sure your company sorts out the accommodation for you. It is well known that the compounds in Riyadh are very full with waiting lists, leaving you to sort it out as newcomer will be a total nightmare.

Make sure they have something for you and family BEFORE coming out. Good luck.

Alexa

Man , it is really shameful how the companies are messing around with newbies over there......

Hiya Dean...how's things in the Magic Kingdom?
Am still stuck in Qatar, seems we are staying for some time to come, had an offer we could not refuse....Btw, heard Panchita's in KC is open again....

The Dean

Panchita's? Good news travels fast..............

Sending you a PM............

British Expat 555

Dean & all -

Thanks for the replies.

I am just trying to widen the net of compounds whilst obviously minimising the impact on the quality of the accommodation & facilities. One of the most important aspects is the nursery/pre-school for the little one. Would you suggest any other compounds apart of the ones mentioned in my earlier message (Arizona, Al Hamra, Kingdom City, Arabian Homes, Yamamah 3, Eid, Cordoba)? Do you guys have any feedback on Fal ? Again - many thanks ! This is proving a lot more cumbersome than anticipated...

admon

does sound like a nightmare, wish you the best of luck. Sounds like you are going to need it!

Nic1

I don't think things are as bad as they sound - I know people who've just moved onto Kingdom Compound, only been in KSA a month- and it's not a company villa - so somehow they have jumped the queue . . . Also know another family who've just bagged a villa on Hamra and they've not been here long - again not a company villa. So probably worth calling the compounds and talking to the manager - be nice and see what happens.

A lot of companies seem to washing thier hands on getting accommodation, but as everyone says you should push them to sort you out. It's so much easier to be on a compound if you have a family - altho not impossible to be off compound.

Compounds with nurseries are Hamra (fab nursery, lovely administrator ), Arizona, Eid, Fal, Cordoba (I think), and of course the British School is next door to Hamra if that's where you would move your child onto.

Good luck
N

RPC

Hope you got sorted out with a compound.

My son (4 next June) and I will join my husband in Riyadh a few months. We are supposed to be moving to the new phase of Al Yamamah compound off Junction 15. Anyone out there already living there or know of someone who could provide me with some info on the compound - facilities, playground, school buses, playschool (you know all the usual Mummy needs to know info). Left Riyadh 7 years ago, so looking forward to seeing all the changes. Used to live on Najd compound.

Nic1

Al yamama has a pre-school/nursery, I have a friend who works there - will ask her for more info.

N

RPC

I'd really appreciate that. All advance info is of great assistance. Went out to Riyadh in 1997 as single female now back as the married mammy so it's a whole different focus this time.

mcmonkiez

how much is the 2 bedroom apt or small villa in Yamama?

any body have idea?

RPC

Well Al Yamama is a no goer. Apparently govt has moved in and taken over Phase 3 so we're back to square one ourselves looking for somewhere to live..... Anyone hear of a 2 bed going??

lambs_tail

RPC, try Arabian Homes compound. I have heard that people are starting to leave Riyadh because they are losing their jobs.

still.unsure

hey lambs_tail, what job losses have you heard about?