khitan004

There seems to be a plethora of people asking the same questions but I have yet to find a place with any semblence of useful answers. I don't profess to being an expert in this subject but I am in the middle of it currently and wish to give my advice and experiences.

First thing I have to point out to people is THERE IS NO ROOM AT THE INN.

Every compound is full, and has a waiting list. These waiting lists are in the region of YEARS not weeks. If you are coming to Riyadh expecting to walk into a top-quality compound you will be hugely disappointed. Bigger companies used to have their own compounds for their own workers. I am not an employee of a bigger company so don't know if this is still the case.

If your company are sorting out your accommodation then find out where. If you come over not knowing you WILL end up in somewhere shit. I am responsible for my own accommodation with a monthly stipend. I can afford next to nothing and there is only 4 hotels I know about which I can afford, all basic. If you go down this route, you are also out of the running for places which require the WHOLE of the year's rent UP FRONT.

Contacting compounds is notoriously difficult. Messages, emails are often left unresponded to forever. The only real solution is to literally meet the resident manager face-to-face. This is difficult as how do you get into the compound?

If you are here long term, have any other family, or are a woman, you really must not come across if you are not GUARANTEED a western compound.

However, it is not all doom and gloom. Here are my tips:

If you're going it alone: Get a Saudi phone, and CALL. Get a cab and MEET the manager and fill in any paperwork. Go to the following websites:

http://housing.justlanded.com/en/Sau...adh/For-Rent/1

http://www.rightcompound.com/

The bottom one is less helpful than it could be but has most contact details etc. Also, be prepared to have no social interaction with other westerners outside of work.

If your company is sorting it out for you: Don't bring anybody else with you initiailly until you are satisfied. They will not get the luxury of socialising at work like you. It can feel like a prison at times. Get the to commit to a year if they get you a compound. If not, don't commit to accommodation for more than 1 or 2 months.

There is a massive shortage for us expats over here and it seems they are slow in recognising a massive business opportunity. Especially as we get onto...

MONEY.
Most compounds will start at around SR70k for a basic one-bed. For 2 and 3-bed you are talk SR120-150k for bottom-end compounds. There are a few 'luxury' compounds which go upwards of SR250-300k per year.

CHECK how much money is allocated for accommodation. Getting a rough estimate will let you know the quality of compound you are staying in.

Please contribute if you have anything to add and good luck.

Alexa

Good and very important post.
I have been saying this to each and every person considering to go to Saudi I came across. Most did not listen though.

khitan004

I came over for two months in April/June. I was put in some Arabic hotel and it was basic. I grew to think of it as 'OK'. The best way to get into somewhere decent was to take the money and run so to speak. I have a few leads but doubt anything will transpire. I am supposed to be here for 9 months now and the hotel I am in at the moment has a much nicer bed but I have yet to venture out to seek amenities.

I cannot believe how many times I see "moving to Riyadh in a few weeks, looking for a compound..." and I think, you have no chance. Disappointing really. There are a couple of new ones being built, Riyadh Village has taken over Siemens here and is a refurb. Guess they just can't keep up with demand.

Alexa

I lived in Riyadh a few years ago, was on Kingdom, thank god. Am now in Qatar and absolutely hate it here...we had a few offers for Riyadh, which I would LOVE to go back to. But, with being told "you have to find your own housing" I just won't go. No way.

khitan004

Kingdom?! How did you wangle that one? Went there pretty much first week to meet a contact who knew a friend in there. Is a millions miles away from where I am at the moment.

Alexa

My company has villas there. The only way to get in...or to work for Prince Waleed.