Nikki1103

Hi

Thanks for all the replies on my previous thread.

My husband has now been given a bit more information on our move to Riyadh.

Due to such big waiting list's for compounds the compound we have been allocated is FAL Compound for our first year.

Can anyone give us some general information about this compound.

We will be bringing our 9 month old daughter too so any information on baby groups ect would be useful.

Many Thanks

Victor Meldrew

My info is a bit dated and some of it second hand.

I lived in Fal 2002 to 2003 and knew people who lived there before/after these dates.

It is an older compound which is well maintained. It has a restaurant, shop and indoor swimming pool. It also used to have a barbers and beauty salon plus a canadian lady who did massage.

It was a fairly 'western' compound when I lived there.

I really liked the atmosphere there, as well as the buildings.

However a couple of years ago I met up with someone who still works there/lives in Al Hamra. He said that Fal has become more 'Arab' than 'Western' (I don't know how else to put it). He said it seems less free and that there are many walking around wearing abaya and face covering within the compound even though they don't need to.

I would see if you could get a place in Al Hamra which is not far away from there, is much more westernised and has much better facilities.

Nikki1103

Thanks for your reply Victor Meldrew.

Has anyone got any more Info on this compound ??

We are moving there in just over 2 months and I need some more idea or what to expect.

Many Thanks

irich

I lived there for a few months in 2001. It was OK.

Lots of Lebanese now on FAL from what I hear. This can bring some issues with cultural differences.

Hippacrocapig

I have a few single friends on fal and yes there are a lot of lebons living there. Abayas too. Facilities are good though but not many Brits there at the moment. In my opinion I would try to opt out of fal. Chances of any units coming vacant in al Hamra zero though! Remember though there is no such thing as a perfect villa in a perfect compound. Make the most of outside compound life, join all groups available. It's what you make of it. You have to work at a social life it doesn't just fall in your lap!

desertmum

I have a friend who lives on Fal and she was complaining last week of someone shaving their legs in the swimming pool . . . yukky yuk not good!

Millhouse

you mean lying?

1967tazz

Just say it like it is Millhouse

rebecca.wright.uk

I have just arrived in Riyadh and will be looking at Fal too as an option to live there. I am a single British female and concerned by what I have read that Fal does not have may European or American residents anymore. Is this true, or are things being exaggerated? Does anyone know of any other good compounds that have availability at the moment? I am looking for a one bedroom apartment. Appreciate any advice anyone can give me. Thanks