Help Please! Riyadh
 

Hi everyone

My fiance and I are looking for work and I've been offered a job in Riyadh. I need to know a few things so if anyone can help I'd be most grateful)!

1. Do people reside together without being married?
2. It sounds like the cost of living is cheap. The company I may go to work with will provide me with house, car, flights...but what would people generally spend on groceries, phone, internet, public transport (my fiance doesn't drive) and other general cost of living. We don't have kids.
3. What is the dress code for men and women?
4. What sort of social life is there? Restaurants, cinema, parks etc...no boozing so what do people do?
5. Is it enjoyable?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Re: Help Please! Riyadh
 

Sorry but to be blunt you have no idea of Saudi do you ? Your fiance CANNOT go to Saudi; she will not be issued with a visa unless you are married and your employer sponsors her for a visa OR she is a nurse or similar and gets a job off her own back. Even then living together without at least a local marriage certificate is asking for serious trouble.

If she doesn't meet the above criteria then you will be on your own.

p.s. There are no cinemas or parks either [a park is of limited use when its 55 degrees outside] to speak of. Riyadh is a very restrictive place as it is the capital. Anything that smacks of being enjoyable is banned.

p.p.s. If you can look at it as a chance to make some good tax-free money and can put up with it them research it more. Oh and you can get pissed there; you just need to make your own booze, find a supplier or go to the embassies all the time.

Re: Help Please! Riyadh
 

Not living in Saudi, but I think I can answer your questions. I do think you should do WAY more preparation, because if you have to ask these questions..

Re: Help Please! Riyadh
 

You do spend a fair chunk on holidays getting away it seems though :D

And to the OP, welcome to BE, but seriously, take a look at the wiki and past threads, there's plenty of info that looks like it'll be a eye opener for you.

Re: Help Please! Riyadh
 

"I think this depends on you, but don't really think people "enjoy" living in Saudi-Arabia as westerners. Its amazing to save a lot of money cause you don't have anything to spend it on."

Have to disagree with you there. Been here for 2 months so far and I really enjoy life here!

Re: Help Please! Riyadh
 

I am a female going back to Riyadh for the second time - and I loved every minute of it.