Dominic82

URGENT!!

Can anyone PM help for me in locating rental accommodation on the DQ. I am desperately seeking a two bedroom place but would be also happy to share. Was given a few numbers to call but to no avail. If anyone could give me a heads up I would be most appreciative.

Kind Regards

flares

These may be the nos you have tried already but...

Hi Mate
I found these details for the DQ...
I believe there are 2 estate agencies that look after this area...here are the details for one...

0555566066

TEL: 920000304

FAX: 920000353

[email protected]

Real Stat Agency

Dominic82

Cheers for that. Unfortunately I have tried these numbers but they don't seem to want to pick up!!

MaserMan

Why the DQ, it is almost like living outside of a compound with all the restrictions they put on you.

tonguetwister

I live on the DQ and I've not noticed any restrictions...

MaserMan

As an example you can't go to the gym or the swimming pool with your family as mixed is not allowed, women are meant to wear there abaya if outside the house. The place is regularly visited by the mutawa. It was enough to make me say no to a villa we looked at.

tonguetwister

I'm going to call bull on bits of that.

Sports centre and swimming pool are still segregated, but if you happen to know somebody in an embassy with a pool, it isn't difficult to get on into an embassy pool that is completely free of segregation.

As for the Mutawwa, they are absolutely, positively, utterly prohibited from entering the Diplomatic Quarters.

As for the abaya, my wife has been gallavanting around the DQ without an abaya, all the while being protected by the DQ police who haven't said a word.

flares

I would consider the DQ as a place to live. Feels less caged/prison-like than compounds but safe!

tonguetwister

Only problem I have with the DQ is that it still feels very saudi with very high walls surrounding individual houses. It gets quite boring and you don't really get that same sense of community as you would on a western compound. That said, that doesn't stop socialising etc; it's more a visual/psychological thing for me.

spartans53

The run around the outside is great as well, 10 miles with nice views and hills. The view of the Ritz Carlton is amazing.

MaserMan

Maybe things have changed as it was about 12 months ago we looked. I have however seen the muttawa up there.

tonguetwister

You may have seen Salafists up here, ie religious conservatives who may be dressed simililarly to Muttawa, but they are prohibited from engaging in Muttawaeen-like activities within the DQ.

MaserMan

Nope, white landcruiser or similar with big emblem on the door! It was also confirmed when we were looking to move on by the director of the company who had the villa for rent. It was one of those 'you should be aware' conversations. I was shocked as I was of the same opinion that they were not allowed on to the DQ.

Thing is just look at the pressure embassy's are coming under from Saudi authorities to stop being used to host social events. The worst case was the SA embassy that closed up shop to everything. The UK embassy it was alleged also restricted access to the premises to show good faith, but the ambassador did not last long!

tonguetwister

Is that the reason why the British Embassy introduced the "Sponsor" system?

bobski

Hi Dominic, I'm a brit flying out in November for a year IT contract and up for sharing an apartment near Olaya Street if you are interested.