Hopefully going to get flown out in the next few weeks for finalise a job offer.

Company are arranging the accommodation, anyone currently living out their who can offer advice on best compounds and pitfalls to look out for etc would be much appreciated.

Going be living the single life for the first twelve months, so what’s the chances of a game of golf, drink and gym membership?

I hope you know how to brew your own beer?

All I can say is be quick off the plane to get somewhere near the front of the passport queue!

I live off compound, and apart from a few hours in the evening am working most of the time - but I do get every other week end out, usually Dubai. As a consequence, I have not really got involved in the social side of Jeddah.

I believe there is golf, there are gyms and loads of places to have a drink.........of fruit juice.

Bonny boy where abouts are you staying?

I have been here on/off for 12 months now and could end up here longer,I dont want to stay in a hotel if we get the work long time,but not sure if I could get on a compound with the waiting lists etc. Is there any decent alternatives?

Gyms,squash and scuba are all here.Regarding drink? erm not for me anyway,think its on the compounds though.

Good luck at the airport its a very unwelcoming experience as will be the first few months,I am now used to the place and actually enjoy it.

Well I 'live' in a hotel , but mostly I'm at work.

Do a bit of running along the central corniche of an evening - but starting to get humid now.

There is a certain anything goes anarchy here that has an appeal of sorts. ie Anything goes on the roads, no enforcement of whatever rules may in theory exist; ditto on Saudi flights - Saudi may not always give the safety briefing on departure, but the prophets (pbuh) prayer is never missed; on landing, the plane will have barely slowed up on the runway when people will be up and getting their bags.

I've gone a bit 'native' myself in these respects. I must remember that red traffic lights are taken seriously in most places.

I'm staying on the corniche, al bilad hotel, got a good gym,outdoor pool,squash and table tennis also a private beach with scuba,only been once as its rammed. Whats your place got to offer?
I dont do outdoor running here as the foot paths are crap and locals get in the way.

Gym, pool etc where I am, but it's a company deal so no choice.

I spend most of the day inside, so I like to get out of an evening. I run the central corniche between the end of Palestine St. and the Al Rowais Bridge at the Municipality Building. There is a brown mosque there, just up from the fish market. Once I survive the streets and get to the corniche, it's traffic free running, but yes, you have to dodge the locals as they picnic on their rugs, plus the donkeys and quad bikes.

Never seen anyone else running in this area. There is a Hash House Harriers group here, but they run Thurs afternoon when I am working. There is also a Jeddah Road Runners Club, but never been able to get contact details, and as I have said, not much spare time anyway.

Try to get an apartment in Arabian Homes compounds. There you have everything.......

Hello

Please see below some descriptions of the best compounds in Jeddah (my opinion) I reside in Arabian Homes but have been to others.
!

In terms of living here, as a guy I would recommend living on a compound there is loads to do, a great socail scene, beaches, diving and drinks !

The beaches in Jeddah are plentiful but I would personally recommend a couple.

The Sheraton beach, a tad more expensive to get in but a very nice beach and a great place to dive from. ( Difficult to pay in at weekends, current membership about 6000 SAR.

Silver Beach (Silver Sands), probably our favorite beach ( it is actually a beach ) has a really nice feel to it and is far larger than the others.

AL Murjan (Arabian Homes beach) Nice beach, I feel a little run down but still quite a tranquil place.

The beer and wine issue ......... I really can not say !!!!! However try and get on the British Consulate nights and black tie balls, great occasions. Also the American consulate is another good night out. There is also a lot of social events within the compounds.

In general if you get to know the right people in the know you can have a absolute fabulous time in Jeddah. Our social life in Jeddah is far more intense than anything we had in the UK. For the first few months never turn down and invite and get to see as much as you can.

Just remember it is not Dubai and there are more restrictions but in the current climate and times I would not want to be anywhere else.

Please see the compounds below. I hope it helps and welcome to Jeddah.

Compounds

Arabian Homes dominates the upper tier of the expatriate compound market. It has four separate compounds in north Jeddah and as the longest established provider of expatriate accommodation, age has brought experience - they seem to have nearly every base covered in terms of facilities offered and maintenance standards. Sierra Village is the largest in the group (and the second largest in Jeddah) with 556 units ranging from five bedroom villas to studio apartments. Andalus has 210 units of varying sizes whilst Marbella has 50 apartments and houses and Medina Road 20 villas. The compounds consist of attractive Andalucian style stucco villas, townhouses and apartments, grouped around sparkling blue swimming pools set in lush gardens.

From bachelor apartments to three bedroom villas, interiors are furnished to a very high standard. Sports facilities, floodlit tennis, squash, gymnasiums and bowling are a short walk from your door or easily accessible using the dedicated bus service between the compounds.

Sierra and Andalus both have restaurants which also offer home delivery and catering for poolside gatherings or dinner parties. The high staff to resident ratio ensures the environment is manicured to perfection. Supermarkets, hairdressing salons, playgrounds and the bus and limousine services cater for the day-to-day needs of the family. On Sierra there is also a nursery for children aged six months-three years, feeding into the on-site preschool for ages three to five. A weekly newsletter gives details of many activities and events. Maintenance and security are 24 hours.

Arabian Homes' rates are admittedly in the highest band for accommodation but currently it remains the top address in Jeddah. Contact: David WheenTel: 682 2201 Fax: 683 5460 email: [email protected] Website: Arabian Homes

Al Basateen Village is the newest in the market, opened in January 2001. Bordering the Continental School, the 188 villas are made up of four property types, offering spacious and flexible three and four bedroom accommodation, all with maid's quarters, ranging from 215m2 to 355m2 - the largest on any compound in Jeddah. The residents' facilities are comprehensive to say the least:- supermarket, dry cleaners, restaurant with terrace and tea garden, medical clinic, four lane bowling hall with pool tables and snack bar, gymnasium, separate changing rooms each with sauna, steam room and spa, massage room, beauty salon, conference room, large multi-purpose function room, squash courts, floodlit tennis and basketball courts, floodlit multi-purpose court with spectator seating, large centralised swimming pool with wet/dry-side juice/ice cream bar, adjacent partly-shaded children's pool, fully equipped play ground and three supplementary swimming pools. Villas will have digital satellite television with 30 channels and dedicated internet access. Shopping and school buses and a limousine service will also be available. Contact: Tim Redfearn Tel: 699 0999 Fax: 699 1179 email: [email protected]

Binzagr Villa Compound is located on Madinah Road, opposite the Juffali Building. A well-maintained family compound, it consists of 74 one to four bedroom units with large swimming pool (heated in the winter!), barbecue area, children's playground, two tennis courts, squash court, health club and a recreation centre with sauna, snooker and pool room and indoor children's playroom. Contact: Clive or Tony Pilgrim, Rohan Badenhorst Tel: 661 1781 Fax: 667 1181 or see the website.

Elite Compound * NEW * Brand new compound (2002) in the Al Rawdah district consisting of two and three bedroom villas with maids quarters. Looks to be very well equipped with sports centre, satellite TV, internet access, shopping buses, swimming pools, tennis/volleyball court, squash court, community centre and 24 maintenance. Contact the Sales Manager on 02 688 1111 or see the website (turn the volume down on your speakers as the music is somewhat irritating!)..

Sharbatly Village on Prince Majed Street, is almost a small town - 950 villas ranging from one bedroom to four bedroom executive villas, all with private gardens, spread over half a million square metres. Properties are available unfurnished or furnished with different packages to suit any budget. The newly-built Community Centre and Health Club provides an internet corner, aerobics studio, gymnasium, community lounge, extensive library and multi-purpose rooms. Three additional recreation centres offer indoor and outdoor activities including: two glass backed air-conditioned squash courts, snooker club, two adults and two children's swimming pools, two basketball/volleyball/hockey courts, football pitch, mini golf, skating area, three golf practice nets and a games room with table tennis, television, billiard table, youth club and two snack bars that also offer home delivery. Activities and sporting events are organised for residents. Other facilities include a supermarket, dental clinic, travel agent, 40 in-house video channels and shopping and school buses.

The overriding advantage of Sharbatly Village is the space - once around the village constitutes a long jog or bike ride - and the privacy afforded by a private, walled garden. Contact: Sales Department Tel: 691 0828 ext4622 or 4604 Fax: 639 3871 email [email protected] website Sharbatly Village on Prince Majed Street, is almost a small town - 950 villas ranging from one bedroom to four bedroom executive villas, all with private gardens, spread over half a million square metres. Properties are available unfurnished or furnished with different packages to suit any budget. The newly-built Community Centre and Health Club provides an internet corner, aerobics studio, gymnasium, community lounge, extensive library and multi-purpose rooms. Three additional recreation centres offer indoor and outdoor activities including: two glass backed air-conditioned squash courts, snooker club, two adults and two children's swimming pools, two basketball/volleyball/hockey courts, football pitch, mini golf, skating area, three golf practice nets and a games room with table tennis, television, billiard table, youth club and two snack bars that also offer home delivery. Activities and sporting events are organised for residents. Other facilities include a supermarket, dental clinic, travel agent, 40 in-house video channels and shopping and school buses.

The overriding advantage of Sharbatly Village is the space - once around the village constitutes a long jog or bike ride - and the privacy afforded by a private, walled garden. Contact: Sales Department Tel: 691 0828 ext4622 or 4604 Fax: 639 3871 email [email protected] website Sharbatly Village

Excellent post Pete

I know it's a 'how long is a piece of string' but how much on average in one the listed compounds would you say a three bed villa would be ? What are the waiting lists like. I have e-mailed the compounds as well for confirmation but thought you might be quicker

Thanks

Danny
In a good compound you are going to be looking between 145,000 - 180,000

Others I think you are still going to looking above 130,000

Hope that helps

Waiting lists.

At the start of the year all compounds were full, since KAUST (University) opened it has freed up a number of villas and apartments.

We are seeing quite a few people moving in and out at the moment so I think it should be pretty good.

Just pester the guys in charge, call them all the time.

Pete

Do these fees include elec/gas bills, etc.

Arabian have been in touch and I need to fill in a form and send back to them listing my requirements.

I will actually be working at Kaust so driving an hour from my compound each day. I would like a compound near the schools (say Sierra) - thats if I get a place in the school for my daughter !

It's looking a bit tight cash wise now - 30000 riyals a month - got to sort out my accomodation with that as well. Once all over here I will have to send back £500 a month to cover a fits and bobs.

I have to got to rush really as the HR dept are pushing me for a signature.

Do'able ????!!!

why don't u stay in the KAUST compound?

There is excellent diving in the Red Sea. My advice to anyone living in Jeddah would be to learn to dive. Contact PADI and get your open water qualification. A good way to keep yourself sane on the weekends especially if you are single.