Hi to all the expats who live in Riyadh. Just a few lines to introduce myself..I'm originally from Scotland, 36 year old male who's lived quite some time in Leeds.

I have worked in other parts of the Middle East, but decided to go for something different and take a chance on moving to Riyadh - flew in on Sunday. Didn't know what to expect - but was pleasantly surprised that I feel very safe on the streets, the Saudi people I work with are very open and friendly and Riyadh itself is not as strict as I thought it would be on first impressions.

The company have put me up for 2 weeks in the Marriott and I'm currently going through the 'pleasure' of finding a place to live. Now some/most will think I'm crazy - but the company did have a 1 bedroom place on Cordoba compound for me - but one look at the place I knew it wasn't right for me - the apartment and the compound - so have decided to take a chance and find somewhere else.

I'm up for meeting new people - so please drop me a line to get in contact and hopefully speak to you soon.

PS - how do I go about getting onto the list of the Embassy parties - obviously for the canopies only

Hi,

Been in Riyadh for 4 month now and i'm still trying to get in a compound. Looking back now, if I had a chance to have a 1 bed in a (any) compound, I would jump on it.

But then again it's about who you know and the luck of the draw to. A colleague of mine arrived here two weeks after me and found an appartment after a week!

If you want to meet or discuss, feel free to contact me, however being one of the new kid on the block I won't be able to expand your social circle or get you in embassy parties!.

Good luck with your search.

What was wrong with Cordoba, you should have jumped at the chance. Lots of others would have done

Perhaps I was a little hasty when I said the compound and apartment. The compound itself seemed okay at 10pm at night - was just a bit miffed off that my company had said it was like a serviced apartment - and when I got there the place was empty - and to be fair the apartments are not very nice or at least the one I looked at. Might give the compound manager a call and see if by any chance he has any villas free - they looked nice. Let me know if you know any that are free.

Welcome to Riyadh, this is my second week in Riyadh, and I m in the same boat too looking for a place. I m staying at company housing in a compound till end of month. So far, no luck finding a place.

If you guys need to meet sometime this weekend or so, please drop me a line.

Sure - be good to meet up this weekend - we can swap numbers through PM and try arrange something along with user EMT - anyone else interested - feel free to drop a line.

I should be coming out in a couple of weeks...

My Employers have said that they will put me in a hotel but then I have to find my own accomodation as they are not affiliated with any compounds.

I am a 38y.o programmer, easy going, like socialising. I like playing Football and Badminton... Married with 2 kids (Coming on my todd though).

The amount they are giving me a month for housing doesn't look good enough to secure a place of my own.

Arthur..

Arthur,
there are some real experts on here that will give advice about packages particularly housing. I would suggest you start a new thread and state what your company are willing to give you. Without a good package it really is not worth being here, as for finding your own compound the chances are about NIL
regards

Hi Danajj

I have been in Riyadh for one month now (second time here) am employed by one of the hospitals here so live on hospital grounds.

As far as the embassies go you need to register with your embassy - give them a call or email them to let them know that u are here.

A good way of meeting people is thru the Hash Harriers - if u are into walking in the desert.

Good luck with the accommodation hunting.

Hi Kellieb, yes I've just heard today about the Hash Harriers - will be brushing off the dust from my trainers - through lack of use and not from Riyadh dust and join up in the next few weeks. Thanks for reply.

Let me know what day etc u are going and maybe we cld say hi

Sure no problem - probably next week or the week after - will let you know when I pluck up the courage.

Its not all that bad - and after August it shld start cooling down a bit so it will be much better. First time I went which was about three weeks ago - it was soooo hot. So it will be much more enjoyable when its cooler

Hi all,

I am British single female. I arrived in Riyadh last Sept. will be here for quite sometime. My employer first put us - all staff- in one block of apartments. So resteicting for a single female as you can't go out like men or even invite people to your apartment. But this year we have been given allowance to move out to compounds. I live now at a compound which improved my life dramatically. Not at all bad for me. At least I don't have to do every thing with my work mates. I have some aussie friends who register me into the aussie parties.. Gr8.. the only thing about the aussie's is that you should be signed in each time by who ever aussie, so you need to find those good old aussies. I also made some friends by attending Salsa and line dancing classes and that's how you get in the loop. I am on holiday now in UK till 5th Sept. and would like to meet up with people working in Riyadh when I come back. I like the social bit of it.

Expat male in Riyadh joins online forum and arranges to meet expat female in Riyadh............

Could you both just kneel down please? Yes, that's it - just in front of that man with the big sword..............