Desert Shaikh

Just want to say hi and introduce myself first of all.

I am a single guy and have been in Riyadh for 3 weeks now and thought it might be a good idea to join BE to meet fellow expats.

Currently working in the financial sector on a permanent basis (although contracts get renewed every 2 years I think).

I am currently on a Business visa as they wanted to get me over here ASAP. I have been told I will need to go back to the UK to get the proper residential/iqama in a few weeks time.

Saudi seems ok despite hearing negative things. However, it does get boring at times especially in the evenings.

Anyway, hope to get to know more of you in time.

The Dean

Welcome to The Bored........

Where are you living? I'm curious how the accommodation thing looks at present there - did your employer find you something or did you have to do it yourself?

Alfi

Hi. My husband and I are moving to Riyadh in a few weeks time. From looking through all of these forums it seems that there are loads of new expats going to Riyadh currently. Some of the posts I have read have been from single people or those not living in compounds who are finding life very lonely. Having lived in Kuwait in the past and come across people who also found it difficult to meet people I really feel for these expats. I am a teacher and will live on a compound so i guess will have no problem meeting people.
However me and my husband have no kids and are pretty social people so I am keen to meet as many new people as possible when we arrive.
Do you live in a compound? Which one? Stay in touch - I plan to have a 'New in Riyadh' party once we are in a position to celebrate / commiserate 'properly' with other new (and old) people.

Desert Shaikh

Thanks.

At the moment the company has put me up in a 5* hotel (B & B). I found compounds very hard to come by and prices were extortionate. What I have done is rented a private villa, from my annual allowance. It just needs to be furnished, for which I plan to do this week.

I did try renting in apartments, but they seem to be reserved only for families as they dont seem to like single guys living in family residential apartments. Villa is new and self contained and privacy is assured.

Yes I think it would be nice to have a expat get together.

coffindodger

Hi having now been in Riyadh for 6 months and got my papers are sorted out, also just moved into a compound, and a car so if i can help any one out.
Jjust send me a pm ok.

Desert Rat

Lived in Saudi for 6 years, 2 in Riyadh and 4 in Jeddah. I now live in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia is totally different to any other country in the Middle East and bears no resemblance to UAE, Oman or Qatar.
Riyadh is particularly harsh with very little to do apart from socialising at home. Its extremely intolerant of western life and in my experience women find it particularly difficult due to the restrictions - work, driving, dress code, being unaccompanied etc. I would NOT recommend anyone going to Riyadh on married status.
Jeddah on the other hand is far more liberal, still many restrictions but an expat can have a much better lifestyle. Lots more to do and a better social life if on a compound.

monkieie

Well I suppose it all depends on what your spouse is used to. My wife is due to have our first-born in December and she is coming over in a few weeks to stay with me (for the whole stint). Because we're not really fully-blown socialites at home we won't have too much of a problem over here. At least we're living in a compound - the wife will then be able to get out and talk to others, go to the pool etc. without any probs. Likewise, because she has no issues with wearing an abaya I don't see any problems with going shopping; the biggest issues there will be having to shop around the prayer times.

LofA

Life can be tough in Riyadh, I don't know what nationality you are, but generally speaking western, (and I include those from the antipodes among these), expats need compound life around them to survive. As a single man you can do it - but I wouldn't recommend families to live outside of compounds unless they are remarkably self-contained.
Compound life is OK.

Desert Shaikh

I am a UK National.

Yes compound life is great but the availability is zero with waiting lists which run into months. Not to mention the high costs.

The villa I have managed to rent is big and new. For what I am paying for the 4 bedroom villa I would be lucky to get a 2 bedroom apartment in a half decent compound. The area I will be moving in seems pretty safe and does have its own security patrol. I have seen a combination of locals and some europeans.

LofA

Well best of luck. Keep us posted on how you get on. Life on the compounds of Riyadh is familiar to most of us expats here, so will be interesting to hear how you get on outside. Suggest you keep your name with the compounds and give them a periodic badgering about availability.

kellieb

I have been in Riyadh for one month now - working at one of the hospitals here. Us nurses live on a female only compound so any get togethers would be great. There is a group of about 7 of us and we would really love a get together. We are of different nationalities : UK/Australian/Irish/US - keep us informed. Look forward to meeting some of you soon.

monkieie

I suppose that would be Granada compound then? Not much chance for blokes getting in there then...

Alfi

Leave it to me - will definitely be organising a bbq and as far as we're concerned the more the merrier. Obviously we need to suss out the situation with people coming in to the compound etc. Send me a PM with your email and we'll stay in touch. Cheers.

LofA

Yeah! A get together with seven nurses sounds great! Just watch out for those whose motives for meeting up with a group of 7 nurses will not be strictly honourable or philanthropic. I will be one of them.

Alfi

Does that mean that you want to come too LofA?