Some Compound Prices As Promised
Dec 10th 2009, 12:06 pm
#16
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 2,675
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
I don't think it is that they think people are stupid. Usually companies calculate housing allowances based on a set percentage of basic salary (or similar) and since this has to fit all expats it tends to be on the low side. Western compounds cost a lot more than arab compounds, and since there are fewer western expats than arabs the average gets dragged down...
Don't be too cynical mate, you're not even here yet. You'll get plenty cynical after a few weeks in the country...
Be up front with them about your requirements, tell them how much you have discovered it will cost to fulfill those requirements and then tell them you want their help in securing a place.
Unless you are truly one of a kind or they are desperate they are however unlikely to drop everything to satisfy your demands. Contrary to what is normally advised on the forums you have a lot more leverage once your work visa has been issued. That is effectively when you start costing the company a lot of money, and since they are unlikely to be swimming in visa allocations they are effectively stuck with you! However I can't stress enough that unless you are at least 90% happy with the package they have offered you I wouldn't advise this tactic!
And now I will wait for all the pleasant people of the forum to tell me that I am wrong - and crazy - for speaking about this tactic, and that it will never work.
Don't be too cynical mate, you're not even here yet. You'll get plenty cynical after a few weeks in the country...
Be up front with them about your requirements, tell them how much you have discovered it will cost to fulfill those requirements and then tell them you want their help in securing a place.
Unless you are truly one of a kind or they are desperate they are however unlikely to drop everything to satisfy your demands. Contrary to what is normally advised on the forums you have a lot more leverage once your work visa has been issued. That is effectively when you start costing the company a lot of money, and since they are unlikely to be swimming in visa allocations they are effectively stuck with you! However I can't stress enough that unless you are at least 90% happy with the package they have offered you I wouldn't advise this tactic!
And now I will wait for all the pleasant people of the forum to tell me that I am wrong - and crazy - for speaking about this tactic, and that it will never work.
That really is all there is to it.
I know from a friend of mine ,who is working for a very large scandinavian company in Riyadh, that he could not hire the people he needed because he could not secure housing on a decent Western compound.
And this company has a lot of clout in Riyadh.
We have, although we would LOVE to go back, declined several offers for Riyadh , because the housing we want was just not available at the time.
Dec 10th 2009, 12:52 pm
#17
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
You should listen to Alexa by the way...
I'm just a bit of a risk taker that's all...
I'm just a bit of a risk taker that's all...
Dec 11th 2009, 10:21 am
#18
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 15
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Alexa is right to an extent. If you have a wife and kids, life will be easier for them. From my limited experience of living here, I can however say that as a single man in Riyadh it is not necessary to live on a compound, as you have a great deal of freedom to do as you wish (with the exception of drinking and eating bacon sandwiches.....) That being said, you may want to look into serviced hotels as they are comfortable, extremely cheap in comparison with any compound, and in plentiful supply.
hope this helps
hope this helps
Dec 11th 2009, 11:44 am
#19
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Vientiane, Laos
Posts: 15
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Thanks all for the additional input.
I've pretty much told them the same as has been mentioned on here - as the offer stands if I was single I'd probably take it however having my family my wife & son need some kind of entertainment and security. So the only way I'll take the role is if they arrange a house/apartment in a decent compound - the Al Hamra Oasis has been mentioned so if they pull that rabbit out of the hat it might swing it! But that said I am consider roles in other parts of SE Asia (where I am currently) so if one of those offers is made I'll naturally be more inclined towards take one of them.
I've pretty much told them the same as has been mentioned on here - as the offer stands if I was single I'd probably take it however having my family my wife & son need some kind of entertainment and security. So the only way I'll take the role is if they arrange a house/apartment in a decent compound - the Al Hamra Oasis has been mentioned so if they pull that rabbit out of the hat it might swing it! But that said I am consider roles in other parts of SE Asia (where I am currently) so if one of those offers is made I'll naturally be more inclined towards take one of them.
Dec 11th 2009, 12:05 pm
#20
Just Joined
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 15
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
I hope it all works out for you
Dec 11th 2009, 2:59 pm
#21
Banned
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 13
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
It will never work!!!!!
Dec 27th 2009, 8:32 am
#22
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: AlKhobar
Posts: 6
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
As promised to some - I've compiled an upto date price list of some of the compounds in Riyadh I've visited over the last few weeks - if anyone has other compound prices - please post on this thread for all the new arrivals that will be coming soon.
Prices are per annum and please note - the waiting lists are long - some 18-24months, hence the biggest advice given several times on this site is make sure your employer uses its influence to get you on a compound before you set foot in the country.
Rough guide to how much in GBP
50000SAR = 8200GBP
100000SAR = 16400GBP
150000SAR = 245000GBP,etc,etc
1. Granada Compound:
2 bed apartment 126000SAR
3 bed villa 146000SAR
4 bed villa 166000SAR
Compound Manager: Abdullah, email: [email protected], +9661 248 8387 ext 2000
2. Cordoba Compound
1 bed apartment 130000SAR
2 bed villa 200000SAR
3 bed smaller villa 260000SAR
3 bed larger villa 300000SAR
Compound Manager: Mike, email: [email protected], +9661 2483471
3. Al Hamra Compound
1 bed apartment 130000SAR
2 bed apartment 170000SAR
2 bed villa 220000SAR
3 bed villa 300000SAR
Can't remember contact details for this one - will be on another post somewhere
4. Kingdom City Compound
Duplex 2 bed 110000SAR
2 bed 120000SAR
3 bed standard villa 170000SAR
Can't remember contact details for this one - will be on another post somewhere
5. Ranco Compound
1 bed 45000SAR
2 bed 70000SAR
3 bed 800000SAR
4 bed 900000SAR
www.rancovillage.net
6. Eid Compound
Various 1 bed apartment,etc ranging from 750000-1350000SAR
Various 2 bed apartments and villa ranging from 135000-170000SAR
3 bed villa 180000SAR
3 bed villa deluxe 290000SAR
4 bed villa 220000SAR
Compound Manager: Ahmed, email [email protected], +9661 2483366 ext 3022
I'll add a few more once I find where I put the mislaid compound information packs.
Prices are per annum and please note - the waiting lists are long - some 18-24months, hence the biggest advice given several times on this site is make sure your employer uses its influence to get you on a compound before you set foot in the country.
Rough guide to how much in GBP
50000SAR = 8200GBP
100000SAR = 16400GBP
150000SAR = 245000GBP,etc,etc
1. Granada Compound:
2 bed apartment 126000SAR
3 bed villa 146000SAR
4 bed villa 166000SAR
Compound Manager: Abdullah, email: [email protected], +9661 248 8387 ext 2000
2. Cordoba Compound
1 bed apartment 130000SAR
2 bed villa 200000SAR
3 bed smaller villa 260000SAR
3 bed larger villa 300000SAR
Compound Manager: Mike, email: [email protected], +9661 2483471
3. Al Hamra Compound
1 bed apartment 130000SAR
2 bed apartment 170000SAR
2 bed villa 220000SAR
3 bed villa 300000SAR
Can't remember contact details for this one - will be on another post somewhere
4. Kingdom City Compound
Duplex 2 bed 110000SAR
2 bed 120000SAR
3 bed standard villa 170000SAR
Can't remember contact details for this one - will be on another post somewhere
5. Ranco Compound
1 bed 45000SAR
2 bed 70000SAR
3 bed 800000SAR
4 bed 900000SAR
www.rancovillage.net
6. Eid Compound
Various 1 bed apartment,etc ranging from 750000-1350000SAR
Various 2 bed apartments and villa ranging from 135000-170000SAR
3 bed villa 180000SAR
3 bed villa deluxe 290000SAR
4 bed villa 220000SAR
Compound Manager: Ahmed, email [email protected], +9661 2483366 ext 3022
I'll add a few more once I find where I put the mislaid compound information packs.
Thank you so much Danajj , that's very helpful
...I wonder how much it will be by June 2011 
Dec 28th 2009, 1:40 am
#23
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2009
Location: Vientiane, Laos
Posts: 15
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Funny you should say that - I've told them to 'do one'.
They started the whole conversation on the package upfront and when I turned around and said the only way I'll take the role is if you arrange me a house in a compound. Suddenly they didn't want to discuss the financial package but have a talk about the work. At the point they were told I ain't wasting any time talking about the role etc if they cannot give me what I wanted from a housing or financial viewpoint.
Anyway everything looks on the cards for me remain in SE Asia with a role over this part of the world. Which is nice!
They started the whole conversation on the package upfront and when I turned around and said the only way I'll take the role is if you arrange me a house in a compound. Suddenly they didn't want to discuss the financial package but have a talk about the work. At the point they were told I ain't wasting any time talking about the role etc if they cannot give me what I wanted from a housing or financial viewpoint.
Anyway everything looks on the cards for me remain in SE Asia with a role over this part of the world. Which is nice!
Dec 28th 2009, 3:46 pm
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 740
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Alexa is right to an extent. If you have a wife and kids, life will be easier for them. From my limited experience of living here, I can however say that as a single man in Riyadh it is not necessary to live on a compound, as you have a great deal of freedom to do as you wish (with the exception of drinking and eating bacon sandwiches.....) That being said, you may want to look into serviced hotels as they are comfortable, extremely cheap in comparison with any compound, and in plentiful supply.
hope this helps
hope this helps
Jan 10th 2010, 1:59 pm
#25
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Argengo, Italy
Posts: 33
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Danajj's original post is from a while back. I read elsewhere that the economic downturn had lead to a bit of an ex-Pat exodus in KSA, thus reducing demand/prices and increasing supply of compound accomodation. Is this the case?
Jan 10th 2010, 2:15 pm
#26
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
This is certainly not the case in Khobar....
Jan 11th 2010, 6:12 am
#27
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2009
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 185
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
If anything the prices are rising even quicker now and good accommodation is even harder to find now. The reason being is that because of the downturn around the world, a lot more people are considering the prospect of doing a couple of years in KSA. The economic problems here really aren't too bad as the oil prices are around $70 dollar mark and demand is up especially from China.
Jan 11th 2010, 12:13 pm
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Argengo, Italy
Posts: 33
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
Hmm. Not what I was hoping to hear, as I will have to fund my own accomodation from my salary. 
Jan 12th 2010, 5:45 am
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
2009 price list for AL Hamra
Apartment 1 bedroom 66 sq metres S/R 130,000
Apartment 2 bedroom 111sq metres S/R 170,000
Executive Apartment 3/4 bedroom 225 sq metres S/R 245,000
Villa Type D 2 bedroom 170 sq metres S/R 230,000
Villa Type C 3 bedroom 255 sq metres S/R 260,000
Villa Type B 3 bedroom 300 sq metres S/R 280,000
Villa Type A 3 bedroom 330 sq metres S/R 300,000
VIP Villa 4 bedroom 550 sq metres S/R 400,000
Executive Villa B 5 bedroom 856 sq metres S/R 530,000
Executive Villa A 6 bedroom 1078 sq metres S/R 680,000
Apartment 1 bedroom 66 sq metres S/R 130,000
Apartment 2 bedroom 111sq metres S/R 170,000
Executive Apartment 3/4 bedroom 225 sq metres S/R 245,000
Villa Type D 2 bedroom 170 sq metres S/R 230,000
Villa Type C 3 bedroom 255 sq metres S/R 260,000
Villa Type B 3 bedroom 300 sq metres S/R 280,000
Villa Type A 3 bedroom 330 sq metres S/R 300,000
VIP Villa 4 bedroom 550 sq metres S/R 400,000
Executive Villa B 5 bedroom 856 sq metres S/R 530,000
Executive Villa A 6 bedroom 1078 sq metres S/R 680,000
Jan 12th 2010, 6:22 am
#30
Token Scandinavian Bloke
Joined: Jun 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 2,820
Re: Some Compound Prices As Promised
2009 price list for AL Hamra
Apartment 1 bedroom 66 sq metres S/R 130,000
Apartment 2 bedroom 111sq metres S/R 170,000
Executive Apartment 3/4 bedroom 225 sq metres S/R 245,000
Villa Type D 2 bedroom 170 sq metres S/R 230,000
Villa Type C 3 bedroom 255 sq metres S/R 260,000
Villa Type B 3 bedroom 300 sq metres S/R 280,000
Villa Type A 3 bedroom 330 sq metres S/R 300,000
VIP Villa 4 bedroom 550 sq metres S/R 400,000
Executive Villa B 5 bedroom 856 sq metres S/R 530,000
Executive Villa A 6 bedroom 1078 sq metres S/R 680,000
Apartment 1 bedroom 66 sq metres S/R 130,000
Apartment 2 bedroom 111sq metres S/R 170,000
Executive Apartment 3/4 bedroom 225 sq metres S/R 245,000
Villa Type D 2 bedroom 170 sq metres S/R 230,000
Villa Type C 3 bedroom 255 sq metres S/R 260,000
Villa Type B 3 bedroom 300 sq metres S/R 280,000
Villa Type A 3 bedroom 330 sq metres S/R 300,000
VIP Villa 4 bedroom 550 sq metres S/R 400,000
Executive Villa B 5 bedroom 856 sq metres S/R 530,000
Executive Villa A 6 bedroom 1078 sq metres S/R 680,000