Fateha

Hello there,

As recently qualified TEFL teachers, my husband and I are looking to work in Riyadh or Jeddah. We've been offered jobs in either city with the same company, but just really unsure which city to choose...

We were wondering if anyone has any pros and cons of living/working in either city and what there is to see/do? I am 29 year old and my husband is going to be 30 later on in the year. We like going out and about and seeing different places. We're not that into shopping. We're aiming to be in Saudi for the start of the academic year in September.

We are aware of some of the culture, being Muslims, and have already visited the country previously so kind of know about shops shutting at prayer times, covering up, etc.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated! We are in two minds!

Many thanks in advance,
Fateha

FriendlyExpat

Jeddah is more relaxed than Riyadh and by the sea. Riyadh has better weather (hotter but less humid). Neither place is that great for a family to live to be honest. If you come to Riyadh as a woman make sure you get the company to arrange a house on a decent compound. Obviously you can't drive here as a woman and in Riyadh you will be limited to indoor restaurants mostly (not sure if that's true in Jeddah).

Beakersful

It's a high probability that everyone in Riyadh offered a chance to work in Jeddah would jump at the chance. Unless you were more inclined to be in Dammam (or locality) to be closer to Bahrain.

flares

Really...why?

nonthaburi

Someone earlier made the point about the weather / humidity and that is a fair point . Even at 40+ degrees in Riyadh I don't find myself sweating that much walking out and about and it's bearable . With high humidity that wouldn't be the case . The winter in Riyadh is quite pleasant too . Guess it depends what kind of person you are and what you like doing also .

Beakersful

Well, that's quite an unusual question. I don't know any westerner I work with that wouldn't jump at the chance of relocating to Jeddah, unless of course they prefer to be within easy travelling distance of Bahrain (or even Abu Dabi or Dubai) by moving to Dammam, Al Khobar or Jabail instead.

Edit: I find myself repeating myself. Maybe I'm stating the obvious and am confused by your response here. The choice between working in these two areas is not decided on the flip of a coin.

scot47

Jeddah is much more relaxed - and, for Muslims only an hour away from the Grand Mosque in Mecca.

flares

I cover both and Riyadh for me is a much better base. Embassies/DQ, nice compounds (expensive though), couple of decent golf courses, good number of expats - more than Jeddah, and clubs RGBB, RRR, Riyadh Wheelers, desert camps, white parties, Salwa, rugby club etc. Getting easier to move around the place too now airport tunnel and King Abdullah open.

OK it's missing the Red Sea (I was in a Red Sea Beach Club in Jordan 10km from border a few weeks back and that was very pleasant indeed) and Corniche and closeness to Mecca if that's your bag (as could be the OPs).

and it is closer to UAE so flying between the two easier.

Beakersful

Op and husband are TESOL instructors though. Their wages and housing allowance will keep them away from the high life. Where affordable activities are concerned, I don't rate here as compared to other offerings across the kingdom. Based on their religion, locality can also come in as a decider. Be here for the core of strictness, or go where it's more liberal, yet closer to Mecca/Medina.

nonthaburi

what about the weather ?

flares

I agree for the OP but for most Western expats Riyadh is better imo.

My Sunni Lebo colleague rates Jeddah over Riyadh.

Beakersful

Everything I've been told about lifestyle in Jeddah by my co-workers must be lies then. A lot of people lie out here, I guess this must be one of those occasions too.

You're making it sound like planning a foreign holiday now Well, it won't be cold, grey and raining often like up North. (Although technically it's not been like that for a few years now due to global warming, etc)

flares

Are they not just opinions?

nonthaburi

Life is one long holiday.....

scot47

Jeddah is very humid in summer but from October vto March is very pleasant. After the heavy rains that you get in winter, the streets will be flooded - s they are every year.

The Hejazis are much nicer to deal with than the Nejdis !