Riyadh has an array of housing options to suit all manner of budgets and types of home-seeker. For the most part, expat employers will provide (or at least suggest) suitable lodgings on your behalf meaning the likelihood of you actually having to find your own gaff should be limited.
In most cases, it will be suggested that you and yours live in a compound, preferably not too far from the office. For those of you starting your new Saudi adventure solo, the options can be far greater and you might not be restricted to the bubbles found within such gated communities.
Above all, make sure your employer makes clear what the set-up is. If they’re providing you with accommodation (or giving you a housing allowance to help you find your own) then that’s a clear bonus. In all other cases, make sure you shop around and find a new home that not only suits your purposes but also fits within your budget.
Compounds
Most major companies bringing in foreign talent to fill their vacancies will invariably prefer you to live in a compound. Compounds in Riyadh offer a home from home for those workers who enjoy a sense of familiarity in their day-to-day life. Restaurants, cafés, sports or social clubs and even cinemas – you can find them all within the secured walls of your new community.
Arguably the most popular among these (for expats at least) are Al Hamza, Arabian Homes, Arizona, Cordoba, Fal and Granada. Each has a unique identity and array of amenities, along with a social calendar full of events that will ensure you never truly feel like a duck out of water.
As for how much it will cost you to live in a Riyadh compound, rents cost anything between SAR50,000 and SAR500,000 a year. Clearly that depends on the size of your family or choice of lodgings, though.
Private apartments or villas
Compound living clearly can’t be for everyone, a fact that’s especially evident considering how quickly dwellings in one can be snapped up. If you’re willing to think outside the box a little and are more inclined to reject the ‘norm’ then we’d gladly recommend you finding your own digs within Riyadh.
Doing so can offer many rewards, including the chance to live in the quite stunning Kingdom Tower or in Al Olaya with its remarkable restaurants and buzzing nightlife. Again, properties in such places are highly desirable and won’t be on the market that long. Don’t be scared to drive around Riyadh to find a place that really ticks all the boxes. There are many districts that have an amazing amount to offer, along with the sense of immersion that won’t come within a compound. The rents can be considerably cheaper, too, with good-sized apartments available for about SAR30,000 a year.
Where to find your new home
For those of you not already hooked up with lodgings by your employer, there are several websites that can help take the brainwork out of finding your des-res. Of those, Bayut seems to have the widest choice whether you’re a singleton seeking a studio or a family trying to find a place big enough to house your gregarious gang. Another good option is PropertyFinder.
Top tip
Before you sign a contract on your new abode, make sure you find out exactly what you’re paying for. This might sound obvious but it’s always great to clarify whether or not utilities are included in the price, if you have a designated parking spot (plus a car park for visitors) and how much security and property management is on offer.
Remember, you will most likely be paying six months to a year’s worth of rent in advance so the fewer hidden surprises, the better. Oh, and make sure the air-con is fully functioning – neither summer nor winter in Riyadh would be the same without it…
