Moving to Riyadh with large family - accommodation questions

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A few things:

1) For Compounds in Saudi, you have to call them to check availability and prices.  Hardly any would have current prices online

2) You need to first see where your work place is and then look at compounds near or relatively near it (overlay with schools).  Riyadh traffic is absolutely horrific and unless you want to spend an hour each way just covering 10-15 km, you would check this first.  The answer to the area question is determined by that

3) Average rentals in compounds (depends on compound and there is a big variance) for a villa can range anywhere from 200-500K annually.  There is no point asking people what they are paying because the rental is different for a new tenant.  For example, a friend pays 200K for a 4 bed in vives and has been there 4 years..........new tenants pay 250-260k

4) Generally in a compound, utilities are included and so is maintenance.  Extra costs would vary by compound e.g. in mine, they charge for cleaning if you use their service and internet, if you get it through them

5) The overwhelming majority of people buy a car.  You either have 5 seaters or 7 seaters.  Lease works out to be more expensive and only go for it if you are here short term i.e. 1-2 years

For a western family with teenage kids, I would not advise living off compound.  Not because of safety and security but kids would be bored, mobility would be limited and language barrier will make things an issue.