diplomatic quarter vs al-ghadir area

Diplomatic Area is secured area where almost all embassies in Riyadh are situated. There are residential areas inside as well. The rents are very high . Let someone else give a better idea.

Al-Ghadir is a private commercial area in North Riyadh and many europeans and westerners live there. It's an open residential area and rents are comparatively less than the DQ mentioned above. What type of accomo has your employer offered here; inside some compound or an independent villa?

The life inside a compound is usually more social.

Hi New arrival,I been in Riyadh for two months and I checked out the rent in the diplomatic area its very expensive for two bedrooms they were asking about SR 55000/ year,its nice and clean but too expensive,it depends on how much is your employer paying you for housing allowance,I agree with "The Legend Lead",in a compound is more socially entertaining. If you want to check out  The Delmon Hotel near the Diplomatic area and there are a lot of western staying there on a regular bases ,the rent is SR 300 per day all furnished, room services, breakfast,internet,and cable all provided.I stayed there for 3 weeks,its not bad.I don't know anything about al-ghadir area.Good luck and welcome to the exciting city of Riyadh.

SR 55000/year is much cheaper than the compounds' rent And if your employer is offering a compound, do make sure he doesn't put you in a long waiting queue.

Btw, if your duration won't be long, @faysg has presented a good idea. You may go for a nice cozy furnished apartment.

Hi there, thanks for your input, I'm not sure what my employer has offered me, i.e., compound or an independent villa!

They've just mentioned these two areas (depends on the availability), the alternative option (accommodation compensation) won't get me in a compound I believe! So I guess it's better to go with DQ as a first option, then al-ghadir area as a second option, leaving accommodation compensation as a third option!

What do you think of that?


Thanks

Hi new comer,my advise to you ,accommodation compensation should be the least on your priority list because renting outside these areas(DQ & al-ghadir) sucks and very hard to live any were in Riyadh,I tried accommodation compensation but after one month of searching for a neat and clean place i gave up,I end up staying at the hospital Guest house because my employer refused to pay the difference of my rent,any compound will cost more then SR 60000 per year.

mikesharp wrote:

So I guess it's better to go with DQ as a first option, then al-ghadir area as a second option, leaving accommodation compensation as a third option!

What do you think of that?

You can say that again, I agree!

TheLegendLeads wrote:

mikesharp wrote:

So I guess it's better to go with DQ as a first option, then al-ghadir area as a second option, leaving accommodation compensation as a third option!

What do you think of that?

You can say that again, I agree!

Well wait a minute .. it depends on where he lives.  These places are on opposite ends of the city.  If he lives in the DQ and works far NW, he could be stuck in the long commutes during rush hour.

Alliecat wrote:

Well wait a minute .. it depends on where he lives.  These places are on opposite ends of the city.  If he lives in the DQ and works far NW, he could be stuck in the long commutes during rush hour.

Valid Question! Any idea about office location @mikesharp?

oops.. meant NE !

Hi guys, thanks for your input, I'm not sure the exact location but it looks to me it is in north of Riyadh.

I've just got an email from the employer mentioning that I might not be able to take any offered accommodation in these two areas (if my visa application is being delayed).

I'm wondering about the rent in these two areas or any equivalent areas near up north!

thanks
M