Moving to Riyadh

Hi Ashcroft,

I've just moved to Riyadh myself and can only give a few tips on some good restaurants so far! Also, I know a couple of good golf courses through friends - but it may be a tad too hot to even contemplate.  There are a number of embassy events that take place, however it seems everything Social is slowing done due to summer.

Good luck with your move.  It’ll be my first summer and ramadan here too, so keep in touch and let us know your experiences!

Ashcroft

Welcome to the Forum!  Read through this forum carefully as there is tons of info on living and working here in KSA.  The bottom-line essentials are to obtain adequate housing (and housing allowance) identified before you arrive, if bringing the family, be sure to have adequate allowances for school tuition, transportation, healthcare, a driver if you can get it, be satisfied with the salary and open minded about the culture and ready for adventure.  Then bring all the patience and personality you can muster, bc you'll need every bit of it! 

Be sure to participate on the forum - you'll gain a lot from the locals, have some fun and meet some wonderful people too! 

Keep us posted on your status.

Regards,

If you are going to live on a compound, start searching early. Long waiting lists everywhere

and if you arrive here in August, it will be Ramadan. If you land during the day, dont think of lighting up a fag after your flight or gulp down a water bottle - no eating drinking in public

hey ashcroft..Welcome to the community..

Well there are no particular advises but summers are really hot n dry here

Thanks guys.  Maybe you guys can tell me if these are decent amounts for housing and such.

Housing allowance $2,200 USD
Transportation $215
Education $667

Is that enough?  To little?

Thanks

Ashcroft

Housing - Depends!  Are you bringing family?  If so , do you plan to live on a compound?  If so, then I would tell you that you need to plan for btw 200-400K+ SAR (4 - 8K USD mo) annually for a 2/3/4bdrm villa, depending on your life style.  Housing is not cheap here.

Transportation - Depends!  Is that to purchase a vehicle or to use towards a driver.  If its the latter, then it could be since the cost for a driver is about 24,000-36,000+SAR annually (530 - 800+ USD per mo).  If your purchasing a car, the cost goes up exponentially.  Buying a used car can be dicey unless you buy from another expat or someone you trust...  New cars are a tad more here due to the import taxes, etc.

Education - Depends!  If you have a toddler and are considering pre-school, that allowance may work.  But if you are considering the American International School (AISR.org), tuition goes from 21,500 - 66,900SAR (5,700 - 17,800USD) (Pre-K to 12th grade) per year.  And there is a chance that your kids wont get in, depending on the grade and class size.  Its best to speak with the Registrar for the 2011-2012 school year  before you decide to sign your contract.

So having said that, if you can live with those allowances, then by all means, take the package and make the move.  If on the other hand the allowances don't fit your budget, then you have some negotiations to consider and decisions to make...

Best of luck!