Housing in Saudi Arabia
Renting is the only way an expat can get a house in Saudi Arabia and as with other towns, Riyadh has its fair share of compounds. This is not to say you can’t find accommodation outside compounds. Far from it – there are many apartments available at reasonable rates, furnished or otherwise, some even have a pool. These however are really only to be considered by dedicated bachelors, as your family will not thank you for the wrong decision. They can be sought mostly in the Arabic press, so get a translator at work to find one for you and can be had for as little as 15,000SR per year unfurnished. Compounds range in size and facilities, but as a rough guide a 2 bedroom villa can be rented for 45,000SR – 55,000SR if you shop around and become more expensive depending on location and facilities. Also check how your accommodation allowance will be paid, as many compounds expect a year’s rent paid in advance, whilst some will accept 6 monthly payments, and only a few will take monthly payments, often at a premium i.e. 55,000SR will quickly become 70,000SR if paid monthly.
