Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Report of what it's like to live there - 09/28/14
Personal Experiences from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
6th, Europe and Middle East previously.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Washington DC.
3. How long have you lived here?
1 year.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Houses/duplexes. Reliable A/C. Government owned are in better shape than rented spaces. Mixed; some luck in what you get on your timing.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Good choice. Everything here, slightly more expensive. Riyadh is in the middle of the desert, so expensive. If you want luxury goods though (especially cars), you have LOTS of choice.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Most everything is available at Commissary. Salsa, almond butter, outdoor play equipment. Bicycles, musical instruments. Christmas/religious decor, any religious stuff that is not Muslim.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Every imaginable Western chain except for Red Robin.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Some ants in our houses, some mosquitos.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO. 10 days to the United States and back.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Widely available, US$6.67 rate per hour for Filipinos (their mafia rate).
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Embassy has a gym.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Like the U.S.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Ask when you arrive. Mormons take care of their own.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
If you speak English, you're good.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
On the grand scheme of things, this is probably not so bad if one consider all the much poorer places in the world.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Few trains, buses and taxis are not allowed by Embassy.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
SUVs are best. Gas is US$.25 a gallon, so don't worry about gas mileage. Lots of folks have bigger cars, so sometimes harder to see on the road unless you are higher up.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Embassy provides. Signal sometimes poor.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Not really unless you teach.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Helping do stuff within the Embassy community.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Standard.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
ISIS attracts a lot of Saudis. We get danger pay for a reason.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Embassy MED is good. Air quality is not great as it's the desert.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Dry, sand in the air. Not many sand storms but constant dust in the air.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Sandstorms are a problem sometimes.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Desert. Always dry except for a few rainstorms in winter.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Good choices. 6 schools are safe, 2 of which are close. The American School is a 20-minute commute. British/German/Japanese/French schools also a commute. My Little School close to DQ, and King Faisal School next to Embassy but they are both for smaller kids.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Little.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
USERA (community association) has one option; no part-time option. My Little School also has one but it's very expensive.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
USERA runs some, schools have some, and families run some.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large expat community, morale generally low. Not much to do, lack of entertainment, and travel is expensive. Material comforts are nice, but going to Bahrain frequently helps.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Most folks who drink will consume more here than in the States.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Families with kids do better because the schools are good. As usual, tougher for single women than single men. Couples do ok if both work.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
I wouldn't know. Embassy is supportive, society not so much.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Strict hierarchy. Saudi men on top in most situations, followed by white people, then other Arabs, with blacks on bottom. Women usually lower in each situation, though white women at the Embassy have access to Saudi women that men of course do not have in this highly religious society.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The dates taste really good, birthday parties at Prince/Princess palaces, other Embassy families. We get to know other expats on DQ. Weather is nice half the year.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Maidan Saleh, some limited tourist sites (no tourist infrastructure, so you can get up close to stuff for cheap, but don't expect any guides).
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Carpets, dates.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Saving money, lots of family time at home, close Embassy community (everyone on DQ, so everyone close by). If you are a Muslim, special opportunities for Hajj/Umrah.
10. Can you save money?
Yes, if you don't travel too much.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Not much to do. Motor pool a constant morale issue. Hard to sponsor drivers after the recent crackdown.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
No one really has a choice who comes here. It's an important country, but never on top on anyone's list.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Dog. Not a great life here.
4. But don't forget your:
Entertainment/games for hours at home.
5. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
The Kingdom: Arabia & The House of Sa'ud
(old but good).
The Islamic Dress Code
