Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Report of what it's like to live there - 11/09/15
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?
Yes
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?
Ohio. 16-20 hours depending on airports/connections.
3. How long have you lived here?
April, 2011
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Government/military healthcare provider
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Compound life. I was able to move into a brand new 2 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath villa with large sala and dining room, pantry, and laundry room. Very nice private compound rented out by MoNGHA for us.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Used to be very cheap, but now prices are going up.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Things that I can't find here. But many things that I couldn't find back then are appearing more often now.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Most western franchises are here, but the food does taste different. Cost is cheap.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Flies and mosquitoes when the weather cools. We have termites and roaches in our villas. And lots of little lizards.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Through work.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Yes. I don't know.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, on our compound. More opening up on the outside now.
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?
No issues. I like the fact that I receive a text message letting me know how much I spent within fifteen minutes after the sale, and after using the ATM machine.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
None. It's a Muslim country. Other religions are illegal.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
A bit helps. Many here speak English, and like to prove it.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes, the majority of places are not accessible.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Some. We use hospital-based taxis. Outside taxis not so much. Language barriers, and pricing based on nationality.
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?
Mostly Toyotas-Hi-lux 4WD pick ups and SUV's for going into the desert.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
High-speed? Um, yeah, right. Cost is a bit high nowadays for what we get.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Get one here. They are unlocked, and prices are fair.
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?
I think so.
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?
Yes. All over the place.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Unknown
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Work is standard uniforms for your occupation. Outside, women have to wear abayas, and sometimes get told to cover their hair. Guys, no shorts above the knees. No loud shirts featuring alcohol, or rock bands. Very conservative here.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
We have SANG security around our compound 24/7 armed with PDW's and SMG's. At night we sometimes get treated to automatic weapons fire in the distance with colorful tracers arcing up.
Outside, it's like being in any big city back home. Just be alert, and keep your head on swivel.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Yes. TB, MERS, Hep B/C, and others.
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?
Fair to poor. Worse in summer with dust storms. The fuel is not as refined here so that exhaust is a lot worse. Pinkish-brown skies from the dust and pollution cutting visibility in half.
It's clearer in the winter when it rains.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
The dust storms will trigger asthma attacks easily. Food, lots of spices used that someone may not have been exposed to before.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and dry in the summer. Temps exceeding 110+F regularly. Humidity in the low teens to single digits in summer. Better in the winter after the rain.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
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?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
In some places.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Large. Morale depends on where you work, and for who.
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?
Not much. No movies, concerts, shows. Usually embassy parties and compound parties.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Singles yes.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
The way society is set up here, it is ideal for them. Many of my coworkers are gay/lesbians.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
There is only one religion here-Islam.
Everything is based on your passport. Westerners are at the top. Asians, and SW Asians much farther down. The lower you are on the totem pole, the worse the Saudis treat you.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Comparing how poor people live back home with the way real poor people live here. Experiencing life under a government sponsored religion. Seeing how the US is perceived from many different points of view.
Meeting my wife here.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
If you like shopping, this is the place, malls are everywhere. There are some sites to visit. Red Sands, The End of the World. Camping in the desert if you want.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Tourist items, foods.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Not many. No snow. Tax-free income.
10. Can you save money?
Yes. Very much so if you stay out of the malls.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
How ignorant the people can be. No "three foot personal zones" here. They like to line jump all the time. They drive wherever they want, however they want. And fast.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Once, yes. Again, probably not.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Alcohol, pork, guns, pornography, etc. It's a strict Muslim country.
4. But don't forget your:
Sunblock, allergy medication, and membership with a medivac company to get you home for quality medical treatment.
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
Don't watch "The Kingdom" until after you finally leave here.
6. Do you have any other comments?
With the death of the King in January, things are getting a lot tighter now. Especially because of the war "down south" in Yemen, and the rise of DAESH (ISIS, ISIL).
There have been more random attacks on western males with the military look about them. The government is now reporting on more raids in the media about terrorists. Rumors of isolated bomb blasts in places.
Honestly, the country is like the little red cork center on a dart board when it comes to location for Middle East violence. It hits all around them, so far, but not here yet, really.
