Finding Accomodation in Riyadh
by toni28
These are for expats who are looking for their accommodation when they plan to work here in Riyadh.
Housing is one of the good benefits of Saudi Arabia when you were hired by any company or establishment. Some company has their own accommodation for their employees and some companies would give housing allowance at 3 to 4 times of your salary then you are the one who will manage and find where do you want to stay either flat ( apartment ) or villa ( house ) inside a compound or not.
In our experience, housing was our first concern. We tried to look for a compound where the rental fee ranges from 40K( 2 bedrooms only ) to 100K( 3 to 4 bed rooms ) riyals per year (choices of 1 to 4 bed rooms semi furnished to fully furnished type with complete facilities like swimming pool, groceries store, sports facilities, spa and lots more). Some advantages of a compound are you have a little bit freedom by not wearing an abbaya inside the compound and you can have more flexible social activities with your friends depending on what facilities the compound has.
My husband also tried to find for a flat or villa outside a compound which has a big difference in rental fee compared to the compound rental fee. The difference ranges from 8 to 10K for a 2 bedrooms unfurnished flat or villa, and around 20 to 30K difference for an unfurnished flat or villa.
We preferred big space for our children, thus, we decided to rent a 3 storey 5 bed room Villa outside compound.
Riyadh's Emergency Numbers
by Dthey
I have not tried any of these numbers but I hope this serves useful on urgent situations.
Emergency --->993
Ambulance --->997
Fire --->998
Police --->999
International Operator --->901
International Directory --->900
Directory Assistance --->905
Riyadh Tip
by S_J_Miller
Masmakh Fortress
The fort built of dried mud, is open Saturday to Wednesday from 7.30am to 1.30pm. A permit is required which can be obtained from the museum.
This is the fortress which Abdul Aziz and his followers captured in 1902 and which begins the history of present-day Saudi Arabia. There is a well restored traditional majlis on the ground floor. The courtyard contains a well, which is still functional. The courtyard is surrounded by six painted doors which open into empty rooms. On the upper level, there are amazingly carved walls and three columns which support the wooden roof.
Riyadh men's greeting...
by Manyana
is to touch nose of your guest by your nose two or three times. This represents the highness and proud dignity. If you want to insult someone, just show pity for their nose.
This greeting can be seen on TV when the princes receive their guests, and among ministers.
Shopping Mall instruction! Welcome to Saudi Arabia
by anees
Execpt for Several main shopping centers, most of them just allow families to come in, especially in weekends.
I found it annoying to see some young kids banned to enter, as I haven't face any problem with that, seems I look well-mannered to be allowed comming in.
You will find more openness in Jeddah and Al Kobar in term of having female shoppers not wearing head scarfs.
(From The Millennium Adventure Home Page -http://www.jimrogers.com/ - I found this and I wanted to Share with you)
20 November 2000 – Shopping in Saudi Arabia is a vastly different experience. No women work in any of the shopping centers – not at the cosmetics counters, shoe section or lingerie area – except for a few non-Saudi nationals working as cleaning women in the female toilets.
And there are a handful of ‘female-only’ shopping malls where all the workers are women, but again these are rare. So far in all the shops I've visited, I have met only one employee out of scores who actually knew anything about what he was selling.
Most of the male workers appear bored – perhaps since few customers exist, or else enamored with one another carrying on and laughing, instead of helping potential buyers or even taking money from eager customers.
But even more frustrating is there are no fitting rooms! No fitting rooms. Of course this makes perfect sense according to Sharia Law, as the male employees working in the shops cannot intermingle with women trying on clothes.
I asked a worker at Zara International where I should try on my potential buys and he said, “You must buy the things, take them home and return anything you do not want within the next three days.”
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Rania and Baba enjoying the zoo
..Filipino hang out in BATHA..
Surf and Turf
Hot and Chilling, I Snapped
