Insider Tips: Riyadh for Expats

Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expatriates.  As the country continues to pursue its bold Saudi Vision 2030, more and more investment is being made into its growth, both domestically and via foreign entities.  With such rapid development, the job market is expanding exponentially and there are plenty of opportunities for international talent to find an exciting role within the Kingdom’s borders.  One of the top locations for incoming residents is the capital Riyadh and so we wanted to take a look at what relocation to this dynamic city is like.  Here is our insider guide to Riyadh for expats.

An Evolving Destination

Riyadh is a city, and an environment, in flux.  Its rejuvenating facets are somewhat unsurprising given the city’s increasingly elevated global reputation.  Thanks to the country’s commitment to innovation and growth, the city and its surrounding environment is alive with activity and development.  Many of the pioneering Vision 2030 projects are located in and around Riyadh, which is a huge driver for jobs, tourism, the economy and entertainment.  With this level of expansion, it is no wonder that more roles are being offered to international professionals and that more companies are looking to capitalise on the opportunities emerging in Riyadh and the wider Saudi market.

Family Friendly Living

Previously, many expatriates who were offered roles in Saudi opted to commute in and out of the country.  Today, the environment of places like Riyadh is far more diverse and family-friendly, which is opening up more opportunities for workers who would prefer to relocate with their dependents.  Although the city, and the country, is still a work in progress in terms of societal growth, it is already far more advanced than it was before in terms of its approach to western customs.  This is especially true in regard to women.  Working, socialising and, of course, driving are now the norm within the Kingdom and these increased freedoms will make it much more appealing for couples who are interested in relocating to Riyadh.  Those with kids will also find many aspects to life in Riyadh that could change the way you approach a job offer from KSA.  As well as the vibrant and inclusive atmosphere of the various residential compounds, which offer fantastic safety and security, the city has many excellent schools for children of all ages.  Residents will also find it easy to engage affordable household assistance, from qualified nannies to housekeepers, cleaning staff to a driver.

Exploring the City

One of the other benefits to relocating with your family is the increasing number of fun, family-friendly activities there are in Riyadh for expats and residents to enjoy.  There are also plenty of places and leisure outlets in the city that might surprise you.  Here are some of our top tips on what to check out in Riyadh…

Love your coffee?  Start your morning off at Pandemic Coffee, a 24 hour venue that takes caffeine very seriously.  They have an amazing selection of iced coffees (as well as other flavours for non-coffee drinkers) and a delicious menu with some great brunch style items that are perfect for the weekend.

Looking for some heritage?  Diriyah is situated just on the outskirts of Riyadh and is generally considered to be the birthplace of the Saudi Royal Family.  It is home to an amazing array of sights, heritage and restaurants, so make a day of it! It is also one of Saudi’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

Craving kabsa? If you would like to try Saudi’s national dish then you won’t want to skip a trip to Dr Kabsa with its plentiful portions.  Their house specialty is a mammoth fish kabsa, which needs two people just to carry it to your table.

Keen for some culture? Dive into the history of the Kingdom at the National Museum of Saudi Arabia.  It is packed full of features for all ages including rock carvings, prehistoric animals and a recreation of the Tuwaiq mountain range.

Time for a Game Night? Bring out your competitive side with an evening at Bob’s Famous Bowling. As well as aiming for that perfect strike, they have a series of other games the whole family will love.

There are also so many great restaurants, outings and entertainment locations to explore as well as VIA Riyadh next to the Diplomatic Quarter and Riyadh Boulevard City, which was a big hit with Leo Messi and his family!

If you would like to find out more about Riyadh for expats or how EER can help you with your Riyadh relocation needs, please get in touch today on info@eerme.com or +971 (0)4 421 1819.