You are here: Forum > Living in the Middle East > Saudi Arabia > Riyadh > Everyday life > Moving to RIYADH

#1  2010-04-13 10:01:10

uglybetty
Active member
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-04-12
Posts: 73

Moving to RIYADH

Hi guys,
I am possibly moving to Riyadh within the next couple of months and Im so very anxious that I can not sleep at night worrying. I am origionally from the UK but have lived in Dubai for 2 and a half years. I am trying to do as much research as possibly but I know the reality wont hit me until I get there. Any help, advise on malls, shops, activites,locals and rules would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!




 
 
 

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#2  2010-04-13 10:31:34

TheLegendLeads
A SharpShooter
TheLegendLeads
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-04-06
Posts: 3062

Re: Moving to RIYADH

You are most welcome uglybetty. The guys in this blog are very helping and they can answer all your questions.

You have been living in Dubai, so I guess you already know well about the culture in Arab countries. However there are many differences in terms of activities, malls, rules etc.

For the malls, I like those in Dubai more; because of the multitude & variety of stuff. You'll not need to visit shops other than the ones in the Malls smile

The locals of Riyadh are generally not considered very good (no offense against anyone please). My 10 years experience with locals is 'just fine'. As a lady, be very cautious about hiring a taxi driven by a local.

Feel free to explore other posts in this site. There is lots of useful info out there.

In overall, this is a calm and placid city. Very good & secure place for families. You have to maintain some sort of social activities, or you'll get bored fast. smile




 
 
 

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." -- Dorothy Parker
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#3  2010-04-13 10:42:12

uglybetty
Active member
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-04-12
Posts: 73

Re: Moving to RIYADH

Thank you LegendLeads.
I have lived in Dubai and therefore understand the arab culture to the extent that any expat can understand but from what I have researched KSA is so much more strict, particularly for women. Are the authorities allowed into the compounds and do you get malls and pharmacies on the compounds? I think thats where I would stict to other than travelling to and from to airport. I hear there is also a requirment for exit visas as well as entry. Are these easy to obtain?




 
 
 

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#4  2010-04-13 11:49:28

SaudiUK
EB member +
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-03-17
Posts: 533

Re: Moving to RIYADH

Hi Betty,

Rules are stricter than Dubai.

When you venture out of the compound you must wear a black abaya.

Malls are nice and are family friendly, so you wont have any problems there. (malls are not on compounds - there is a small shop on the compound for everyday goods)

Traffic is chaos unlike Dubai.

You are right in that you do need an exit and re-entry visa everytime you leave Saudi, there is no problem in obtaining these. For most expats the employers sort these out.

What my wife found is that Saudi is lot more conservative than Dubai and there is little or no entertainment/leisure activity in Riyadh.

Percentage wise compared to locals, there are far less expats in Saudi than Dubai.

On the whole its not bad, we moved from the UK to Riyadh just over three months ago and are really enjoying the experience.

Welcome to Saudi!smile

Last edited by SaudiUK (2010-04-13 11:50:35)




 
 
 

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#5  2010-04-13 12:25:45

raghunandan1964
New member
From: Hyderabad
Registered: 2010-04-13
Posts: 1

Re: Moving to RIYADH

HI Everyone,
I am C.S.RAGHUNANDAN presently in Hyderabad - India planning to shift to Saudi - Riyadh in june / July. I got an offer in Company called JAVA TIMES and posting in RIYADH. I visited Jeddah in 2004 for some official work and found the city was quite good. But i never visited Riyadh Can any tell me the difference between both ? I also require more informat ion on company JAVA TIMES as i could not collect much on this.




 
 
 
 

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#6  2010-04-13 12:26:19

TheLegendLeads
A SharpShooter
TheLegendLeads
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-04-06
Posts: 3062

Re: Moving to RIYADH

No, the authorities don't enforce things in compounds like they do in the down town or other streets.

Almost all compounds have grocery stores and some good compounds even have pharmacies. But of course, no Malls inside compounds. Almost all sort of medicines are available in pharmacies with exception of alcohol based, tranquilizers and sleeping pills. (It doesn't mean you must bring them along big_smile )

Exit Rentry visas are required if you want to travel out of Saudi and they are easy to get. Your (or your husband's) company will get this issued.

(By the way, there is a service available now through which husbands can get exit re-entry visas for their wives right from their cell phones.)




 
 
 

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." -- Dorothy Parker
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#7  2010-04-14 09:59:20

shahab.ali
ViP
shahab.ali
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-03-14
Posts: 1076

Re: Moving to RIYADH

hey legend, thru cell phones? any more info u have on that?




 
 
 

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#8  2010-04-14 10:47:59

TheLegendLeads
A SharpShooter
TheLegendLeads
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-04-06
Posts: 3062

Re: Moving to RIYADH

The service name is 'Ishaar' and here is the link:

http://www1.elm.com.sa/Portal/En/Topics … eentry.htm

But please note that it is for dependants and not for employees.




 
 
 

"The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." -- Dorothy Parker
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#9  2010-04-14 11:11:52

shahab.ali
ViP
shahab.ali
From: Riyadh
Registered: 2010-03-14
Posts: 1076

Re: Moving to RIYADH

wow! u sure u received it??




 
 
 

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