Job Discussion Forums

[Lost Avon Lady]

I apologise if this thread has been discussed before (no doubt it has) but I was hoping a few expats could offer some advice or suggest a site or two where I could access the information.

I am looking at accepting a job offer in Jeddah Saudi Arabia, however, accommodation isn't part of the deal. I've had various family and friends who have lived out there, and all underline the need to live on a compound. I asked my employer about the average cost of such a place, however, they've yet to get back to me. Rather than sit back and wait I thought I would look myself.

*On average how much would an apartment in a compound set me back? Hopefully, just the simple one bedroom furnished pack. I looked at another site and they marked something between 2000-6000.

*What other options are available? And how likely will it be that my employer with help me to find decent and reasonable price place.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[Cleopatra]

[cmp45]

As a single person, I think it is difficult to find housing on your own -period.

Most apartment buildings seem to favor married couples.
As a single male teacher we have apartments supplied by our employer in a building only for single men- specifically that work at our college.
No women allowed.

So as a single women looking for an apartment on your own with out help from your employer seems like a daunting task.

Perhaps in Jeddah it is more relaxed than Riyadh, but it is still KSA and think that it will be difficult to find an apartment...unless it is strictly for single females or perhaps they allow single females in with married family apartment buildings? It seems that unlikely you will find apartments that house single men and single women in same building

Perhaps Cleo can elaborate as she may know more about it...so...Cleo did you find your own apartment or did your employer provide/ help you find your flat? Is it in an all female building or is it mixed ???

The rules for housing can be quite unique/ complex in this country...many factors to consider if you have to find your own place...cost/ location/ furnished unfurnished/ type of building/ compound or no compound.

I would try again to illicit help from your employer or try to get some of the expats working at your place of work to guide you.
Have to say it is much easier if the employer already has accomodation set for you...However, downside to that may not be what you want-like, but certainly less hassles.

[Cleopatra]

[battleshipb_b]

It really depends where you live. Riyadh tends be much more rigid about segregation rules for staff. Jeddah is more easy-going as is Dammam.
Compound living can be very sterile but at least you usually have facilities like a pool and tennis courts. Some of the apartment complexes are badly maintained ghettoes.

[trapezius]

This is what I said about compounds in a thread 2 years ago.

[sheikh radlinrol]

[Mia Xanthi]

As others have said, it is a very personal choice. Some people find compounds claustrophobic and feel that they are trapped in some sort of Western expat/middle America suburban gulag (or British, for that matter). Others feel that an apartment gives a female no chance to go outside freely. Myself, I would have hated living in an apartment here. I need to be able to go outside in jeans and a t-shirt once in a while, and I find the social possibilities of the compound to be very agreeable to my lifestyle. Others who need more privacy or a feeling of being "really" in Saudi Arabia should obviously choose an apartment.

Good luck to you making your decision.

[Never Ceased To Be Amazed]

Yeah, good luck! I support compound living. I lived a year "on the economy" and developed "Compound-interest" after being invited to visit by one of my wife's friends. Remember this tho, with all that "humanity" trapped inside those walls, they can also be considered bomber magnets.

Two of mine were...

NCTBA