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DirtGuy
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529
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 Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 10:18 pm Post subject: Finding a roommate in Riyadh |
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It looks like I finally have a position and I neither want to live in the offered compound not do I want to have my own apartment. Is it possible/common/likely to find someone with a room in a house or apartment to rent? Would this likely be with another expat or with a Saudi family?
As an alterntive to the above, are there very small efficiency units that can be rented for occupancy by just one person?
How do I track down either of these options?
Thanks.
DirtGuy |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:52 am Post subject: Re: Finding a roommate in Riyadh |
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| You definitely won't be able to share housing with a Saudi family. In fact, your personal interactions with Saudis will pretty much be limited to those at your place of work. However, splitting costs with a roomie would be feasible. If you do an Internet search on expat housing Riyadh, you'll find sites about apartment renting and sharing as well as some with ads. But best to wait until you arrive in country to see your actual options. |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 10:34 am Post subject: |
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You may also check out ... www.expatriates.com under Saudi Arabia
there is a section for rental accomodation...lots of rooms to let...however all or if not most are sharing with South Asians. Pakistanis, Egyptians, etc.
It may be worth alook...you might find something there. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Cmp45 is correct. A lot of the room rentals advertised are posted by non-westerners, and many of those ads state the renter must be a specific nationality. But if you wait until you arrive in KSA, I'm sure you'll find other male teachers looking for a similar housing arrangement or a studio/efficiency type unit. You guys could pool your info and resources so that you're not checking out potential accommodations on your own. Also, the company you signed up with should be able to help out with your housing needs or at least point you in the right direction.
BTW, why don't you want to stay in the company-provided compound housing? |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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| BTW, why don't you want to stay in the company-provided compound housing? |
Personal predilections? Hmmm?
It's a "mystery" alright! |
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DirtGuy
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the tips. I did some poking around and I think what I want is out there. I'll take the company housing for a while and then start looking.
Why not just stay in the provided housing you ask? I usually enjoy my co-workers but not 24/7. Living and working with the same people sounds a little too incestuous for my liking. Besides, I've had roommates for years and in addition to the money savings, I've learned things and had experiences I never would have otherwise had. Most have been good, others not so much, but worth it on the whole.
DirtGuy |
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It's Scary!
Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Posts: 823
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I sense a train wreck about to happen! A logical person moving to the Kingdom?
Whoa, Nellie!
It's like what my wife used to say, "They don't used 'common sense' here", to which I'd reply, "You can't expect 'common sense' where 'sense' is uncommon"! |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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| DirtGuy wrote: |
Why not just stay in the provided housing you ask? I usually enjoy my co-workers but not 24/7. Living and working with the same people sounds a little too incestuous for my liking. Besides, I've had roommates for years and in addition to the money savings, I've learned things and had experiences I never would have otherwise had. Most have been good, others not so much, but worth it on the whole.
DirtGuy |
Ah, I didn't know it was a shared situation, DirtGuy. Is the company giving you the option of a housing allowance, or will you have to pay out of your own pocket for alternative accommodation? |
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DirtGuy
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529
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| Posted: Sun Jan 15, 2012 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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The recruiter is telling me to live in the provided housing with all the other teachers for the first month and then look for a place. They give me a housing allowance if I move out that should be enough to rent a room based on what I've seen on other sites.
As for logic, I get the idea that not too much works in a logical manner where I'm going but logic also dictates that it's better to work in KSA than to declare bankruptcy in the US. After a year, I'll have everything paid off and then it's time to reevaluate.
DirtGuy |
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battleshipb_b
Joined: 14 Dec 2006
Posts: 189
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| Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2012 8:26 am Post subject: |
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| DirtGuy wrote: |
Thanks for the tips. I did some poking around and I think what I want is out there. I'll take the company housing for a while and then start looking.
Why not just stay in the provided housing you ask? I usually enjoy my co-workers but not 24/7. Living and working with the same people sounds a little too incestuous for my liking. Besides, I've had roommates for years and in addition to the money savings, I've learned things and had experiences I never would have otherwise had. Most have been good, others not so much, but worth it on the whole.
DirtGuy |
I agree - compound living can be really bad news if you have to work and live with the same people. If you get a housing allowance, maybe you can move out. But beware of the pitfalls of rented accomodation. Make sure you sign a lease. Make sure you get it translated. Make sure your rent is fixed for the stipulated time and all the furniture/furnishings are there before you move it. If you rent an unfurnished place, you may have to pay out a lot of money for appliances, etc. Be careful. There are unscrupulous middlemen who rent out. Also if you want to share, be wary. There are a lot of scammers around. One of my friends rented a room to a guy who did not pay rent for almost a year. When he finally made a big stink, the guy disappeared and absconded from his 'job'. It turned out he didn't have a 'job' or at least not a normal one. |
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AnneCO
Joined: 11 Feb 2012
Posts: 53
Location: US
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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| I look forward to hearing how it goes. Please do give us an update |
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DirtGuy
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Posts: 529
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 2:53 am Post subject: |
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Sorry, it's not going to happen in Riyadh but it could happen in Jeddah. My visa application is underway so I'll be over there _______________. I will be looking for a roommate situation and will let everyone know how things turn out. I think this is a good topic for people to know more about.
DirtGuy |
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EnglishDoYouSpeakIt
Joined: 19 May 2009
Posts: 151
Location: Saudi Arabia
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Finding a roommate in Riyadh |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| You definitely won't be able to share housing with a Saudi family. In fact, your personal interactions with Saudis will pretty much be limited to those at your place of work. |
More incorrect negativity! While you won't be living with a Saudi, it is very likely that many will invite you into their homes for tea and/or coffee, take you to restaurants, or to go see camel ranches and various other things. I can only imagine how poor a persons disposition must be to scare off Saudi hospitality! |
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cmp45
Joined: 17 Aug 2004
Posts: 1475
Location: KSA
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:28 am Post subject: |
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I have to agree with EDYSI on this one...while the chances of living with a Saudi family are remote, you may very well be invited to their home and on outings. Generally speaking Saudis will only invite westerners they like (makes sense huh)...so if you don't get any invites....it could be due to your unfriendly personality?
I have been invited numerous times on picnics and to restaurants as well as to a few Saudi homes, most were quite formal affairs and tended to be rather exhausting... forever having to be careful about what you say and do so as not to offend. After having attended a number of such gatherings ...I just made up excuses for not being able to go...I find most of these functions too formal and uncomfortable for my liking. I do not regret going, but I have yet to attend any that were of a more relaxed easy going nature. However, that doesn't mean that it is like that for all westerners or all Saudis.  just my experience.
Last edited by cmp45 on Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:53 am; edited 1 time in total |
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scot47
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 15343
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| Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 10:45 am Post subject: |
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| Living with a Saudi family is a complete no-no. Culturally totally unacceptable from the Saudi perspective. |
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