Job Discussion Forums

[jonathan1001]

Greetings All

From a ESL teaching site I found a cost of living guide for Riyadh, KSA. Unfortunately there is not indication when it was written.

I was wondering how accurate and up to date is this guide? More than anything I am interested if the accommodation is a realistic guide.

PM if you want the website as I won't post it here as the moderators may remove it.

Cheers

Jonathan


International City Cost Guide
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

SAR USD GBP EUR
[color=black]Accommodation
Furnished 2 bedroom house in good area - monthly rent SAR 1,500.00 $399.95 �210.85 �312.40
Unfurnished 2 bedroom house in good area - monthly rent SAR 1,000.00 $266.63 �140.57 �208.27
Room in shared apartment in good area - monthly rent SAR 800.00 $213.30 �112.45 �166.61
2/3 star hotel - 1 night stay SAR 150.00 $39.99 �21.09 �31.24

Food and Drink
Milk 1ltr./2.11pints SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Butter 500gr./1.10lbs. SAR 7.00 $1.87 �0.98 �1.46
Plain yoghurt 180gr./6.35oz. SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Cheese 500gr./1.10lbs. SAR 6.00 $1.60 �0.84 �1.25
Eggs 12 (large) SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Bread (white loaf) 1 kg./2.20lbs. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Bread Whole (wheat loaf)1 kg./2.20lbs. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Rice (long grain) 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Spaghetti 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Sugar (white) 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 2.50 $0.67 �0.35 �0.52
Flour (white) 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Cornflakes (packet) 375gr./13.23oz. SAR 6.00 $1.60 �0.84 �1.25
Coffee (instant) 125gr./4.41oz. SAR 8.00 $2.13 �1.12 �1.67
Tea bags (pack 25) SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Coca Cola 1lt./2.11pints SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Mineral water (still) 1lt./2.11pints SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Mineral water (sparkling) 1lt/2.11pints SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Orange juice 1lt./2.11pints SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Margarine 500gr./1.10lbs. SAR 8.00 $2.13 �1.12 �1.67
Olive oil 1lt./2.11pints SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Corn oil 1lt./2.11pints SAR 8.00 $2.13 �1.12 �1.67
Potatoes 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Onions 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Tomatoes 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Spinach 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Oranges 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 3.50 $0.93 �0.49 �0.73
Apples 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Bananas 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Pears 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Grapes 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 6.00 $1.60 �0.84 �1.25
Peas (can) 250gr./8.82oz. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Beans (can) 250gr./8.82oz. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Whole peeled tomatoes (can) 250gr./8.82oz. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Peaches (can) 500gr./17.63oz. SAR 2.50 $0.67 �0.35 �0.52
Pineapple (can) 500gr./17.63oz. SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Fresh beef filet 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 25.00 $6.67 �3.51 �5.21
Fresh roast beef 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 22.00 $5.87 �3.09 �4.58
Fresh minced beef 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 20.00 $5.33 �2.81 �4.17
Fresh veal 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 18.00 $4.80 �2.53 �3.75
Fresh lamb on bone 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 18.00 $4.80 �2.53 �3.75
Lamb chops 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 19.00 $5.07 �2.67 �3.96
Chicken (fresh whole) 1kg./2.20lbs. SAR 12.00 $3.20 �1.69 �2.50
Table salt 500gr./1.10lbs. SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Black pepper 50gr./1.76oz. SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Frozen pizza 320gr./11.29oz. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Marmalade/jam 370gr./13.05oz. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Ice cream 1lt./2.11pints SAR 15.00 $4.00 �2.11 �3.12
Ketchup 340gr./12oz. SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Milk chocolate (bar) 100gr./3.52oz. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Biscuits (plain) 200gr./7.05oz. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Cigarettes (20 pack, imported) SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04

Household
Laundry detergent 2.5kg./5.51lbs. SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Dishwashing liquid 500ml./1.58pints SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Insect killer spray 330gr./11.64oz. SAR 6.00 $1.60 �0.84 �1.25
Shower gel 250ml./8.45oz. SAR 5.00 $1.33 �0.70 �1.04
Soap (bar)150gr./5.29oz. SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Toothpaste 120gr./4.24oz. SAR 3.00 $0.80 �0.42 �0.62
Shampoo 200 ml./6.76oz. SAR 6.00 $1.60 �0.84 �1.25
Deodorant 50ml./1.69oz. SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Razors/blades (5 pack) SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Aspirin (100 tablets) SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Antibiotics (12) SAR 30.00 $8.00 �4.22 �6.25
Face cream SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Men's shampoo & haircut SAR 30.00 $8.00 �4.22 �6.25
Women's shampoo & haircut SAR 100.00 $26.66 �14.06 �20.83

Utilities
Telephone line (monthly rental) SAR 30.00 $8.00 �4.22 �6.25
Purchase of low cost Mobile/cell phone SAR 300.00 $79.99 �42.17 �62.48
3 minute telephone call - home phone SAR 0.30 $0.08 �0.04 �0.06
3 minute telephone call - mobile/cell phone SAR 4.00 $1.07 �0.56 �0.83
Monthly energy costs apartment (100sq.m./1076sq.ft.) SAR 100.00 $26.66 �14.06 �20.83

Eating Out, Entertainment & Health
Three-course dinner in restaurant SAR 40.00 $10.67 �5.62 �8.33
Fast-food meal SAR 10.00 $2.67 �1.41 �2.08
Cup of coffee in bar/cafe SAR 7.00 $1.87 �0.98 �1.46
Taxi rate per km./0.62 miles SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
City centre bus fare (3km./1.86miles) SAR 1.00 $0.27 �0.14 �0.21
Car hire (up to 1800cc) daily SAR 70.00 $18.66 �9.84 �14.58
Web cafe (30 mins.) SAR 2.00 $0.53 �0.28 �0.42
Private doctor GP (30 mins) SAR 100.00 $26.66 �14.06 �20.83

Clothing
Women's shoes SAR 50.00 $13.33 �7.03 �10.41
Men's shoes SAR 100.00 $26.66 �14.06 �20.83
Pair of jeans SAR 50.00 $13.33 �7.03 �10.41
Men's suit SAR 300.00 $79.99 �42.17 �62.48
Women's suit SAR 200.00 $53.33 �28.11 �41.65
Men's shirt SAR 30.00 $8.00 �4.22 �6.25
Women's dress SAR 50.00 $13.33 �7.03 �10.41

City Cost Observations
The bus fare is fixed @ SAR 2 wherever u go inside the city

[veiledsentiments]

US$399 a month for rent for a furnished 2 bedroom house in a good area in Riyadh? Really?

I suspect that this is VERY VERY old... You couldn't find something for that price in Cairo. Considering that in the rest of the Gulf that wouldn't rent you an unfurnished hovel shared with 10 other men...

VS

[jonathan1001]

Thanks VS

My contract has a housing allowance of SAR2197 per month. Is this adequate for a modest two bedroom place? Will I be able to find anywhere for that price?

Jonathan

[scot47]

Most employees I know have accommodation provided. The option to get a hosuiong allowance instead is usually given to non-westerners.

You will get a place for your allowance. You will have to look hard and you will be ripped off.

[Arab Strap]

From another ESL/EFL website (MOD edit)

Furnished 2 bedroom apartment in good area - monthly rent

Mumbai $751.56

Riyadh $399.95

mmmmmmmmmmmmm maybe that's why there are so many Indians living in KSA, cheaper rent!

Having said that I wouldn't put much faith in these figures.

My rent in the Eastern Province for a two bedroom villa (sic), actually more like a portacabin, with dilapidated furniture and ancient A/C, is going up to 48,000SAR p.a. Ok it's on a compound but it's hardly Club Med

[Stephen Jones]

SR1,500 -SR2,000 a month should get you an unfurnished apartment in a decent area. Expect to have to pay a lot for furniture (including ACs and all kitchen appliances apart from the sink).

[veiledsentiments]

Rather makes you suspect all the info from that site, doesn't it?

VS

[jonathan1001]

Good Morning Everyone

Thank you very much for your honest answers to my question. My main concern is that the housing allowance is not adequate for suitable accommodation for my wife and myself.

I have also heard from another Saudi forum that it is very difficult to find a place.

Not sure what I should do. Doesn't seem that I can negotiate a better housing allowance.

Any suggestions?


Jonathan

[veiledsentiments]

Well, you haven't given us any information as to who the employer is or what your credentials are or what the rest of the package is.

If you can't negotiate a higher housing allowance, the only advice that I would give is to not take the job... unless you are desperate for an immediate position.

VS

[scot47]

[quote="scot47"]Most employees I know have accommodation provided. The option to get a housing allowance instead is usually given to non-westerners.

You will get a place for your allowance. You will have to look hard and you will be ripped off.[/quote]

[Stephen Jones]

The problem is that you will have to pay out something like $5000 to furnish the place, and of course will also need cash to make a down payment on a car.

Really you will have to let us know where in Riyadh you are working so people who live in that area can let you know the present situation. There is no rent control in Saudi so Riyadh rents vary wildly; however they keep on building more apartments so there is usually something available.