Offer of employment in Riyadh - thoughts please?

Expert Info

Posted by

on 16 Nov 2012

Hi I have just been offered a job in Riyadh and the package offered is 18,400 SAR basic, 5000 SAR housing and 1000 SAR transportation allowance. I am coming from the UK with my wife. From the research I have undertaken the housing allowance would not be sufficient enough to get say a 1 or 2 bed apartment in an expat compound? I would like to get peoples views on this and indications over how much it is likely to cost and the likely hood of actually getting a place there. Also would the 1000 SAR be good enough to get a small car? General comments about the package offered will also be useful. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

Anonymous (not verified) on 19 Nov 2012 - 07:31

Hi Vishal,

You are right in believing that compound living in Riyadh is expensive. You'll also find that some compounds are very popular and have long waiting lists.

Have a look at our Accomodation in Riyadh page for more details on compounds in Riyadh.

Expats find that buying a car in Saudi Arabia is relativley cheap. Naturally, being in the Middle East you'll also find that petrol prices are good. It should be possible to find a second hand car for SAR 1000, but lots of expats choose to invest in a good car or 4X4 so they can explore the desert. I would advise you to read this page on Buying a Car in Saudi Arabia for more details. It explains the process and documents needed for purchasing a car in Saudi Arabia.

Finally, take a look at the Expat Arrival's Cost of Living in Saudi Arabia page for a good overview of the expenses you can expect.

Good luck.

Anonymous (not verified) on 19 Nov 2012 - 11:42

Thanks Shantalie - your comments are much appreciated. From your experience do you think the basic salary is sufficent to save a good amount of money for a Westerner? We would be wanting to save at least 8,500 SAR a month to make it worthwhile to move from the UK. Any thoughts would be helpful.

Anonymous (not verified) on 7 Mar 2013 - 15:53

SR5000 as housing allowance is good as the norm is 25% of the basic salary. However, it's not enough to get into a decent compound and hence most companies offer a different housing allowance for westerners who want to live in a compound. For example, they will offer the chance to rent up to SR120,000 on a compound. If you want to buy a car through instalments you will need to have completed 3 months with your company (this is your probation period). A mid range sedan / saloon car is SR2000 per month. Running expenses are very cheap. The main other expense is schooling which most companies provide an allowance towards. All other expenditure is very low and you should easily save your target.

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