Lifestyle and Shopping in Jeddah
Life in Jeddah is far more vibrant and, for many, much more satiating than that of neighbouring Saudi provinces and the strictly religious capital of Riyadh. As the main point of entry in the KSA, the city has been significantly affected by the eclectic nature of those passing through for either economic reasons or as a method to enter the nearby holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
Expats will find that Jeddah’s broader brush with a multitude of cultures and ethnicities has created the potential to cultivate a better lifestyle.
Intrinsic to the good life Jeddah enjoys is its seaside location. The sparkling beaches and full foliage make for an outdoor space that is incredibly appealing. The city has also complemented the presence of the seeming endless waterfront promenade by commissioning various artistic installations.
The result is a lovely combination of natural and man-made aesthetic available for the population’s enjoyment.
Nonetheless, expats should be forewarned that the improvement in the expected lifestyle when living in Jeddah verse the rest of Saudi is still very much an issue of relativity.
Jeddah is nevertheless part of the Kingdom, and thus, there are no nightclubs, no movie theatres and there are segregated eating establishments.
For women especially, the draw of destination malls remains the primary source of happiness and entertainment. Saudi Arabia is a shopping paradise and Jeddah fully subscribes to the rules of engagement.
The multitudes of malls present in the city almost always have some sort of full-fledged entertainment or amusement park attached. Some come complete with ice skating rinks, and others feel vindicated just offering patrons a choice of nearly 300 international boutiques.
Expats may find this constant consumerism exhausting, and in the end, many will turn to the entertainment provided and the relationships cultivated within local compounds to be the largest indicator of quality of life.
Expats will find that Jeddah’s broader brush with a multitude of cultures and ethnicities has created the potential to cultivate a better lifestyle.
Intrinsic to the good life Jeddah enjoys is its seaside location. The sparkling beaches and full foliage make for an outdoor space that is incredibly appealing. The city has also complemented the presence of the seeming endless waterfront promenade by commissioning various artistic installations.
The result is a lovely combination of natural and man-made aesthetic available for the population’s enjoyment.
Nonetheless, expats should be forewarned that the improvement in the expected lifestyle when living in Jeddah verse the rest of Saudi is still very much an issue of relativity.
Jeddah is nevertheless part of the Kingdom, and thus, there are no nightclubs, no movie theatres and there are segregated eating establishments.
For women especially, the draw of destination malls remains the primary source of happiness and entertainment. Saudi Arabia is a shopping paradise and Jeddah fully subscribes to the rules of engagement.
The multitudes of malls present in the city almost always have some sort of full-fledged entertainment or amusement park attached. Some come complete with ice skating rinks, and others feel vindicated just offering patrons a choice of nearly 300 international boutiques.
Expats may find this constant consumerism exhausting, and in the end, many will turn to the entertainment provided and the relationships cultivated within local compounds to be the largest indicator of quality of life.
