Expert Info

Posted by ameliah
on 9 Aug 2016
Single Female moving to Al Khobar to work as Business Lecturer. Will I be able to rent accommodation in a compound? and access the gym?
Meagan Dill on 10 Aug 2016 - 10:16
Hi there,

I would recommend that you rent accommodation in a compound, because Saudi Arabia's religious police don't patrol these areas. As a single woman, it's not likely you'd be able to rent outside a compound in any case.

If you want to gym in Saudi Arabia, make sure the compound you choose has its own gym, because you won't be allowed to use a regular public gym as a woman. 

You may find the Women in Saudi Arabia page useful as an overview, and there is a write-up on expat compounds on the Accommodation in Saudi Arabia page. 

Best of luck.

Meagan
Anonymous (not verified) on 10 Aug 2016 - 14:20
thank you that is really helpful
Anonymous (not verified) on 10 Aug 2016 - 14:36
thank you do they have one bedroom apartments within compounds? any idea on cost
Meagan Dill on 11 Aug 2016 - 08:07
Hi there,

Yes, most compounds do have one-bedroom apartments available from what I can gather. But waiting lists can be long. Your company might be able to help you find something, and lots of expats are able to negotiate a package that includes accommodation organised and paid for by the company.

I found some figures from February 2015 which put the price of a one-bedroom apartment in a compound starting at 50k a year and up. 80k seemed to be a common figure, too.

Regards
Meagan