Why Saudi Arabia is Ideal for Families
Beyond the excitement of sports events and giga-projects that dominate the headlines (and for good reason!), Saudi Arabia also happens to be one of the best places to raise a family. Safe streets, good schools and affordable healthcare – in other words, the building blocks for a happy family.
From sports to beach holidays, and great food, this article is here to tell you why the Kingdom is not only where you’ll want to make your career, but also where you can create unforgettable memories in a place you can truly call home.
1. Safety
Saudi cities are famously safe and even with rapid urbanization and a growing population, crime remains low. Kids can ride their bikes in the neighborhood and people look out for each other because communities are tight-knit and often intergenerational. Doorbell ringing way past dinner time? Probably your neighbor letting you know you left your key in the door again!
But to give you added peace of mind, as part of the expanding Digital Government suite, you can get in touch with most public safety services – like the police, highway patrol, and more – online and around the clock.
2. Healthcare
Saudi Arabia’s ratio of medical professionals to population is comparable to France or the UK, with a great network of public and private hospitals. Employers are also mandated to provide health insurance to their employees; in other words, if you live and work in Saudi, you’re covered, and often your policy will go with you when you travel abroad. You’re also protected by the Patients’ Bill of Rights, which includes the rights to healthcare, respect, and privacy, and applies equally to private and public healthcare facilities, no matter who you are, or where you come from.
To top it all off, the Saudi healthcare system is continuously evolving to make accessing services quicker and easier. For example, the Sehhaty (My Health) app brings together a number of services, including consultations, changing appointments, accessing vaccination records, and even choosing your family doctor all in one convenient place – in English and Arabic. In case of emergency, you can always access ambulance services via the app or call them directly at 997, and rest assured that is free of charge.
3. Education
The Saudi public education system is one of the largest in the region and four in five students attend a public school, university or vocational institute. But there is also a diverse private school system, including international, higher education, Montessori, special needs institutions, and more.
The Kingdom’s international schools are accredited and also cater to students who want to attain prestigious international certification or do advanced coursework. These schools are deeply connected to their communities, and have taught young people from across the world, like the American and British Schools in Dhahran, teaching children from more than 50 nationalities. There is also the Deutsche International Schule Riad, which is more than 50 years old, and l’École Française Internationale de Djeddah, which was founded in 1966 and today teaches more than 1,000 students from 38 countries.
4. Entertainment and Tourism
Whether you’re shopping in Riyadh’s glittering shopping malls, geeking out together at the Scitech Museum observatory, or picnicking in the cooler climes of the north, there’s something for every family, no matter your speed. Why not rent a few quad bikes and spend an afternoon zipping around the dunes? Or check what’s on at this year’s Riyadh Season, with 14 zones that offer everything from concerts and theatrical productions to a butterfly house and swimming with dolphins!
Saudi culture centers the family, so it comes as no surprise that you’ll find that the kids go pretty much anywhere you go. But hey, we all need some one-on-one time with our favorite person, no? There’s no shortage of gastronomic adventures, sporting events, and concerts where you can both spend time away from homework, nappies, and bedtime! Even better, why not get away from it all and check out the white sandy beaches at the resorts on the Red Sea coast? The kids are more than welcome, too!
5. Sports
If there’s one thing most Saudis agree on, it’s spending an evening at the game – but it’s not necessarily at one of those massive stadiums you’ve seen on TV. More than ever, Saudis are organizing local sports leagues, for children, adults, and seniors alike. On platforms like Sports for All, you can find everything from football and basketball teams for the kids to marathons and bikepacking for adults, or even start your own hobby club on Hawi!
And don’t even get us started on the gym culture! Whether you’re kickboxing, spin-cycling, Zumba-ing, or simply looking for a one-on-one with a trainer, Saudi gym culture is peaking right now, and you’re bound to find the one that fits your needs. There are plenty of international chain gyms and even more creative local ones.
6. A Home to Call Your Own
The Saudi Housing Program aims for 70% homeownership in the Kingdom by 2030, and with the speed at which attractive homes of all sizes are going up across the Kingdom’s cities, the goal is looking increasingly within reach.
Homebuilders like ROSHN, one of the Saudi Arabia’s largest giga-projects, which aims to build more than 400,000 homes by 2030, in secure, sustainable neighborhoods where parks, schools, health facilities and small businesses are always just a short walk away. As part of the Saudi Green Initiative, homebuilders are also incorporating more green spaces which not only improve the environment, but create plenty of community areas for all to enjoy.
7. Digitized Rent for Your Peace of Mind
And if you’re a renter, you’re in good company, with just under half of Saudi residents renting. You’re also protected! Look no further than the Ejar app, where millions of leases are registered to ensure that you and your landlord are always on the same page.
