Moving to Saudi? Read This Before You Sign That Lease
The concept of renting comes with baggage, but in Saudi – where the real estate scene is evolving fast – the search can actually be exciting as you find the perfect spot somewhere bright, sunny, and with the life you want to live. Read on about how the Kingdom of Living does things differently and so the only baggage is your suitcase.
The cities
The Kingdom’s cities are growing fast and like all big cities, if you want to be close to the action, you’re probably looking to a rent a place. But from west coast to east coat – Red Sea to Arabian Gulf—there are real differences in food, architecture, climate, and lifestyle. To help you find the vibe (or job) you want, here are some of the main cities you should take a look at.
Riyadh
The big city at the heart of the Kingdom. Picture this: Monday morning, you’re making waves at work. Friday night, you’re front-row at an international music festival. By Saturday, you’re dune-bashing in the desert with your crew—and still making it back to the city for a rooftop dinner with views of the Kingdom Tower. Riyadh isn’t just a move, it’s a serious upgrade.
Jeddah
Wake up to salty breezes, grab an iced matcha by the Corniche, and watch the sun rise over the Red Sea before you even check your emails. As the locals say: Jeddah ghair! Jeddah is different. Think scuba diving, waterfront cafes, and a cosmopolitan vibe in the gateway to Saudi Arabia. Effortlessly cool, endlessly creative, fascinatingly historic, Jeddah is for the romantics—and your Insta feed will thank you for it.
Dammam and Al Khobar
On the other side of Saudi are two seaside cities where urban living meets laidback chill. A growing entrepreneur scene, great food, beaches, home to the annual Saudi Film Festival, a diverse community of expats and locals, seaside shopping and activities… the list goes on and it’s also a great place to base yourself if you feel like checking out nearby Bahrain, the UAE, or Qatar for a weekend. You can read a whole lot more about the beautiful Saudi East Coast here.
The basics
In Saudi, like most places, you can get a bigger, quieter place in the suburbs or opt for the convenience of a smaller place right in the heart of the city. Most landlords will expect annual rent, which can often be paid in full or every 6 months – and you can usually negotiate on price, especially for long-term rentals. You can usually expect water to be included in your rent, but not electricity, so it’s best to get all the details before you sign anything
Apartments
Apartments vary from studios to four bedrooms or more! It’s always wise to check out what amenities are included, if the place is furnished (most aren’t but will have essentials like air conditioning, kitchen cabinets and counters, and a restroom – nothing a quick jaunt to Ikea won’t fix though!). It’s also a good idea to make sure you’ve got things like groceries, a hair salon, and maybe a health clinic nearby.
Villas
Want more? Go bigger and rent a villa in the suburbs. Saudi homes are evolving and new developments are often built around shared green spaces and walkable neighborhoods with everything you need in easy reach. There are now whole communities built around wadis, forests, and mountains, where you can take the kids to school and go hiking in the same neighborhood.
Compounds
Interested? These communities are typically built around shared amenities like pools, gyms, cafes, and even schools. Even as Saudi neighborhoods change to embrace more open-plan, community-minded aesthetics, compounds can still be a great option for newcomers to experience something closer to home and develop friendships with likeminded neighbours.
The paperwork (kinda)
Ejar is your new best friend. Ok, not literally. Ejar is the official 100% online Saudi housing contract platform, giving you proof your lease is legal and your rights ironclad. Some employers will handle this for employees, but it’s a good idea to be familiar with your rights and responsibilities too.
Make sure your documents – residency permit (Iqama), passport, and job contract – are all in order, and make sure you’re dealing with a licensed real estate agent before meeting up or sharing documents. Once you’re set, you can also use the SADAD platform to pay rent, utilities, and phone bills.
Get started
Ready to start looking? Check out Aqar, Bayut or Property Finder, or even search for local expat groups—there are plenty—to see what’s out there for you. Let’s close the deal with some pro tips:
- Neighborhood you’ve got your eye on? Just search for real estate offices in that area and give them a call.
- Ladies, you can live wherever your heart desires, but if you’d like to be somewhere more quiet – check out places that rent to “families only”.
- Check what amenities are included in the rent and make sure things like the air conditioning, water pressure, and insulation are all working before you sign and move in!
- You’re entitled to have a clean, functioning apartment on move-in day, so take pictures and save them as proof of condition for when you leave.
- Friends and colleagues who’ve been through the process will be priceless in this process, and more than happy to help.
