r/RiyadhExpats

ب كم تحلقون في الرياض لحية و شعر ؟؟

I am a mechanical engineer (vehicle testing - 3YOE) from Chennai and I got a call from a staffing agency for a job opportunity in Riyadh for a big EV company - vehicle testing role. My current CTC is 5.25 cuz here I'm working through an agency too.

During the first call discussion they said they don't have any current range for the budget and they have to ask from the client. But she asked what my expected and I did some research online and asked few people from UAE on those and came to a number of 9000-15000 SAR per month but willing for negotiation.

Current update is they said client will provide accommodation (Don't know whether it's a camp type or compound type) , transportation, food, medical insurance and travel expenses.

Now they came to compensation and said they'll give 20LPA ~ 7789 SAR PER ANNUM. I have no idea whether I can save anything or do spend anything good for myself with this... They keep saying your current CTC is this and we can't get so much more than that from client.. but the discussion is still going on. I have not attended any interview as of now.

I need help, should I take this if the interview goes through and get selected or should I ask for better package if so how much?

Hi all,

May prob ba talaga ngayon sa approval nang work visa sa Saudi Embassy? One month na kasi pero narereject lagi visa namin as per agency.

Engineers kami bound to KSA. Meron na rin kaming SCE.

I recently moved to Riyadh about 3 weeks ago after accepting a Project Manager role with an engineering/construction company. I have around 16 years of experience and moved here mainly because I always wanted international exposure and thought Saudi would be a great opportunity.

Back in my home country, my package was around 12.6k SAR equivalent. My Riyadh package is:

Basic: 22k SAR
Housing: 5.5k SAR
Car allowance: 1.6k SAR

On paper, I thought this was a huge jump and a no-brainer decision.

But after arriving… wow. Riyadh living costs hit me harder than expected.

Apartment prices seem crazy, and even monthly car rentals are not cheap at all. Then I look around and see engineers and supervisors reporting to me living in villas costing around 10k SAR/month and driving cars with 3k SAR monthly commitments.

That honestly made me wonder: am I missing something here?

Are people taking huge loans? Do they have family income? Side businesses? Or am I actually underpaid compared to the Riyadh market?

For those in engineering/construction in Saudi, especially PMs, what’s the realistic package range nowadays for a Project Manager with ~16 years experience?

Also, does nationality still play a big role in salary differences here? I’ve heard mixed opinions about that. Some expats on Reddit claim nationality still affects compensation significantly. Others suggest expat salary premiums in Saudi have been narrowing recently.

Genuinely curious because I’m still new here and trying to understand if this is normal… or if I’ve been humbled by Riyadh 😅

I have been living alone in Saudi Arabia for the past three years. In fact, I’ve spent most of my life living alone,not out of misery, but by my own choice. It feels truly wonderful and beautiful to live this way.

​Your food, your sleep, your life... it's all yours. I never invite anyone over to my place because I feel completely exhausted when friends are around. The loud voices, the forced jokes, the unpleasant vibes ,it’s just not for me.

​Ever since I turned 23 or 24, I haven’t had any friends, and I’ve never wanted them. Instead, I cherish the old friends I already have and stay in constant touch with them online.

​I genuinely wonder why some people show so much discomfort with being alone, complaining that they are bored and trying to make new friends here in Saudi through Reddit or dating apps.

​Just the day before yesterday, I saw a post from someone saying they were bored, mentally depressed, and so on... One guy advised them to start going to the gym, but the poster just wasn't ready to accept themselves or change their life. It has been stuck in my mind for two days now: Are people losing themselves, or are they just afraid to face who they really are?"

Hey everyone

My husband and I are currently apartment hunting in Riyadh, preferably North Riyadh, and honestly we’re starting to feel like we’re asking for the impossible 😂

Our requirements are:
- Budget around 3000 SAR max
- Decent/clean apartment
- Pet-friendly because we have a small Griffon dog 🐶
- AND PLEASE… a separate kitchen 😭 not one of those kitchens inside the living room lol

Are these requirements actually unrealistic in Riyadh these days?

Would really appreciate any advice from people who already went through this:
- Best areas in North Riyadh for this budget?
- Good real estate offices or brokers to deal with?
- Apps/websites/Facebook groups you recommend?
- Any red flags to avoid with brokers or landlords?

Would love to hear your experiences because the search process is honestly exhausting 😅

How to find a job in riyadh?

Hey guys ,what are some good areas to hang out in or things to do alone when you just wanna get out for a bit?

Hi, ahoy,

I have not done this before, but I am currently looking for a strategy internship or an entry level role. If you know of any openings or are hiring, I would appreciate a heads up.

Asalam Alekom!

I’m looking to do Hijra from Sweden to Saudi Arabia, in a 23 year old male and I wanna get enough information. I’m about to inshallah graduate urban planning and I wonder how difficult would it be for me to get a job? I know of Saudization however I’ve seen a few job opportunities but mostly 8-15 years is required no saudization on them. I wanna try to get an internship or a junior position inshallah.
I’m not too bothered if it’s in Riyadh, Jeddah etc. How would I try to make my way into the Saudi system, working visa sounds best and I know companies can get that for you if I’m not mistaken, some even offer annual flight etc. How would you try to land a position in my field? LinkedIn? Some job website or contacting. Any help is appreciated and may Allah give you peace and blessings in these blessed days

Hello all,

I am looking for advice about rental in Riyadh.

Can you help with a few info / links/ areas?

What am I looking for:

\- price ideally 96 but up to 100k /yr

\- 2 bedrooms

\- it would be nice to have a small garden

\- parking place for a car

\- nice to have a metro station nearby

\- location more into airport direction

I will be living there with my wife so it would be nice if area could have a gym/ swimming pool.

For orientation I am from central Europe if it matters.

I have heard about Sedra, I don't know the prices though.

I'm currently looking into buying a property in Riyadh and I'm a bit concerned about the quality of construction and materials being used.

I've heard several stories of new buildings developing cracks in the walls, sometimes serious enough that residents had to evacuate for major repairs.

I’d really appreciate hearing from those of you who have already bought property here. What has been your experience? How is the build quality? And overall — is it worth the hassle?

Thanks in advance!

Asslamalaikum Everyone I got a job offer letter by 15 april I signed and sent to the employer now they are saying they have some issues in the system and its all over the kingdom thats why they cant initiate the transfer and asking to wait once transfer of sponsorship is done then I will join its been over a month almost is it normal? This much delay?

Let me staightforward. I will be relocating to north riyadh from south asia country, bringing a spouse and a baby. 24k sar/month offers is in my hand right now. Additionally, there's relocation benefit as well. Does it sufficient to have a decent lifestyle there?

I do have brainstormed with AI and seems like it would covers middle up lifestyle and some savings, including rent 1br apartement up to 5k sar/month and lease a car. However, i still need more insight, a realistic one without AI hallucination

Thank you in advance

Salam....Saad here ..28 yrs from Lahore , Currently in Riyadh ...looking for just reddit friends...

If interested Pm..

If you are in Riyadh , Then much better.

I am willing to relocate for a new job and idk how life would be and idk if the salary i got is enough for me…

Hi everyone,

I’m currently looking for opportunities in Riyadh as an Executive Assistant, Secretary, or Admin cum HR professional. I have 7+ years of experience in administration, executive support, HR coordination, scheduling, office management, and handling day-to-day operations.

If anyone knows of any openings or can help with referrals, I’d really appreciate it.

Thank you!!!

Hi everyone, asking for your advice please. TIA. Is a job offer with a basic salary of 1500 SAR + 300 SAR food allowance okay for a Store Representative in KSA? I feel like it’s kinda low and maybe not enough because of inflation nowadays. Although the company provides free accommodation and free transportation. What do you guys think? Is it worth it?