What is the current (2008) cost of living in Riyadh. I have 2 scholl going children. What is the cost like?
I will be going to Riyadh with my wife and 2 boys age 8 and 11. What is the cost for the following items
1) 3 bedroom house
2) International Schools for by boys
3) Food
4) Transportation
5) General cost of living
Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
If you choose a very modest room, prepare your own food and limit the amount of consumer goods you buy, I would expect to be able to live on as little as SR1,000 a month. If you are Indian, then you could live on half of that.
Ex-pats from the USA, Europe or anyone who is white will pay more when they shop in small, independent shops and for things like apartments. Indians, Philippinos, Chinese and other Asians all pay less. So you are in a very good position because you are earning a Westerners wage but you will be paying Indian prices!
This doesn't apply everywhere though. Supermarkets are the same wherever you come from, as are the big "High Street" shops you find in the shopping malls. The best way to save money is to always shop where there are ex-pats in control, because they are more willing to bargain with you and make a deal, especially if you are Indian. (I don't want to sound racist about this - I am just telling you the way things work out here.)
There are plenty of Indian-run places where you can find basic needs very cheaply. Here is a list of basic items and what they cost. Remember that these are "white" prices and you can expect to pay less for some of the items (all prices are in Saudi Riyals, which is fixed to the dollar at SR3.750=$1)
Basic 2-bed flat (unfurnished): 500 - 1,500
Car rental per month (very basic model): 1,000
Litre of petrol 91 octane: 0.450
Litre of petrol 95 octane: 0.600
Packet of cigarettes (Marlboro): 5.50
Pint of milk: 3
Green curry and rice in Thai restaurant: 15
Arab News (English lang. newspaper): 2
Basic Shirts from market: 10
Basic Trousers from market: 15
It looks like you have an excellent opportunity before you here and my advice, if you are having doubts, would be to proceed, but with caution. If everything works out well, you will have a great time, meet lots of lovely people and make a lot of money.
A word of warning, however, Raja, before you make a commitment. Saudi agencies are not the most trustworthy and many of them treat their employees poorly. This is especially true of workers from Asia. It seems that there is a scandal reported every day in the local press regarding ex-pat workers being abused or mistreated by unscrupulous agencies. So be very careful. Make sure you examine the contract you are offered very carefully and seek professional advice if you have any doubts about anything. Make sure that EVERYTHING is written into your contract and NEVER rely on promises or verbal assurances, no matter how well you think you know the other person.
for schools look at the link .
take care..
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