How to choose your neighbourhood in Riyadh

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Neighborhoods in Riyadh

Riyadh comprises no clear boundaries. There is one municipality, the Riyadh Municipality, which is divided in 16 sub-municipalities named baladiyahs. As indicated in the article about Finding accommodation in Riyadh, the city is home to most foreign embassies in the country, so there's a wide range of housing options for diplomats, most of whom reside in the diplomatic quarter, also known as DQ. Other municipalities are further divided into 130 smaller areas.

If you are planning to settle outside of the above-mentioned diplomatic quarter or in any of the  compounds found nearby, you can head to Al Olayya, which is a municipality area commonly known as the business district. Other famous districts in Riyadh are Al Mohamdiya and Nakheel which also provide a wide range of accommodation options for all tastes. As Riyadh is quickly expanding, the northern areas are developing quickly, such as Al Narjis, Al Arid and Al Qirawan.

Staying outside the compounds is appreciated and recommended for bachelors in Saudi Arabia. In fact, most expat families moving to Riyadh prefer to stay close to other expats  in the modern and secure compounds. Also, employers usually provide accommodation to solo female expats, and they are usually found close to their workplace in most areas.

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Benefits of moving to Riyadh

Expats usually find it easier and safer to move to Riyadh than any other destination in the region. According to a 2023 survey, the capital was ranked third city in the world in terms of human capital  It's worth noting that accommodation in Riyadh is expensive compared to Kuwait and Manama, but cheaper compared to major cities in the United Arab Emirates, for example. It is worth noting that accomodation's prices have been rising rapidly in the last few years.

Riyadh is also home to many international schools, making it an excellent choice to move to with your family. Usually, most of these are expensive but offer quality education. Also, most buildings include outdoor parking lots.