The top 5 Best Cities in Saudi Arabia for Expats

1Jeddah

Jeddah is hands down one of the best cities in Saudi Arabia for expats to live in. First of all, it is full of foreigners. You’ll find them scattered about in all the restaurants and coffee shops. It is also across the sea from Egypt and the entire African peninsula, so it is a great spot from which one can travel. Jeddah is also a coastal city, and although going to public beaches in swimwear is forbidden, you can drive to one of the many private beaches and enjoy a “normal” day out at the beach. Some great activities there are scuba diving in the Red Sea or deep sea fishing. On a last note, the Saudi religious police seem to turn a blind eye to the many activities in Jeddah. You’ll find plenty of house parties and open-minded folk. Many Saudis consider Jeddah Saudis far too liberal.

2Dammam

Another popular coastal city, albeit smaller than Jeddah, is Dammam. It does not look anywhere near as busy, and real estate is definitely cheaper. At about one million residents, I found it a little too small for my likes. There are many outer suburbs which add to the population, but the city looks rather decentralized. The big advantage is the fact the American compound ARAMCO is located in Dammam. ARAMCO is a full blown compound-town full of expats you can meet and hang out with. The compound itself is full of Western amenities. Another reason why Damamm is one of the best cities in Saudi Arabia for expats is the bridge which links it Bahrain. Every weekend, hordes of young Saudis drive down the twenty five kilometer bridge to to the tiny kingdom of Bahrain to party. Bahrain is the polar opposite of Saudi Arabia and is loaded with clubs, bars, and movie theaters. It is a definite welcome relief to the rigid rules across the bridge. Since getting Saudi visitor visas for friends is a little hard, you can get them to stop over in Bahrain and spend quality time together–which is a big plus.

3Riyadh

As opposed to Jeddah and Dammam, Riyadh has no beach, nor is it anywhere near one. It is smack dab in the middle of the desert and can get very cold at night during the winter months. Riyadh also often gets hit by major sandstorms, which really plays a number on the sinuses and allergies You’ll find there is a little animosity between Riyadh Saudis and all other Saudis, since the former consider Riyadh the “conservative” seat of power. The religious police is a lot more prevalent in Riyadh and law is strictly enforced. Why do I then place Riyadh as one of the best cities in Saudi Arabia for expats? Because it is a huge metropolis with all the conveniences that major, modern cities possess. Although it’s traffic is hectic and disorganized, you can find almost everything you want along its sprawling streets and massive shopping malls.

4Medina

Living in one of the two holy cities of Islam is an experience to behold. For those who love Arabian lore and culture, there is hardly any better place to explore religion than Medina. It is only a few hours away from the coastal city of Jeddah, and offers a decent amount of teaching jobs. Medina is a religious place and is meant for those looking to immerse themselves in Saudi Arabian or Muslim culture. For those looking for fun, Medina is most definitely not the place for you. The city itself is beautiful, with large domed minarets and a rich heritage. You will also find many coffee shops (including Starbucks), as well as plenty of venues to eat. It definitely caters to a more relaxed, pseudo-intellectual crowd. I also found Medina’s people to be very kind and welcoming to foreigners.

5Mecca

Mecca is the largest of the Two Holy Cities of Islam and the place were over one billion Muslims pray towards every day. It is a mix of new and old. The expansive city looks archaic and dusty, yet the Abraj Al-Bait rises up from the center of the city in a show of modern defiance. It holds several world records, which include the biggest hotel in the world, the tallest clock tower in the world, and the world’s biggest clock face. It is absolutely massive; you need only look at photos to understand. Although Mecca is quite conservative, its people are very kind.

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