Moving to Riyadh alone from Europe

Question

Hey, I'm moving to Riyadh soon as a 25-year-old European to work at a T2 firm. My original goal was Dubai, but unfortunately, it's not possible at this point as they are not hiring for Riyadh.

After much consideration, I've decided to go for it, but I'm extremely nervous about the move. I'm hoping to connect with other Europeans who are in a similar situation to mine and potentially find roommates.

What is the best way to find people in this situation? I've been researching Riyadh, but there's very little information available compared to other cities.

Answer 1

What are you nervous about?

Life is safe, peaceful, and convenient in KSA/UAE/Q.

For both expat men and expat women.

Do write to me - happy to resolve all your concerns.

In my opinion, there is nothing to be concerned about.

Regarding potential flatmates - you will definitely find good ones within the consulting circles once you land there. And living alone in a GCC country is also something very safe.

Answer 2

Sorry to hear about your concerns.

I've had lots of candidates going for Riyadh and all seem to enjoy it, so I can only say good things about it for now.

Check Fishbowl where you're likely to find lots of consultants within the region.

Also, if you're just starting in consulting, you might find the following articles useful:

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offer!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

First of all, I would advise you to explore expat communities online. These platforms often have dedicated forums and social groups.
Moreover, consider joining groups on Facebook and LinkedIn specifically targeted at expats in Riyadh.
Lastly, I would advise you to reach out to your new employer's HR respresentative to inquire if they can connect you with other new hires or existing employees from Europe. This could be a great way to establish contacts even before you move.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

You can find the consulting salaries report 2024 here!

Answer 4

It's going to be super easy. You're definitely not going to be the first European in your office. You'll find a good number of them - and they'll be able to explain you everything and introduce you to the expat community (e.g. they'll most likely know consultants in other firms, and probably you will even find a community / group from your own country, although this may depend on your specific nationality)