Living and Working in Saudi Arabia
Seen by many as the heart of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia (or KSA as it’s also known) has long enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the UK. Over 30,000 British nationals live there as expats, and there are more than two hundred current joint ventures between British and Saudi companies, worth an estimated $17.5 billion.
Of course it’s not just the British who make up the thriving expat community, but business people from all over the world. The cost of living is relatively low, with housing, utilities, food and water being quite affordable, and tax-free expat salaries can be attractively high. Naturally, a more luxurious, more expensive lifestyle is certainly available to those in the higher echelons of society or higher up the business food chain, with lavish accommodation and imported, worldwide foodstuffs and fashion readily available.
Many expats live in with Jeddah or Riyadh, where most of the businesses for whom they work are based. These cities have all the amenities Westerners expect, and the lifestyle of those living and working in Saudi Arabia is generally considered to be very social – gatherings at accommodation complexes, diving trips and desert drives being popular pastimes. There are many international schools, which generally have very high educational standards, although fees can be relatively expensive. Healthcare is excellent.
Most people are already very well aware that the climate in KSA is very warm indeed, although it does vary across the country. Riyadh tends to have a dry climate with low humidity, whereas Jeddah is somewhat more tropical, and the Eastern Province receives more rainfall. The country’s somewhat conservative culture is also well known, and women in particular should dress very modestly and take care to keep covered up in public.
As the expat community in KSA continues to grow, we at Pembury Partners already have a presence in the region. Our co-founder and Director Elvie Dakin works with UHNW (Ultra-High Net Worth) clients and noted individuals within private households; and co-founder and Director Darren Lewis heads up our work with professional athletes.
If we can assist with your search for the highest calibre of staff in the region, we’d love to hear from you.
Please contact Pembury Partners to discuss your staffing requirements in Saudi Arabia, or indeed elsewhere in the world.
