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Saudi Relocation Starter Pack: What Expats Really Need in Week One

  • Writer: Sarah Green
    Sarah Green
  • Oct 16
  • 3 min read
Riyadh roads: your first lesson in Saudi survival skills.
Riyadh roads: your first lesson in Saudi survival skills.

The First-Week Wobble Is Real

Every expat family hits it. One moment you’re buzzing with excitement, the next you’re in a mega-mall clutching bottled water, wondering why the Wi-Fi won’t work and where to find decent coffee.


This post is the practical version of that story — your clear, useful, printable starter kit for Riyadh. It’s the checklist I wish someone had handed me at Arrivals.


Download the full Saudi Relocation Starter Pack PDF to follow along and stick it on your fridge.



Your Week-One Checklist at a Glance


Tick these off and you’ll keep the chaos at bay:

  • Paperwork – iqama process, visa copies, attested certificates

  • Money – cash in hand, bank account set-up

  • Phone/Internet – local SIM, mobile data

  • Groceries – supermarket run, bottled water, delivery apps

  • Housing – short-term base, viewings booked

  • School – orientation, uniforms, bus routes

  • Healthcare – register at a clinic, know your insurance

  • Community – join a WhatsApp group, say yes to coffee invites



Soft landings in the desert — finding your footing in Riyadh, one step at a time
Soft landings in the desert — finding your footing in Riyadh, one step at a time

Before You Arrive: Prep for a Softer Landing


A smoother pre-departure makes for a calmer landing.

  • Paperwork: Bring multiple copies of visas, passports, marriage/birth certificates — all attested.

  • Medicals: Check if your employer needs them done at home or on arrival.

  • Accommodation: Book at least two weeks in a serviced apartment or hotel. Housing takes time.

  • Schools: Apply months ahead; waitlists can be brutal.

  • Packing: Breathable fabrics for heat, modest clothing for public spaces. A lightweight cardigan goes a long way.


Sarah’s Tip: Pop a Halloween costume or house-colour T-shirt in your suitcase. It’ll save you a last-minute scramble when the school calendar kicks in.


Days 1–3: Get Connected & Fed


Survival mode is about basics, not sightseeing.

  • SIM & Data: STC, Mobily, or Friendi kiosks at the airport. Get WhatsApp and banking apps running.

  • Groceries: Lulu, Carrefour, or Tamimi for essentials. Book bottled water delivery.

  • Cash & Cards: Keep some riyals on hand. Bank accounts take weeks.

  • Make It Home: Snacks, detergent, extension leads — small comforts ease the shock.


Sarah’s Tip: Go STC for coverage. Add Virgin or Friendi as a cheap second line.


Days 4–7: Tackle the Paperwork


This is when admin feels relentless, but it pays off fast.

  • Iqama: Your golden ticket. No iqama = no bank, no internet, no school.

  • Banking: Expect 2–3 weeks to open an account. Use Wise in the meantime.

  • Housing: Start viewings — compounds mean community, villas mean space.

  • Schools: Uniforms, books, and orientation week queues.

  • Healthcare: Register early with your employer’s clinic.


The desert teaches you pace — steady, centred, calm.
The desert teaches you pace — steady, centred, calm.

Week 2 Onwards: Find Your Rhythm


With the foundations down, life stops feeling like crisis management.

  • Internet: Installation (STC, Zain, Mobily) takes 2–4 weeks.

  • Furniture: IKEA, Abyat, Pan Emirates, or second-hand expat groups.

  • Apps: HungerStation and Jahez for food, Carrefour/Lulu for groceries.

  • Community: Say yes to coffee invites, join a PTA or compound group.

  • Language: Learn basics: Shukran (thank you), As-salamu alaykum (hello). Small efforts go a long way.


Culture Shock: What to Expect & How to Cope

  • Dress Codes & Prayer Times: Women don’t need abayas everywhere, but modest clothing matters. Shops still pause at prayer.

  • Ramadan: No eating/drinking in public during daylight hours. Stock up early.

  • Frustration Phase: Celebrate small wins — first grocery delivery intact = victory.

  • Family Orientation: Riyadh is safe and family-friendly once routines click into place.


Why It’s Worth Pushing Through

Stick with it — the rewards come quickly:

  • Community: Families from all over the world, ready to connect.

  • Travel: Red Sea beaches, AlUla canyons, or quick getaways to Dubai and Muscat.

  • Safety: Riyadh is one of the safest capitals to raise a family.

  • Riyadh Season: Concerts, food festivals, theatre — the city knows how to distract you.


Download Your Starter Pack

I’ve turned the checklist into a handy PDF so you can tick things off without scrolling back here.



And if you’ve already survived your first week in Riyadh, drop a comment: What was your biggest win — or your most surprising wobble?

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