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Hi nigelgodfrey,

You might also view this article on "Accommmodation in Jubail".

Thanks Christine. Reading it now. Looks useful. I am interested if the oil slump has caused a reduction in the high accomm costs.

Nigel.

Nigel..I arrived here about two weeks ago and got myself a place in jubail city. My colleagues who have been living here for over a year tell me the rents have really gone down since the time they arrived. Mostly because of a number of large projects coming to an end and a huge number of people leaving the city. I'm certain you will be getting better deals now, comparatively.

As for the full year's rent in advance; yes it's quite normal. However, you can negotiate it to 6 months which I believe is always a safer bet. I was living in riyadh for 6 months before my company decided to move me here.

Thanks Zeejamote....
I would initially be looking to see if my rent allowance stretches to a studio apartment in a residential compound - with electricity and water included, as well as a pool and a buffer from the Mutaween to save me from being caught doing any cultural transgressions (like wearing short trousers etc) or drinking (water) during Ramadan.
I am having to a year straight  off so would look at wife and son visiting for a week once or twice. Apparently that is now possible.
Nigel.

That's a good idea. If it's any consolation, I have found jubail to be way more relaxed in terms of mutaween and what you wear outside in comparison to the rest of ksa (riyadh in particular). I was actually pretty surprised to see men swimming at the family beaches topless. Come to think of it, you hardly see any police here either.