Find a Home
Life in Saudi Arabia, though
rewarding, can present some difficulties to the expatriate used to a different
way of life. Compounds can make
day to day living that much easier.
The first expatriates in
Jeddah lived in stand-alone villas, there were no compounds as such.
As more companies brought in expatriate staff for specific contracts,
compounds were constructed as a temporary measure with the expectation that
they would be demolished when the assignments were completed.
As the demand for expatriates grew, the life of the temporary housing
was extended and in the early 1980s, the first purpose-built, large-scale
compounds were developed by Arabian
Homes, to cater for the expatriate market as a whole, rather than for
specific companies. Now there are
many such developments, in varying sizes, and the 'one company compound' is
virtually non-existent.
The compound lifestyle is
difficult for the uninitiated to imagine - the very word implies a prison-like
edifice. It's a point of view of
course but only for the very negative, who perhaps shouldn't be here anyway!
For most it offers a luxurious way of life compared to that in the home
country. Swimming pools close by,
sports facilities on hand, gardening taken care of, 24 hour maintenance
resolving any problem without the loss of a weekend waiting for the plumber or
engineer. Compounds offer a safe
environment for children to enjoy Jeddah's climate of 'constant summer'.
For wives and children, who may feel the adjustment process more
keenly, there is a readymade social life, to ease the transition into their
new home and lifestyle.
The sizes and standards of the
compounds in Jeddah naturally vary. The
top-of-the range compounds, with matching prices, tend to offer the most
facilities. For example, you
would expect to find most, if not all, of the following: an on-site
supermarket, restaurant, hairdresser/barber, travel agent, library,
information centre, bowling alley, gym, squash courts, tennis courts,
playgrounds, plenty of swimming pools, shopping buses, limousines, a nursery
and pre-school for young children, video library, satellite television and
organised activities for the residents.
As always there are exceptions - there are a few smaller but equally
expensive compounds that offer the height of comfort and space in their
accommodation with less extensive external facilities.
Choosing where to live in
Jeddah, as anywhere, can make the difference between loving the place and
hating it - of course what may suit some might be anathema to others.
Research your potential home thoroughly, visit as many as you can even
if you have limited time. Check,
too, what is included in the rent - a
price that looks more attractive than the next compound might just be the rent
for the house without a furniture package, maintenance charges and utility
bills factored in. If you have children that require bussing to school, this too
may be charged separately. 'All
in' rents are usually calculable if requested, making comparison easier.
Prices for accommodation start from around SR30,000 for a bachelor flat
through to SR220,000 per year for a top of the range, three or four bedroom
villa on the most expensive compound, where every imaginable facility or
service is available. For a more
realistic idea, the average rent for a furnished three bedroom villa is
SR125,000 a year and for a furnished two bedroom flat, SR71,000 a year.
As a final thought to those
possibly resisting the idea of compounds in favour of a stand-alone villa -
when you first arrive in any new town or city, getting to know people and
building a network of friends can be difficult.
Here it can be doubly so, especially for women who are unable to travel
as freely as they may have been used to.
The thought of a compound may incite claustrophobia but with lack of
mobility encouraging a feeling of isolation, the apparent freedom of a villa
may in fact be the opposite, until you are entirely familiar with your
surroundings and the local customs.
Here follows a fairly
substantial survey of the compounds in Jeddah, beginning with 'the Big 5' -
defined by size.
Arabian
Homes
dominates the upper tier of the expatriate compound market.
It has four separate compounds in north Jeddah and as the longest
established provider of expatriate accommodation, age has brought experience -
they seem to have nearly every base covered in terms of facilities offered and
maintenance standards. Sierra Village (J7) is the largest in the group (and the second
largest in Jeddah) with 556 units ranging from five bedroom villas to studio
apartments. Andalus (K6) has 210 units of varying sizes whilst Marbella
(L6) has 50 apartments and houses and Medina
Road (K5) 20 villas. The
compounds consist of attractive Andalucian style stucco villas, townhouses and
apartments, grouped around sparkling blue swimming pools set in lush gardens.
From bachelor apartments to
three bedroom villas, interiors are furnished to a very high standard.
Sports facilities, floodlit tennis, squash, gymnasiums and bowling are
a short walk from your door or easily accessible using the dedicated bus
service between the compounds.
Sierra
and Andalus both have restaurants
which also offer home delivery and catering for poolside gatherings or dinner
parties. The high staff to
resident ratio ensures the environment is manicured to perfection.
Supermarkets, hairdressing salons, playgrounds and the bus and
limousine services cater for the day-to-day needs of the family.
On Sierra there is also a nursery for children aged six months-three
years, feeding into the on-site preschool for ages three to five.
A weekly newsletter gives details of many activities and events.
Maintenance and security are 24 hours.
Arabian Homes' rates are admittedly in the highest band for accommodation but currently it remains the top address in Jeddah. Contact: Steve Parrott Tel: 682 2201 Fax: 683 5460 email: [email protected] Website: Arabian Homes
Al Basateen Village (F6) is the newest in the market, opened in January 2001. Bordering the Continental School, the 188 villas are made up of four property types, offering spacious and flexible three and four bedroom accommodation, all with maid's quarters, ranging from 215m2 to 355m2 - the largest on any compound in Jeddah. The residents' facilities are comprehensive to say the least:- supermarket, dry cleaners, restaurant with terrace and tea garden, medical clinic, four lane bowling hall with pool tables and snack bar, gymnasium, separate changing rooms each with sauna, steam room and spa, massage room, beauty salon, conference room, large multi-purpose function room, squash courts, floodlit tennis and basketball courts, floodlit multi-purpose court with spectator seating, large centralised swimming pool with wet/dry-side juice/ice cream bar, adjacent partly-shaded children's pool, fully equipped play ground and three supplementary swimming pools. Villas will have digital satellite television with 30 channels and dedicated internet access. Shopping and school buses and a limousine service will also be available. Contact: Tim Redfearn Tel: 699 0999 Fax: 699 1179 email: [email protected]
Lotus
Compounds
offer stylish, top-of the range accommodation in lush verdant surroundings at
three locations in Jeddah. Two of
the compounds, Lotus IV - pink
stucco villas and Lotus II - white
stucco villas and apartments, are situated just west (H5) of the
British-curriculum Jeddah Prep and Grammar School.
The 160 villa Lotus IV Compound follows a French theme, with streets named after
cities in France such as Rue de Lyon and Rue de Paris, grouped around the centrally situated 'Le Club' which houses
the compound's facilities - 25m swimming pool with attractive bamboo
furniture, squash and tennis courts, children's playground and fully-equipped
gym. There is also a mini-mall
with video library, supermarket, beauty salon, nursery, clinic and travel
agent.
The apartments and three and
four bedroom villas are
spacious with marble floors and well-furnished and offer flexible
accommodation. Each villa has a covered car
port. Each compound sports a
large central swimming pool with attractive bamboo furniture, squash and
tennis courts, children's playground and fully-equipped gym.
A limousine service and shopping and school buses are also provided.
In addition, Lotus IV offers
a mini-mall with video library, supermarket, hairdresser, nursery, clinic and
travel agent.
Residents of Lotus Compounds also have priority access to Salhia, the Lotus Beach Resort.
Contact: Rizk Rizk on Tel: 654 8808
Fax: 662 0220
Mura
Bustan
(K5) comprises six adjoining compounds with a total of 230 units, ranging from
one to three bedrooms, east of Madinah Road, near the junction with Sary
Street. Each compound is a large
square, formed by the outward facing houses - each have their own entrance and
carport at the front, accessed via the internal roadway.
The private paved areas at the back of each house open onto large,
landscaped, communal gardens with securely fenced swimming pool. Entertaining
area with built in barbecue and children's playground.
The facilities on Mura Bustan are extensive by any standards - supermarket, restaurant
(that ties with Nueva Andalusia's
for colour scheme!), beauty salon, travel agent, sports shop, 'internet
corner' and 24 hour security, maintenance and reception services.
The village atmosphere is enhanced by the daily mail delivery service
and a centrally-located recreation centre, within walking distance of all the
residents, equipped with snooker and billiard tables, air hockey and table
tennis. In addition there
is a sauna, jacuzzi and mini movie hall, plus four tennis and two squash
courts, a poolside clubhouse ideal for parties, organised activities, in-house
movie channel and 40 satellite television channels.
The compound also runs a nursery and preschool for residents' children
and runs a limousine and shopping bus service
Units are available furnished or unfurnished and Mura Bustan prides itself on its swift and efficient maintenance; many of the staff have been with the company since the compounds were established. Contact: Mohammed Shoukry or Syed Riaz Tel: 691 0041 Click here for their website: Mura Bustan
Sharbatly
Village
(K3) on Prince Majed Street, is almost a small town - 950 villas ranging from
one bedroom to four bedroom executive villas, all with private gardens, spread
over half a million square metres. Properties
are available unfurnished or furnished with different packages to suit any
budget. The newly-built Community Centre and Health Club provides an internet
corner, aerobics studio, gymnasium, community lounge, extensive library and
multi-purpose rooms. Three
additional recreation centres offer indoor and outdoor activities including:
two glass backed air-conditioned squash courts, snooker club, two adults and
two children's swimming pools, two basketball/volleyball/hockey courts,
football pitch, mini golf, skating area, three golf practice nets and a games
room with table tennis, television, billiard table, youth club and two snack
bars that also offer home delivery. Activities
and sporting events are organised for residents.
Other facilities include a supermarket, dental clinic, travel agent, 40
in-house video channels and shopping and school buses.
The overriding advantage of Sharbatly Village is the space - once around the village constitutes a long jog or bike ride - and the privacy afforded by a private, walled garden. Contact: Sales Department Tel: 691 0828 ext4622 or 4604 Fax: 639 3871 email [email protected] website Sharbatly Village
Size isn't everything by the
way! The other compounds follow
in alphabetical order:
Abdullah Compound (H8) comprises seven large Spanish style stucco villas, near the British Consulate, each with a maid's quarter. There is a shared swimming pool, squash court and shopping bus. Contact: Sales Dept Tel: 652 2358 Fax: 653 3939
Al Andalus Luxurious Villas (M6) offers high quality, temporary or long-term villa accommodation at a multi-cultural compound just off Tahlia Street, behind the Suzuki showroom. Furnished to a very high standard the four bedrooms each have their own bathroom. The centrally located Recreation Centre has a complete range of facilities and the on-site restaurant provides home delivery. Contact: Hamady Nacib Tel: 699 5154 Fax: 660 1651
Al
Aoun Village (J4) prides itself on offering the ultimate living
comfort at its location just off Sitteen Street, near the satellite
roundabout. Thirty-four large
three bedroom concrete villas, seven of which are detached, are set around a
central swimming pool, landscaped gardens and a tennis and basketball court.
The villas are elegantly
furnished with an open plan downstairs area comprising lounge, dining area,
fully-equipped kitchen with breakfast room.
In the small garden there is a red brick barbecue.
Upstairs, the master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom and a shaded
terrace - ideal for morning coffee! The
other two bedrooms share a bathroom and there is a spacious roof area.
The compound also offers 17
three bedroom and ten one bedroom prefab units, furnished to the same high
standards. There is a large
central recreation centre with function hall, well-equipped gym, sauna and
large screen video TV. Contact:
Jerry Aguilar Tel 691 0016.
Belleview
(I5) is next to Jeddah Prep and Grammar School and five minutes' drive to the
Continental School. This compound
is a prime example of offering quality not quantity - there are only 26 villas
but they provide the ultimate in comfort and with 300m2, they are
in the top three for size in Jeddah, after Al
Basateen and Hiba Compound.
Each villa has private access from the road via remote control carport
and maid's quarters. The top of the range facilities include a large swimming
pool, children's pool, recreation hall, children's play room, communal
barbecue area, tennis and squash courts, fully-equipped gym, mini-market,
shopping and school buses and limousine service.
Contact: Asghar Khan Tel: 654 7666 Fax: 654 7666 ext101.
Binzagr Villa Compound (N5) is located on Madinah Road, opposite the Juffali Building. A well-maintained family compound, it consists of 74 one to four bedroom units with large swimming pool (heated in the winter!), barbecue area, children's playground, two tennis courts, squash court, health club and a recreation centre with sauna, snooker and pool room and indoor children's playroom. Contact: Clive or Tony Pilgrim, Rohan Badenhorst Tel: 661 1781 Fax: 667 1181 or see the website.
Elite Compound (M6) * NEW * Brand new compound (2002) in the Al Rawdah district consisting of two and three bedroom villas with maids quarters. Looks to be very well equipped with sports centre, satellite TV, internet access, shopping buses, swimming pools, tennis/volleyball court, squash court, community centre and 24 maintenance. Contact the Sales Manager on 02 688 1111 or see the website (turn the volume down on your speakers as the music is somewhat irritating!)..
Fatma Compound (L9) is located west of Saudia City, near the Corniche and offers eight villas with maid's quarters, swimming pool and a squash court. Contact: Sales Dept Tel: 652 2358 Fax: 653 3939
Al
Hajarayn
(H7) is situated in north Jeddah in the Al Shatti district, near to the
Corniche and hotel resorts. The
175 residential units are complemented by a wide range of facilities including
mini-market, restaurant with home delivery, eight swimming pools, five tennis
courts, two squash courts, recreation and fitness rooms and playgrounds.
The compound is within five to ten minutes of several western
expatriate schools as well as being just a short distance from major shopping
malls and restaurants.
Various types and sizes are available from one bedroom studios to four bedroom villas and are offered furnished or unfurnished. Check out the Red Sea Housing homepage Contact: Leasing Department 669 7220 Fax: 669 7224 or email [email protected].
Garden
City
(O6) is tucked away at the junction of Madinah Road and Palestine Street, next
to the new NCB Bank building and New Jeddah Clinic. The villas are large, set amongst lush vegetation with a
pool, tennis and squash courts and children's playground. Contact: Stephen P Cain Tel: 660 7590
Al
Hamra Villas (P7) is a recent addition to the compound market,
near the American Consulate. It
has 18 two bedroom and 8 three bedroom villas, with a swimming pool, tennis
court and well-equipped recreation centre.
Contact: Sales Department Tel: 663 0180
Hiba
Compound
(N6) is centrally located in an attractive residential area, between the
American Consulate and Madinah Road. The
42 luxuriously furnished three bedroom villas are the second largest in the
compound market at 330m2. Each
villa has private shaded parking and maid's quarters. Facilities
include a swimming pool, sauna, fully-equipped gym, two squash courts and a
tennis court, children's playground, satellite television and school and
shopping buses. Contact: Basil
Mubarak Tel: 665 0819 Fax 665 7978.
Kindi
Housing Compound (J4) east of Sitteen Street, near the junction with
Hera'a Street, provides high quality, furnished one, two and three bedroom
properties, each with private parking and landscaped front lawn. The compound facilities provide a perfect blend of activities
and relaxation - sparkling pools and jacuzzi, squash courts, floodlit tennis
court, fitness centre, sauna, billiards, table tennis, basketball court,
children's playground, restaurant and kindergarten school. School and shopping buses are also provided, together with 24
hour maintenance and security. Contact:
Omar Rayan Tel: 691 0884 Fax: 677 0037 ext210
Mosly
Residential Complex (K5) is south-east of Mura
Bustan and comprises 35 units of one, two and three bedroom villas with
children's play area and recreation room.
Contact: Ali Kalifa Tel: 691 0683.
Nada
Village
(K3) is a medium-sized compound, west of Sharbatly
Village, next to the German Embassy School. Villas - from one to four bedrooms - are available furnished
or unfurnished and all have a private garden.
Facilities include a central swimming pool, tennis courts, gymnasium,
mini-markets, supermarket and school buses.
Contact: John van der Heiden Tel: 691 8810.
Nueva
Andalusia (L6)
was new to Jeddah in 1998 and has taken the 'holiday brochure' approach to
find its place in the top ranking compounds.
Located just off Sary Street, behind Jarir
Bookstore, the 33 three-bedroom, three bathroom villas with the requisite
support services and facilities could well be a resort on the Costa Brava with
its architecture and interior design.
The compound is unique
in its attention to detail in its furnishing package - furniture and curtains,
televisions, videos, stereos, food mixers - even plants and pictures and each
open floor-plan house has two telephone lines and private paved area at the
rear.
The central recreation
building shades a beautiful freeform swimming pool and jacuzzi, and houses a
bowling alley, recreation suite, fully-equipped gym, squash court as well as
the poolside Marbella Restaurant - which has the most dazzling décor in
Jeddah! The tennis court has to
be in the most original location - on the roof - and for children there is a
games room and 'Aladdin' room for children's parties and film shows. Contact: Mr Mousa Kaoun Tel: 682 3434
Oasis
I
(L6) is a 20 villa housing compound just north of Prince Abdullah Street - 10
large three bedroom Arabic style villas with maid's quarters and 10 three
bedroom European style townhouses. Facilities
include swimming pool, tennis and squash courts and children's playground.
Contact: Stephen P Cain Tel: 660 7590
Oasis
II and III
(M7) are located opposite the East Gate of Saudia
City on Prince Sultan Street - 12 Spanish style villas with swimming pool
and squash courts. Contact:
Stephen P Cain Tel: 660 7590
Rania
Compound
(H5) is well-equipped for its size with two swimming pools, gym, recreation
room and shopping and school bus services.
There are 20 three-bedroom two-bathroom villa, each with private access
to parking and small garden area, leading onto the communal gardens.
Contact: Sadiq Nimir 660 7103 or Mr Sayed 654 9336.
Rawdah
Compound
(M6) is just south of Prince Abdullah Street in Al Rawdah district. It
comprises 26 units of white
Spanish-style stucco villas that face onto the street with private entrance
and car port and back on to a small private garden and community pool.
There is also a tennis court, squash court and children's playground.
It is identical to and situated beside Siham
Compound but each are managed by different companies.
Contact: Stephen P Cain Tel 660 7590.
Red
Sea Compounds are dotted all over Jeddah. From small and compact to large and spacious, Red Sea offers
a wide range of properties to choose from and all at affordable rates.
At present, Red Sea manages nine compounds Kingdom-wide, with
properties in Jeddah, Al Khobar, Jubail and Yanbu.
Red Sea's Property Management
Portfolio continues to add new properties, with the latest addition being Al
Hajarayn Village'- see separate listing above.
Contact: Leasing Department 669 7220 Fax: 669 7224.
Website: Red
Sea Housing
Reem
Compound
(K6) is a three-storey apartment complex consisting of six buildings with six
two bedroom two bathroom apartments in each, grouped around a communal pool
area with large swimming pool, children's pool and flourishing garden.
Contact: Sadiq Nimir 660 7103 or Mr Hassan 682 9195.
Al
Rumaih Compound (F7) with its distinctive red, blue, green and
yellow shutters is just fifty metres from the Corniche, 3km north of the
Sheraton Hotel - ideal for walks along the beach at sunset!
children's playground.
Al
Rumaih
has 92 furnished villas and apartments, split into two and three bedroom
accommodation with a swimming pool, children's pool, tennis and squash courts,
recreation hall, gym and satellite television.
Water pressure is assured by Al Rumaih's own water tower!
Contact: Sales Department Tel: 699 1259 or 699 1231 ext 300
Al Salam Compound (O2) in Al Rehab district, north of Palestine Street near the Makkah-Madinah Expressway is a comfortably sized compound with wide roadways and lots of trees and shrubs. It has 64 large, single-storey three bedroom villas, each with good-sized private gardens, a rarity in Jeddah. Facilities include a 25m pool (half Olympic size!), newly-renovated gymnasium, tennis and basketball courts and mini-market. Specifically for children, there is a park and sandpit, and a Clubhouse with library, ping pong, pool table and play stations. There are also free school and daily shopping buses. Contact: Mohammed Kandil Tel: 671 7121 Fax: 672 3767 email: [email protected]
Salmia
Compound
(R1) is situated just east of the Makkah-Madinah Expressway, near Sulaimania
Shopping Centre and the Abrug Al-Rughama Flag. The semi-detached units and the
apartments are spacious and there are extensive communal gardens.
There are two swimming pools, tennis and squash courts and children's
playground as well as daily school and shopping bus services.
Contact: Bruce Drake Tel:
6401 0023
Sari
Palms Compound (K9) is a recently-built, luxurious compound,
close to the Corniche. It has 22
units of three-bedroom villas and 16 units of two-bedroom duplex apartments.
A lush landscaped garden surrounds a freeform swimming pool with
adjoining children's pool, tennis courts and recreation centre, equipped with
squash courts, gym and club room. Contact:
Steven P Cain Tel: 660 7590.
Saudia
City
(L8) is the large housing compound for the personnel of Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier.
Mainly self-contained with shops and sports facilities, a few
residential apartments have been made available to non-airline employees.
Contact: Housing office 682 0030 ext 4353.
Shaker
Village Compound (I6) is on the eastbound side of Prince Sultan
Street, just north of the History Roundabout on Hera'a Street. Shaker Village has
been carefully designed to offer expatriates a high standard of living
accommodation within a comfortable community environment.
The deluxe villas and apartments are available furnished, semi- or
unfurnished. Residents have the
use of many facilities and services including a swimming pool, private
parking, two exercise rooms, clubhouse, tennis and squash courts, 23 satellite
channels, split unit air-conditioning, children's playground, shopping and
school buses, organised activities and events, a private beach club and 24
hour security. Contact: Sameer
Rahmeh Tel: 622 6818 ext 401 Fax: 622 6818 ext 405
Siham
Compound
(M6) adjacent to Rawdah Compound,
just south of Prince Abdullah Street. Its
offers identical accommodation - 26 units of white Spanish-style stucco
villas with private entrance and car port, backing on to a small private
garden and community pool. There
is also a tennis court, squash court and children's playground.
Contact: Sales Dept Tel: 652 2358 Fax: 653 3939
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* *
* * *
*
OUTSIDE
JEDDAH
Apart from the compounds
listed above, there are several located just outside Jeddah, which can offer
an away-from-it-all environment. Rental
rates are less than one would pay within the city limits, to reflect the
additional commuting time.
Azzam
Compound
is situated on the road to Usfan near the Madinah Road intersection with the
Makkah-Madinah Expressway, north of Jeddah.
Villas are well-built and have the usual facilities.
Contact: Sales Department Tel: 694 0930 ext 2002.
Dive
Village
(A6) is located in Obhur, about 25 minutes drive from central Jeddah.
The western managed compound's services include housekeeping, laundry,
shopping and school buses and satellite television.
What sets it apart is the onsite private beach and marina offering boat
charters, dive shops and water sports. There
is also a swimming pool, gymnasium, multi-purpose court, games room,
restaurant and mini-market. Contact:
Greg Gillespie Tel: 656 1416 Fax: 656 1288.
Golf
Village overlooks
the 9-hole grass golf course at Durrat
Al Arus, 50 minutes north of Jeddah.
The three bedroom villas (15) and townhouses (100) offer palatial
accommodation, each with their own swimming pool, private walled garden and
separate maid's quarters. Additional
facilities and services in the Durrat Al
Arus Resort include equestrian academy, marina, hotel, shops and
restaurants, school and shopping buses, beach club with access to diving and
fishing. Rental rates
are comparable with the top compounds in Jeddah.
Contact: Sales Department Tel: 618 1600
Fax: 618 1660
M
& M Compound is north of Obhur Creek, on the 'Beach Club' road.
A medium sized compound with plenty of greenery, it offers European
style villas with the usual facilities and services.
Contact: Sales Department Tel: 656 2145
Rose
Village
(A6) A large compound, covering 300,000m2 in North Obhur,
accommodation is offered in 280 two, three and four bedroom detached villas
and 30 two bedroom apartments. There
is a large swimming pool, chidlren's splash pool, poolside snack bar, four
tennis courts, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, air-conditioned
squash and racquet ball court, gymnasium, exercise room, baseball and football
pitches, golf driving range, billiards, table tennis, children's playground
and activity room, supermarket, restaurant and library.
A limousine service and school and shopping buses are also available.
Contact: Mr Soufiane Yassine Tel: 656 2501 ext 5828 Fax: 656 2209