We just moved from our hotel digs to a 5-bedroom villa. The setup in KSA is that long-term villa rentals require long-term (6 month) deposits, are unfurnished, and require tenants to provide the kitchen cabinetry and air conditioners (especially if the villa is new). The 6 month deposit is the toughest issue, because in KSA you never really know the status of your contract, if you're moving, or something else happens that makes honoring the lease impossible; in which case, the deposit is lost.
The upside of moving is that whatever the difference is between the rental and the housing allowance provided by our company can be kept by us in addition to our salary. And the savings in this case were substantial enough to justify the move.
Of course, there were some growing pains: we still don't hot water in 2 out 3 bathrooms; we had a difficult time deciding on appliances: buy used, which is cheaper, but also subject to warranty issues (caveat emptor), and also locating the seller (which in Riyadh with its myriads of unnamed streets is a HUGE headache). We ended up buying new, which was far more convenient, easy to locate, and have no warranty issues. The price was ok. As well, we still need to work out our sharing of space: fridge space, kitchen sharing, showering/cooking schedules, allocation of housekeeping responsibilities. And then there are the issues with the building itself: an overflowing drain, electrical malfunctions (lights not working, etc), cleaning (floor was filthy when we moved in). At times it feels like we are camping: nowhere to sit while eating, blogging/skyping difficult at home without a desk and chair.
In any case, the key here is to solve problems. Complaining about it takes more time than simply fixing it yourself. And, KSA really is a third world country in many respects, so developing a sense of patience with the problems that inevitably arise (along with a sense of humor), is essential for holding onto your sanity.
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