Best Areas to Live in Riyadh for Expats — Neighbourhood Guide 2026

How to Choose Your Area — Key Factors

Before looking at specific neighbourhoods, decide what matters most to your lifestyle:

• Commute to work — Riyadh traffic is heavy during rush hours. Living close to your office saves hours per week.
• Schools — if you have children, proximity to your preferred international school is often the deciding factor
• Budget — housing allowances vary significantly by employer. Know your monthly budget before viewing anything.
• Lifestyle preferences — some areas are walkable and social, others are quiet residential suburbs
• Family vs single — single expats often prefer central areas while families tend toward quieter northern districts

Area 1 — Al Olaya / Al Sulaimaniyah (Central Business District)

Al Olaya is Riyadh's main commercial spine — the King Fahd Road corridor with the Kingdom Tower and most major corporate offices. Al Sulaimaniyah sits just behind it with more residential character.

• Best for: Single professionals, finance and corporate workers, those who prefer walkability
• Typical rent: SAR 40,000–80,000 per year for apartments, SAR 80,000–150,000 for larger units
• Pros: Walking distance to major offices, restaurants, malls — Kingdom Centre, Al Faisaliah, Panorama Mall all within reach
• Cons: Heavy traffic, limited green space, older building stock in some pockets, expensive
• Metro access: Good — Al Olaya Metro station on Line 1

Area 2 — Diplomatic Quarter (DQ)

The Diplomatic Quarter is a purpose-built gated compound area in western Riyadh housing embassies and a large expat residential community. It is genuinely unlike the rest of Riyadh — green, walkable and self-contained with its own shops, gyms, restaurants and parks.

• Best for: Families, embassy staff, those wanting the most expat-friendly environment
• Typical rent: SAR 80,000–180,000 per year — premium pricing for the lifestyle
• Pros: Green walking paths, family-friendly atmosphere, excellent security, international community feel, running tracks and parks
• Cons: Expensive, limited housing stock, long waitlists for some units, commute to eastern business districts can be long
• Metro access: Limited — DQ has its own internal transport but Metro access requires driving to a station

Area 3 — Al Nakheel / Al Malqa (North Riyadh)

North Riyadh's Al Nakheel and Al Malqa districts have become increasingly popular with expat families over the past decade. Modern villas and apartments, good schools nearby and a quieter residential atmosphere make these areas attractive for families.

• Best for: Families with school-age children, those wanting newer construction and more space
• Typical rent: SAR 60,000–120,000 per year for villas, SAR 35,000–65,000 for apartments
• Pros: Good international schools nearby (ISKL, ISR, British International School), newer buildings, less congested than central Riyadh, family-friendly community
• Cons: Car dependent — everything requires driving, commute to central business district can be 30–45 minutes in traffic
• Metro access: Limited — mostly car dependent

Area 4 — Al Hamra / Hittin (Northwest)

The northwest corridor including Al Hamra and Hittin has seen significant development in recent years with newer villa compounds and apartment complexes. It sits between the central district and the airport which can be convenient for frequent travelers.

• Best for: Families wanting newer construction, frequent flyers, those employed in northwestern business parks
• Typical rent: SAR 55,000–100,000 for villas, SAR 30,000–55,000 for apartments
• Pros: Newer buildings, relatively less congested, reasonable airport proximity, good shopping malls including Riyadh Park nearby
• Cons: Newer area so community feel still developing, car essential for everything
• Metro access: Moderate — some coverage via Metro Line 4

Area 5 — Al Wurud / Granada (East Riyadh)

Al Wurud and the Granada area in east Riyadh offer more affordable options while remaining reasonably connected to major business areas. Popular with mid-level expat professionals and South Asian expat communities who have been in Riyadh for years.

• Best for: Those on tighter housing budgets, expats working in eastern business areas
• Typical rent: SAR 25,000–55,000 per year — most affordable of the expat-popular areas
• Pros: Good value, established community, decent shopping and dining options nearby including Granada Mall
• Cons: Older building stock in parts, heavier traffic on main arteries, less international school options nearby
• Metro access: Good — several stations on Metro Line 2

Riyadh Housing — Practical Tips

• Rent is typically paid annually upfront — in Saudi Arabia it is very common to pay 1, 2 or 3 cheques for the full year. Monthly payment options exist but are less common and often attract a premium. Budget for this upfront cost.
• Compound vs apartment vs villa — compounds offer recreational facilities and a community environment but at higher cost. Standalone villas give space but require more maintenance management. Apartments are most affordable.
• Check what is included — some rentals include water, electricity and internet. Others do not. SEWA/SEC utility bills can be significant in Riyadh summers with air conditioning running continuously.
• Use Aqar or Property Finder — these are the main online property portals in Saudi Arabia. Most landlords and real estate agents list on these platforms.

Area Comparison at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions