Housing
One of the most attractive benefits to working in Saudi
Arabia is that fully furnished accommodations are provided
rent and utility free.
Most complexes have gym and pool amenities. Those without
these amenities have access to one of the nearby
complexes'. Female staff also have the option of using the gym
amenities at Palm Villas (Family Housing) for a fee of SR100/month
(about US$27). Also, all hospital staff have the option of
purchasing a membership with the Employee Social Club for
full access to their gym, pool and social events.
Basic Cable (65 channels) is available at the cost of SR65/month (US$17).
Internet access may also be purchased for SR175/month (US$47).
Housing assignments are not issued until the week of travel.
Special requests for housing can be made; however, we cannot
guarantee that you will receive the housing complex of your
choice.
The following is a brief tour of housing at The King Faisal
Specialist Hospital in Riyadh. You can also see more photos
in the Housing
Gallery:
Complex E Single Female Housing
Complex E houses single female hospital employees in
one and two bedroom apartments. The complex shares a central
courtyard pool/jacuzzi area, perfect for laying in the sun
or relaxing after your shift at the hospital.
Building amenities include:
- Communal laundry room on every floor;
- Sitting area and computer room on ground floor;
- Gym;
- Pool;
- Jacuzzi;
- Two bedroom apartments come with two bathrooms
Complex C Single Male Housing
Complex C houses single male hospital employees in
one and two bedroom apartments. The complexes share a central
courtyard pool/jacuzzi area, perfect for laying in the sun
or relaxing after your shift at the hospital.
Building amenities include:
- Communal laundry room on every floor;
- Sitting area and computer room on ground floor;
- Gym;
- Pool;
- Jacuzzi;
- Two bedroom apartments come with two bathrooms
Complexes F, G, H Single Female Housing
Complex F is home to 440 studio/bachelor style units for single
females.
Complex G is the mirror image of F, though slightly newer, with
staff beginning occupancy in 2012.
Complex H opened in 2016/17, adjacent to G, and has 10 floors with single (unshared) accommodations.
Building amenities include:
- Laundry facilities on each floor;
- Pool;
- Gym;
- Common sitting area and computer room
Complex B Single Female Housing
These units are rarely open to newly arrived nurses.
The true meaning of a "Bachelor" (or studio-style) apartment.
This low-rise with 96 single occupancy units for single female
employees, sits just steps from the main hospital. In
addition to the bachelor units, there are 12 one-bedroom
units which are reserved for physicians visiting the
hospital on a locum.
The building has a computer room on the main floor. Residents use the gym, pool, and tennis courts at the Social Club, next door.
Men have the option of taking a housing allowance and finding an apartment off-site.
Until 2014, this was for males.
Complex A Single Female Housing
These units are rarely open to newly arrived nurses.
Complex A was recently renovated to house women on single-status contracts.
It is identical to the women's Complex B (above), so is made up of small single-occupancy bachelor/studio
units, as well as a small number of one-bedroom units for higher grade staff.
The building has a computer room on the mail floor. Residents can use the gym and pool at Complex C next door. (See write-up on C above.)
Complex D Single Female Housing
Out front of Complex D, which houses single female hospital
employees, we stopped to speak with an RN returning from her
most recent hospital shift. She and her housemate "hit it
off from day one" and she has been very happy with her
current accommodations. We were, again, reminded that it can
take some time (an average of three months) to become fully
comfortable in your new living situation.
Building amenities include:
- Two bedroom units;
- Two washrooms;
- Ensuite washer/dryer;
- Pool;
- Gym;
- Tennis Courts
Want a Look?
Take a look at the gallery of housing photos or the video of our visit to Complex E.