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

MCV Single Female Villas

Donna Radey, our expert in nurse recruitment, was first introduced to Helen Ziegler when she travelled to Saudi Arabia as a recovery room RN. During her stay at the hospital, she was housed in MCV complex and speaks very highly of her experience. She preferred the convenience of living in such close proximity to the main hospital, and often enjoyed her morning coffee on her private patio.

Building amenities include:

• Ensuite washer/dryer;
• 259 units;
• Small backyard;
• Pool;
• Hot tub

KAC Single Female and Family Housing

During our visits to Riyadh in 2009, we were housed in a three bedroom apartment in KAC. The apartment was very spacious and conveniently located just across the street from the main hospital gate. The top floor of the complex is reserved for single females, who share the building amenities with families.

Building amenities include:

• Two and three bedroom apartments;
• Ensuite washer/dryer;
• Pool;
• Tennis Court;
• Playground

Single Male Housing

Males are housed at one of two locations: Takhassusi Complex or Granada.

Takhassusi is a few minutes up the street from the hospital. You can see photos of the Takhassusi housing in the photo gallery, photos number 45-54.

Granada Village is a private residential compound approximately a 25-45 minute shuttle bus ride from the hospital.

Want a Look?

Take a look at the gallery of housing photos or the video of our visit to Complex E.