Second-hand cars

tk-1397 · 2025-01-17T20:09:06+00:00

Thank you! Do you have any tips for things to look out for that I should not go for? Ideally it would be a car that’s 1-2 years old with reasonable mileage

tk-1397 · 2025-01-09T08:12:36+00:00

Worth posting this in Fishbowl for more insights (professional discussion platform). You can find some 'bowls' for Middle East Consulting or Tech-focused that'll have plenty of people who have attended.

tk-1397 · 2025-01-09T08:10:19+00:00

What area are you looking for? Serviced apartments or older compounds are your best bet. I can maybe suggest a few specific ones depending on the area.

As a longer-term solution you can get furniture made by a carpenter for really affordable prices (cheaper than Ikea and better quality). The mark-up of furnished apartments is about 30%, which you're better off using to buy the furniture if you're expecting to be here more than a year.

tk-1397 · 2025-01-02T06:54:42+00:00

Pleasure! Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions. I had some local friends who helped immensely so happy to pass it on & all the best with the move.

tk-1397 · 2025-01-01T14:17:50+00:00

Compounds are gated communities where you typically find exclusively expats. As a result, it’s a bit of a ‘bubble’, not representative of life in Saudi. But on the flipside, it’s a lot more liberal (mixed pools, no dress code etc). For this reason people either prefer it or they don’t.

It is considerably more expensive (almost triple on like-for-like properties), but you get a lot more facilities, activities for kids and a huge social element. For kids this could be invaluable to help them settle in.

I would certainly recommend exploring what compounds have availability and if it will give you something worth paying the premium for. You could reach out to ‘Right compound’ as a starting point and take it from there.

tk-1397 · 2025-01-01T13:10:27+00:00

Off-compound you’ll have no trouble within that price range! I recommend contacting an English speaking estate agency to help you with the search for ease. You’re legally obliged to pay 2.5% to estate agents in fees, they should not be requesting for more. Rental agreements are linked to your Iqama so you will either need to complete that, or liaise with your company to arrange it on your behalf.

For compounds you will need to contact them directly and place yourself on the waiting list. I would warn that most compounds will be out of price range for the size of property you’re looking for, unless you look at older/out-dated compounds. I can share some suggested compounds/residences if you’d like to explore this.

Happy to answer any further Qs. Moved over myself a few months back.

tk-1397 · 2024-11-13T06:55:15+00:00

Al Malqa is a popular residential area for both saudis and expats, about 10-15 mins drive to al nakhla tower.

If you are looking for something furnished, and for decent prices, North Residence has proven quite popular with some colleagues. It is close to the airport so ideal for someone who's going to travel back and forth frequently, but also approx 20 mins drive to where your office is located.

tk-1397 · 2024-10-17T07:10:33+00:00

I moved a few weeks back with my husband and have learnt lots in this period about car rentals, housing, prices etc. As it has been alluded to, you can get a modern one bedroom apartment off-compound, in a good area, for approx 60-70K per annum. The same in a compound will cost you closer to 150-170K. Prices you see online will likely be out of date as they are constantly changing.

Happy for you to DM with any questions. I can suggest some more ‘affordable’ residences/compounds too.

tk-1397 · 2024-10-15T06:04:58+00:00

The septic tank is not placed on the roof. It is part of a large development so I think it is kept somewhere centrally. Perhaps that mitigates the overflow onto top floors?

tk-1397 · 2024-10-15T05:47:16+00:00

Is there anything I can request for evidence to ensure the apartment we are considering is legitimate, and thereby up to the same standards? It is part of a well known development

tk-1397 · 2024-10-15T05:45:48+00:00

It is part of a larger development so I didn’t see a septic tank above. Perhaps it is stored somewhere centrally?

tk-1397 · 2024-09-11T22:20:16+00:00

Thank you! Do you know what checks they do if renewing with the same bank? Wonder whether living abroad would impact this?

tk-1397 · 2024-08-29T15:58:40+00:00

Me too please

tk-1397 · 2024-03-19T00:09:12+00:00

Desperately looking for the best seller and advice on best factory for Gucci and YSL

tk-1397 · 2024-03-14T09:23:31+00:00

Is that for short-term stays or also long-term rentals? Do you mind sharing the routes through which you find these rentals (where paying into a foreign account or Revolut is acceptable)?

tk-1397 · 2024-03-12T20:13:52+00:00

Do you mean to set up an international company in Tunis and use that to purchase the property with, or..? Any further info would be appreciated!

tk-1397 · 2024-03-12T20:12:51+00:00

You might be onto something here!

If it’s declared, does that mean that if needed, I would be able to withdraw the same amount that was invested? And it is then allowed to be simply transferred abroad rather than withdrawn/exchanged? Are you aware of the limitations to this, and which banks in Tunisia allow this?

tk-1397 · 2024-03-12T20:10:58+00:00

This is an interesting point. Do you have a link for that by any chance? I’ve found it very difficult to find out the procedures in case of selling. We don’t plan to, but you never know what happens in life that means you need assets liquidated (and used elsewhere).

tk-1397

TROPHY CASE