Relocating to Saudi Arabia as a Single Expat: Challenges and Opportunities
Moving to a new country is always exciting. For many people, it is their first time outside the country, whereas, for some people, it is their dream to work in a foreign land. Especially if you are young and single and moving to a new country, you are at the top of the world and look forward to living new experiences and enjoying your new life in a new country.
However, when moving alone and single-handedly to a completely new nation, you are met with some challenges and some benefits as well. In this blog, Kingdom International Movers, one of the best movers in Saudi Arabia, will take you through the challenges and opportunities you will face as a single expat moving to the country. So read until the end without missing any parts.
Let us first Discuss Opportunities of Moving to Saudi Arabia
Professional Growth
Leading international movers in Saudi Arabia, such as Kingdom International Movers, have seen a sharp rise in the number of young expats moving to the country. Saudi Arabia is one of the strongest economies in the world, and the nation has seen a stable government and several favorable economic policies for growth and development.
The government of Saudi Arabia has planned Vision 2030, under which several development projects are being undertaken. The 2030 mission primarily focuses on diversifying the economy through different sources such as IT, real estate development, health care, and tourism. As a result, you will witness phenomenal professional growth when you move to the country.
Tax-free Income
Another major benefit young and single expats get when moving to the country is no tax on income. Most packers and movers in Saudi Arabia say that several European and Asian ex-pats are interested in moving to the country because of this fantastic advantage.
When you are young and have just begun a career, you have aspirations and dreams for the future. For such aspirations, when you save on taxes, you get a rich source of capital to finance your future endeavors. Whether you dream of opening your consultancy back in your hometown or have always wanted to start your own business, the savings on taxes will be very helpful to you. So this big opportunity should be enough for you to begin planning your relocation to Riyadh or Jeddah. Read our blog on 7 professional tips to protect your upcoming move. The blog will help you relocate safely to any international destination.
Exposure to Different Cultures
Similar to UAE, Saudi Arabia in the past decade has become extremely expat-friendly, and as a result, you will find people of many nationalities and cultures here. In addition to the Islamic population, you will find a large number of Indians belonging to different Indian regions, the Pakistani population, the Bangladeshi population, and a lot of European ex-pats. All of these different people give you exposure to new cultures and their unique traditions, and tasting delicious food is a big bonus that you will get. Living and working in Saudi Arabia will be like a world tour for you. If all this motivates you to pack your bags and move to Riyadh, then read our blog on the list of essentials you will need on moving day to make relocation easy for you.
Now Let Us Take a Look at the Challenges
Gender Segregation
This can be particularly difficult for single expats moving to Saudi Arabia. In several public areas, workplaces, and even on public transportation, the country observes gender segregation. This may be especially difficult for single ex-pats since it may limit social connections and networking opportunities. However, this shouldn’t deter you from considering moving to the country. When you choose the right location for your house, you may bond well with your neighbors and build connections. If you aren’t sure which area is suitable for your residence, then your moving company in Riyadh can help you find the right location.
Limited Entertainment Options
Most professional movers and packers in Riyadh have said that a lack of entertainment is the biggest hurdle singles face in the country. Despite efforts to widen its entertainment alternatives, Saudi Arabia may still seem to have few choices when compared to more liberal nations. For expats looking for recreational activities, the lack of movie theaters and several other venues can be problematic. But this is 2023, and we are living in the digital era. There may not be many large-scale public activities, but you can always use digital entertainment options in your private residence. You can invite your colleagues to watch matches and have dinner with them. Or you can even organize parties within your apartment (of course, they must be alcohol-free). If you have planned to move to Saudi Arabia by now, then read our blog on why you should consider moving in the off-season.
Cultural Adjustments
Saudi Arabia has a rich religious and cultural history, and the government expects everybody to respect the traditions and even follow them. However, the government doesn’t enforce or compel expats to follow all traditions. Generally, it is expected that you respect the local traditions.
It can be quite difficult to adjust to the traditional rules, social mores, and Islamic traditions, especially for single ex-pats coming from more liberal countries. But movers in Riyadh suggest that if you invest a little in understanding the basics of tradition, it won’t be drastic or difficult to follow the rules.
Concluding Lines
As a single ex-pat moving to Saudi Arabia, there will be several opportunities and obstacles that might affect your personal and professional career. The opportunities are great when we see them in terms of job growth, financial advantages, and cultural immersion, which can be significant even though relocating to a foreign country can seem difficult at first. Single expats moving to Saudi Arabia for the first time can make their relocation journey happy and stress-free by hiring one of the best professional moving companies in Riyadh.
