🇸🇦 Jeddah,
Saudi Arabia
#142
Nomad Score
6.2
Coords
21.5504432, 39.1742363
Likes
👍 0 👎 0
Actions
ESSENTIALS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏙️ City | Jeddah, Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 4,800,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average 150 Mbps (5G widely available via STC and Mobily) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Saudi Riyal (SAR). 1 USD ≈ 3.75 SAR (pegged) |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not recommended for drinking; most residents use bottled or 5-gallon delivery (approx. 15 SAR) |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK standard) |
| 📶 SIM Card | STC (Sawa), Mobily, and Zain. Available at JED airport for approx. 100 SAR for 20GB |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Al Rajhi Bank, SNB (AlAhli), and digital banks like STC Pay or Urpay |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Short-stay: Gathern (local Airbnb), Booking.com. Long-stay: Aqar app |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, Mada (local debit) and Apple Pay are accepted everywhere including small shops |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Radisson Blu Hotel Apartments, Al Rawdah (approx. 6,000 SAR/month) |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Habitat Hotel or local 'Furnished Apartments' in Al Salamah district (approx. 250 SAR/night) |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Al Balad (Historic District) for culture or Jeddah Corniche for luxury hotels |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Al Rawdah or Ash Shati; trendy districts with the best cafes and walking paths |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | The Spot (Al Rawdah) - approx. 1,200 SAR/month; White Space (Business Park) |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Brew92 (Al Khayyat) or Medd Cafe & Roastery (Corniche) - wide desks and high-speed Wi-Fi |
| 💼 Networking Events | Astra Tech meetups and Monsha'at (SME Authority) events at the Jeddah Chamber |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | InterNations Jeddah chapter and recurring events at the British or French Consulates |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber, Careem (local favorite), and Kaiian |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Hop On (Scooters) available along the Jeddah Corniche; approx. 1 SAR per minute |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Obhur Al-Shamaliyah (private beach clubs like Indigo or Silver Sands; entry 150-300 SAR) |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | flyadeal (low cost) or flynas (hybrid carrier) |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) - Hub at JED Terminal 1 |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Route 15 (Haramain Expressway) and Route 5 (Coastal Road) |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Jeddah Al-Sulimaniyah Station (Haramain High-Speed Railway to Mecca/Medina) |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | SAPTCO Bus network; mostly used for regional travel or limited city routes (3-5 SAR per trip) |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Haramain Train to Medina (2 hours, approx. 150 SAR Business Class) |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏥 Best Hospital | International Medical Center (IMC) - Al Ruwais; Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Studio 5 (Al Khalidiyyah) and Karama Yoga |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Time (Pro or Plus) - branches city-wide; approx. 400-600 SAR/month |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Clean Line or 'Al Jaber Laundry' branches (standard shirt wash approx. 5-10 SAR) |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | HungerStation, Jahez, and ToYou |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Al Baik (Broasted Chicken) - iconic local chain; Selling for approx. 18 SAR |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Boga Super Foods (Salads) and Moon Shell (Vegan/Acai) in Al Rawdah |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Hassan Bakery (傳統) or Helen’s Bakery (American style) in Al Khalidiyyah |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Lulu Hypermarket or Danubian for high-end groceries |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.sa and Noon.com |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Nana App or Ninja (delivery in 15 minutes) |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | No alcohol permitted. Social 'nightlife' centers on high-end lounges in Ash Shati |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Non-alcoholic only. Try 'Moussy' or 'Barbican' from local supermarkets |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Mocktail bars like Myazu (upmarket) or COYA Jeddah |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Al Balad historical area for 'Balilah' (chickpeas) and 'Kebda' (liver) sandwiches |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Piatto (Italian) or Section-B (Gourmet Burgers) |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | King Fahd’s Fountain (tallest in the world) and Al-Rahma Floating Mosque |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Hayy Jameel (Contemporary Arts) and Tayebat City Museum |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Al-Balad (UNESCO World Heritage Site) with Coral Houses |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Jaffali Mosque and King Saud Mosque |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Jeddah Season (Summer) and the Red Sea International Film Festival (December) |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Al-Balad and the newly developed Historic Jeddah Waterfront |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Jeddah Superdome or the theater within Hayy Jameel |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Souq Al Alawi (oldest in Jeddah) and Souq Al Shatea |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Anghami Lab or live music events at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit |
| 🎨 Street Art | Street art initiatives in the Al-Balad district restoration projects |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Kitchen Lab (occasional workshops in Al Zahra district) |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Athr Gallery (one of Saudi's most influential contemporary spaces) |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Nassif House (Beit Nassif) in Al-Balad |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Hijazi culture, famous for 'Roshan' wooden window lattices |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Moon Valley (Jabal al Jadib) for desert camping and hiking (1 hour North) |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Saiysad National Park (in nearby Taif, 2.5 hours drive) |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Jeddah Corniche (New Waterfront) - 30km of dedicated paths |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Jeddah Waterfront at sunset looking at the Red Sea |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Al-Arbaeen Lagoon nearby Al Balad |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Asfan Desert areas (popular with local 4x4 enthusiasts) |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex, SMSA Express, and DHL |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Aleph (Apple Authorized) or stalls in 'Al Baroom Center' |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Social centers like 'The Hub' or local sports clubs |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Effat University (Short courses) or Berlitz Jeddah |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | King Abdulaziz Public Library |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Hayy Jameel (Art and community workshops) |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | G-Rush and Glitch (digital entertainment centers) |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | None (strictly prohibited by law) |
BUSINESS
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 10,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 400,000 SAR) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 7,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 280,000 SAR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 9,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 570,000 SAR) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 6,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 390,000 SAR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 8,500 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 680,000 SAR) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 6,000 SAR per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 480,000 SAR) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% (Zakat of 2.5% applies to Saudi/GCC nationals) |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Territorial (income sourced within KSA); No personal income tax for employees |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 0% (There is no personal income tax) |
| 🧾 VAT | 15% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No specific CFC rules currently in force |
| 🏠 Property Tax | No annual property tax (White Land Tax applies only to undeveloped urban plots) |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 5% Real Estate Transaction Tax (RETT) |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | 0% tax on personal income; Saudi Premium Residency options for long-term stay |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING JEDDAH