Jeddah, Saudi Arabia πΈπ¦
#142
21.581008, 39.165361
Nomad Score:
59%
Essentials
ποΈ City | Jeddah is a major city in Saudi Arabia, located on the Red Sea. |
π₯ Population | Approximately 4 million people. |
π» Internet Speed | Average speed is around 100 Mbps. |
πΈ Currency & Banking | 1 SAR (Saudi Riyal) β 0.27 USD, widely accepted credit cards. |
π° Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
π Power | 230V, 50Hz, π Type G sockets. |
πΆ SIM Card | STC, Mobily, and Zain are major providers. |
π³ Banking for Expats | Services available through major banks like ANB and Alrajhi Bank. |
π Accommodation | Options include hotels, serviced apartments, and villa rentals. |
π³ Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards are accepted widely. |
π Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local property management companies such as Stay Jeddah. |
ποΈ Budget Accommodation | Options like Al-Haram Hotel and Al-Balad Hotel. |
Working and Networking
π’ Best Coworking Space | Qasar Al-Maghrabi Coworking Space. |
β Best Cafe for Work | CafΓ© Wadi, known for its calm environment. |
πΌ Networking Events | Frequent meetups organized by the Saudi Entrepreneurs Club. |
π₯ Social Events for Expats | Facebook Groups like 'Expats in Jeddah' organize regular gatherings. |
Transportation
π Best Taxi/Ride App | Careem and Uber are commonly used. |
π² Bike/Scooter Rental | Limited options; most prefer ride-hailing. |
ποΈ Best Beach Nearby | Corniche Beach, easily accessible. |
βοΈ Top Regional Airline | Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia). |
βοΈ Top International Airline | Emirates and Qatar Airways. |
π£οΈ Highway Access | Salman Al-Farsi Road provides good connectivity. |
π Main Train/Transit Hub | Al Haramain High Speed Railway Station for travel to Mecca and Medina. |
π Public Transport Passes | N/A, public transport is limited; taxis are preferred. |
βοΈ Regional Travel | Bus services are available via SAPTCO. |
Health and Wellness
π₯ Best Hospital | King Fahd Hospital. |
π§ Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga and Wellness Center Jeddah offers various classes. |
ποΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Time and Gold's Gym are popular. |
π§Ί Laundry Services | 24-hour laundromats available across the city. |
Food and Drink
π± Best Food Delivery App | Talabat and HungerStation. |
π½οΈ Best Local Dish to Try | Mandi - a traditional rice dish with meat. |
π± Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Earth's Kitchen and Sprout Cafe. |
π« Best Dessert Spots | Patisserie Nuxe and Ghirardelli Chocolate. |
π Affordable Shopping Spots | Souq Al Alawi for local foods. |
π E-commerce/Online Store | Noon.com and souq.com. |
π Grocery Delivery | Carrefour offers home delivery services. |
πΈ Bar/Nightlife Area | Hilton Jeddah Beach Resort has popular nightlife spots. |
π» Local Brewery | Alcohol is not legalized; local drinks are non-alcoholic. |
π· Wine Bars | Not applicable as alcohol is prohibited. |
π² Street Food Stalls | Street vendors at Al-Balad sell traditional dishes. |
π Popular International Cuisine | Italian, Indian, and Asian cuisines are widely available. |
Culture and Attractions
ποΈ Must-See Landmarks | King Fahd Fountain and Jeddah Waterfront. |
ποΈ Museums & Art Venues | The Abdul Raouf Khalil Museum. |
π° Historical Sites | Al-Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
π Religious Sites | The Floating Mosque (Al Rahma Mosque). |
π Annual Events | Jeddah Season offers various cultural events. |
π¨ Cultural Districts | Al-Balad and Corniche area for cultural experiences. |
π Theater Venues | Cultural Palace hosts performances and events. |
ποΈ Local Markets | Souq Al Alawi for local shopping. |
πΌ Music Scene | Live music in hotels; check local listings. |
π¨ Street Art | Art installations along the Corniche. |
π§βπ³ Cooking Classes | Cooking classes available through local culinary schools. |
π©βπ¨ Art Galleries | Nahla Gallery and Athr Gallery for contemporary art. |
π°οΈ Historic Buildings | Bait Al-Nassef is a historical building to explore. |
π΄ Local Heritage | Traditional architecture in Al-Balad showcases local heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
π Nearby Nature Escapes | Wadi Namar and other parks. |
ποΈ National Parks Nearby | Farasan Islands Marine Protected Area is accessible via ferry. |
π² Cycling/Walking Paths | Walkway along the Jeddah Corniche. |
π Scenic Viewpoints | Views from the Jeddah Waterfront promenades. |
π¦ Birdwatching Locations | Mangrove forests near Obhur. |
π₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beach areas near the Corniche during approved seasons. |
Other Services and Amenities
π¦ Parcel Delivery Service | Aramex and DHL are available. |
π οΈ Tech Repair Services | Electronics repair shops widely available in malls. |
π Table Tennis Spots | Game clubs in various sports complexes. |
π§βπ« Language Classes | Language School of Jeddah for Arabic courses. |
π Libraries & Study Spots | King Abdulaziz University Library. |
ποΈ Community Centers | Jeddah Community Center host activities for expats. |
πΉοΈ Gaming Lounges | Gaming centers such as Geek Saudi. |
π° Casino & Gaming Halls | Not applicable as gambling is illegal. |
Business
π’ Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 4,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = SAR 180,000) |
π’ Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 3,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = SAR 140,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 5,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = SAR 330,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 4,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = SAR 240,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. SAR 6,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = SAR 480,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. SAR 4,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = SAR 360,000) |
πΌ Corporate Tax | 20% standard corporate tax rate. |
π΅ Dividend Withholding Tax | 5% withholding tax on dividends. |
π¦ Tax System | No income tax for individuals, consumption tax applies. |
π Highest Income Tax Bracket | N/A, no personal income tax. |
π§Ύ VAT | 15% VAT on goods and services. |
π Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules for foreign entities. |
π Property Tax | No annual property tax; municipal fees apply. |
π Property Transaction Tax | 5% tax during property purchases. |