Asking as various firms (Citi, Barc, BlackRock) are expanding there, but there are big downsides beyond the weather….
4 Likes
I suppose this is no, then.
I would work in Saudi and they are currently on the radar for my next move. There is a lot of change in the area, I think that the next 7 years could be very exciting times.
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It has sun sea and beaches and lots of money so why one would not work in Saudi Arabia. The country does have a diverse geography from desert to greener cooler mountains with occasional snow. Lots of historic places. Its a lot safer than majority of the western countries. They are investing in infrastructure, technology etc. AI is a major focus attracting significant funding. There is money that’s why these firms are expanding there. I would love to work there.
2 Likes
I feel like working in the GCC (less so Saudi, but not really) is a bit spiritually dead.
You visit a place like Cairo or Tunis after going to Dubai and you realise that “safety” and the likes in the latter are just simply not worth it, you sell your soul a bit in return for low taxes. What’s the point in life, you know?
I would rather pay tax in Milan than dodge it in Riyadh, any day of the week
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Yes, for the right opportunity.
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What would that be? 100 gold bars and a private maid plus aircon?
Oh, do they call them maids these days?
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Is there any opening in Saudi?
Are you looking for a portal or what?
Started to think about it. Will definitely be a serious contender once they issue a licensing systems for alcool.
The other big no is “nepotism” I briefly worked for a gulf bank and I’ve seen “interesting” situations. Maybe Abu Dhabi is the sweet spot…
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I spent many years living and working in Saudi Arabia and enjoyed most of it. If you are to be based in Dammam, you could, as i did once, live in Bahrain and commute to saudi daily across the causeway
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I already hurt myself by choosing to pursue a career in the financial services. Moving to a theocratic absolute monarchy and working in finance? I don’t hate myself so much.
5 Likes
Maybe I commend you on being so forward thinking
I would absolutely work for Saudi Arabia.
I wouldn’t do it for very long, a bit like Dubayy, but still. As long as I have a wife and kids and access to international schools for them, I wouldn’t object to going for a few years.
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Yes. I have taught English twice in KSA. I am Muslim
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Yes, I would.
I’ve got a sibling in the country and experiencing a different culture won’t hurt.
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I am a student. Can I work in Saudi Arabia?
I thought about this question and was going to ASSUME, I knew what it would be like. Instead I literally asked my AI assistant what it would be like to live in Saudi Arabia as a white, seasoned, female, this was the very detailed long response….
Here’s the honest, grounded version — not sugar-coated, not alarmist — just the real lived experience of Western women (especially seasoned professionals) who relocate there today.
Because the experience varies dramatically based on:
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where in Saudi you live
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your job
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your employer
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your income level
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whether you live in a compound or local neighborhood
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how much you engage with local culture
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and Saudi’s current modernization phase (Vision 2030)
I’ll break it down cleanly.
1. Daily Life Depends on “Two Saudi Arabias”
There are really two parallel worlds in Saudi:
A) Expat World (Compounds / Corporate / Wealthy Zones)
This world feels closer to:
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Dubai lite
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Arizona + London hybrid
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very Westernized
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gyms, pools, restaurants
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women can drive, work, travel freely
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little interaction with strict cultural norms
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plenty of Americans, Brits, Canadians, Europeans
Most Western professionals live here.
B) Traditional Saudi Society
This world is:
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conservative
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rules vary by region (Riyadh stricter than Jeddah)
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gender segregation can still exist in some places
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expectations around dress & public conduct are different
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social circles are heavily family-based
You’ll interact with this more if you live outside compounds or work with mostly Saudi staff.
2. Women’s Rights Have Changed Rapidly — but Not Uniformly
Since 2018–2020, women can:
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drive
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work without male guardian permission
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travel independently
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own property and businesses
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go without abaya (though modest dress is still expected in some areas)
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appear in mixed-gender workplaces
However:
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social expectations vary by employer
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some older men still expect traditional norms
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public affection is frowned upon
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legal structure still has guardianship remnants in some corners
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enforcement can be inconsistent
Older/senior Western women often get extra respect—but sometimes extra scrutiny.
3. How You Will Be Treated as a White, Seasoned Female
Your experience will be shaped by:
A) Status
Professionals with:
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senior roles
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Western expertise
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high salaries
…are treated with prestige.
Saudi is very status-oriented.
You will likely be:
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respected
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deferred to
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protected
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admired for your experience
Age is respected more in Saudi than in the U.S.
B) Gender
You may experience:
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men avoiding handshakes unless you initiate
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some men not making eye contact
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sometimes being ignored in bureaucratic settings
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occasionally being deferred to in surprising ways
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moments of paternalism (“we will handle this for you”)
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more comfortable interactions with younger Saudis (under 35)
C) Appearance
As a Western woman:
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you’ll stand out
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people may be curious, polite, or overly formal
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women may approach you with friendliness
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men will generally be reserved but respectful
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you are unlikely to experience street harassment (SA is very safe)
4. Living Environment
Most expats live on compounds, which feel like:
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gated communities
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gyms, pools, cafes
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women wearing normal Western clothes
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social events
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BBQs, expat holidays, etc.
Outside compounds:
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you’ll dress modestly (not abaya, but shoulders/knees covered)
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malls are very modern
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cafes + restaurants are excellent
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nightlife exists but is discreet
Safety: extremely high.
Saudi is one of the safest countries for women due to strong social norms and enforcement.
5. Work Life
Corporate Saudi is in a transition phase:
Good:
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high salaries
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tax-free income
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prestigious projects
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fast modernization
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desire for Western expertise
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younger Saudis are ambitious and modern
Challenging:
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hierarchy is rigid
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top-down decision making
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sudden changes are common
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bureaucracy still exists
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gender norms vary by department
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men may test your authority at first
But seasoned Western women often thrive because they bring:
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emotional intelligence
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cross-cultural communication
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project management rigor
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experience navigating complex organizations
6. Social Life
Inside compounds = easy.
Outside compounds = take time to build genuine friendships.
Saudi women can be:
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loyal
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warm
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deeply hospitable
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intellectually curious
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private at first
Saudi men are:
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polite
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formal
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reserved
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sometimes awkward with Western women, sometimes very welcoming
Dating is… complicated unless you are on compounds or within expat circles.
7. Faith & Cultural Norms
Saudi is still deeply Islamic:
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the call to prayer is part of daily life
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many shops close briefly
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Ramadan is a major cultural month
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modesty norms matter
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respect for tradition is essential
BUT…
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Vision 2030 is rapidly modernizing
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Jeddah is more liberal
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Riyadh is becoming more open
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concerts, cinemas, events now exist
Bottom Line: What It’s Actually Like for Someone Like You
As a seasoned white Western woman, your experience would be:
Safe
Respected
Socially buffered (inside compounds)
Professionally valued
Occasionally frustrated by gender norms
Sometimes surprised by kindness
Often treated as an honored guest
Living in an ultra-modern, fast-changing place
Navigating two worlds at once
There would be:
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adaptation
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awareness
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some cultural shock
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but also high opportunity
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and likely a strong sense of personal growth
3 Likes
Use of Generative AI is not permitted in the bubble.
1 Like