10 Things That Might Be Shocking For New Expats in Saudi Arabia

Moving to a new country is always an adventure.

You will learn a lot in your journey and there are some things you read online that you can’t really wrap your head around unless you experience it yourself.

As a new expat in Saudi Arabia, I want to share with you a few things that might be shocking at first, but you will soon get used to it. During my journey, I learned and discovered a lot of new things myself.

1. You will hear a “song” played 5 times a day, but it’s not a song. 

When you first arrive, you’ll hear a melody echoing across the city 5 times a day. It sounds almost like a song playing from the speakers.

You quickly realize it’s not music, it’s actually the Adhan, which is the call to prayer for Muslims. 

When the call to prayer is played, it is a sign for Muslim to perform a prayer.

2. You will see how energetic and playful locals are (without alcohol)

Before you moved to Saudi Arabia, you might think the idea of relaxing or letting loose requires alcohol. 

But soon you will be shocked seeing how energetic, loud, and playful people are here without a drop of booze.

If you’re new to this information, alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia.

You will friends cracking jokes at a cafe, playing board games, or just hanging out for outdoor picnic, the vibe is very high-energy. 

In Saudi, you realize you don’t need a drink to have a great time or deep conversations with friends.

3. You will see modesty in a whole new light

The narrative we often hear outside Saudi is that covering up is about oppression.

But being here, you will see modesty in a whole new light.

You realize that for most women here, covering is a personal choice and a source of pride. 

It’s seen as empowerment, a way to command respect for who you are, rather than just how you look. 

It really challenges your perspective on what freedom really means.

4. You will spend so much money on food

If you are a foodie, good luck saving money. 

It is actually rare to find a bad restaurant or cafe here. 

The standards for food quality and services here are incredibly high.

From high-end dining in to the hole-in-the-wall shawarma spots, everything tastes fresh. 

You find yourself eating out way more than you planned just because the options are endless.

If you aim to save some money, watch out for this habit!

5. You will spend less time outdoors than you normally would

In your home country, you might be used to walking everywhere or taking a casual stroll to the park. 

Here, people don’t really walk outdoors especially in the afternoon and during summer season.

For a huge chunk of the year, the heat makes walking outside during the day impossible. You go from an air-conditioned apartment to an air-conditioned car to an air-conditioned mall. 

However, when winter hits, everything transforms. Everyone will not waste the opportunity to spend time outside, camping in the desert, picnic in the park or walking on the streets.

6. You will get hooked on coffee

I thought I was already a coffee drinker before I moved here, but Saudi coffee culture is on another level. 

There is a coffee shop on almost every corner, and they are all offer high-quality coffee and always full. 

Between the traditional Arabic coffee (Gahwa) and the amazing specialty coffee shops, caffeine becomes a major part of the social life here.

It’s also the easiest way to make new friends!

7. You will be open to the idea of hanging out with friends at midnight

In many other countries, if you are out at 12:00 AM, you are probably at a bar or a club sipping some drinks. 

In Saudi Arabia, the cities come alive at night but not because of night clubs or alcohol, as both aren’t available here.

Here, it is totally normal to meet a friend for coffee at night, or have late dinner at 10PM or just hanging out after midnight.

And you will also see families with kids or groups of friends hanging out very late, especially in winter season as people are taking advantage of the cooler weather.

And this definitely took some getting used to especially if you’re a new expat.

8. You will suddenly miss the rain

If you’re coming from a country that rains a lot, be prepared as you will rarely see rains here.

It sounds funny, but I didn’t realize how much I take rain for granted until it’s gone. 

Saudi Arabia has a very dry climate. But when it does rain here, it’s like a national holiday. 

People pull over their cars to take videos, everyone runs outside, schools closed, and the mood instantly lifts. 

You’ll find yourself getting very excited over a few grey clouds.

9. You feel somewhat “pampered” as a woman

There is a culture of chivalry and respect here that makes you feel a bit spoiled as a woman.

Whether it’s having a separate, shorter queue at government offices or banks, or just people being incredibly polite and helpful when you are out and about.

You will often feel like you are being looked after.

10. You get used to the high safety standard

This is the one that stays with you. 

I used to be so hyper-aware of my bag and pockets in busy cities. 

But here, you see people leave their laptops and phones on cafe tables while they go to the bathroom. 

You can walk alone without looking over your shoulder. 

It feels weird at first to let your guard down, but once you get used to this level of safety, it is hard to imagine living anywhere else.