My Experience Living in Both Cities: Abu Dhabi & Riyadh

One thing I discovered when I first moved to the GCC is that it is completely normal for expats to spend time shuffling between cities in the Gulf countries.

Soon, my husband and I experienced the same thing.

We started out in Dubai but didn’t stay long before we moved to Abu Dhabi, where we stayed for a year.

Soon after, we moved again to Saudi Arabia, and today I have spent almost one year living in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi.

With my experience living in both cities, I want to share the differences on what life looks like in these two places. It is easy to assume they’re the same, but I realized just how different these two cities are despite being close to one another!

Geography & Location: Where are Abu Dhabi and Riyadh?

First, let’s get the geography straight. Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are different cities in two neighboring countries.

Where is Abu Dhabi?​​

Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is a coastal city. The main city center is located on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf.

Abu Dhabi is also the largest emirate (an emirate is similar to a “state”) in the UAE, making up about 87% of the UAE’s total land area and covering around 67,340 square kilometers. 

Geographically, Abu Dhabi borders Saudi Arabia and Oman, with the Arabian Gulf along its coastline.

The most interesting part, Abu Dhabi is an archipelago made up of more than 200 islands and has a coastline stretching roughly 700 kilometres. 

When I was living in Abu Dhabi, I stayed in a neighborhood called “Al Khalidiya” and it is only 2km away from the beach. 

Where is Riyadh?

Riyadh is the capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, located right in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula on the Najd plateau. 

It is very huge, covering 380,000 square kilometres which makes it one of the largest cities in the region by land area.

Riyadh is a true desert city, the complete opposite of Abu Dhabi. There’s no sea breeze here. 

Instead, you’ll find wide valleys, golden sand dunes, and a concrete jungle that stretches endlessly in every direction.

How far is the distance between the 2 cities?

891km. It is 2 hours by flight.

What is the size of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi?

To paint a picture of the cities: 

When you drive through Abu Dhabi, it feels like you can reach anywhere in less than 30 minutes. 

You can drive from the airport across the island to the downtown area in probably 30 minutes in light traffic.

Unlike Riyadh, driving from the north (where many expats live) to the south area can take an hour or more. Usually more, as Riyadh traffic can get very congested.

Landscape & Nature in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

In Abu Dhabi, nature means the ocean, beaches, and islands. 

You can spend your weekends at any of the beaches, go kayaking in the Eastern Mangroves, or take a boat out to the islands. 

The color palette of the city is turquoise, white, and shades of green.

In Riyadh, nature means the desert. 

But don’t underestimate it; the desert around Riyadh is quite stunning. 

In the winter, “Kishta” (camping) culture is huge. You drive out to the Red Sand Dunes, set up a fire, cook a food, and watch the stars.

There are also man-made miracles like Wadi Hanifa, and a lot of beautiful park with lakes and walking trails. 

The color palette here is beige, gold, and red-brown.

Weather Comparison Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

Even though these two cities are near each other, they have very different climates. Both cities have a winter and a summer season.

Weather in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is a coastal city, which means it has higher levels of humidity.

In summer, the temperature can rise above 40°C (104°F) with high humidity.

When you walk outside in August, your glasses fog up instantly. This is how the fog looks like in camera:

Being outdoors in Abu Dhabi during summer is very tough, as you will feel like you’re in a constant steam room.

My first time experiencing this, I really thought I couldn’t breathe properly (you can, you just freak out as a beginner). You will also sweat.

In winter, the temperature falls to around 15°C. During the day, the sun might still be hot, but after sunset, it gets better. 

Honestly, from my experience, the winter in Abu Dhabi is not as cold as in Riyadh.

Weather in Riyadh

Riyadh has very low humidity, which means it is very dry.

 One way to tell the difference is to look at your skin without moisturizer; it gets flaky, and dry patches will appear. 

However, you will rarely break a sweat unless you’re standing in the heat for too long.

Hanging your laundry in Riyadh is the best. I never have to hang my clothes outside the house, and they still dry in just 2 hours!

In summer, the temperature is actually higher than in Abu Dhabi, frequently hitting 45°C or 48°C. 

But since the humidity is very low, you don’t really sweat that much and you don’t feel like you’re in a steam room—though you do feel like you’re in an oven. 

I honestly find the Riyadh summer to be much more bearable than the Abu Dhabi summer.

Meanwhile, in winter, Riyadh gets very cold, much colder than Abu Dhabi. 

Being in the middle of the desert means Riyadh experiences extreme heat and cold in both seasons. 

In January, night temperatures can drop to 5°C or even close to freezing in the desert. You will actually need a proper coat, a heater, and warm blankets.

Expat Population & Demographics

UAE has a population that is roughly 88-90% expatriates. 

When you walk into any public spaces in the UAE especially in Dubai, you will mostly surrounded by residents from India, the Philippines, the UK, Lebanon, Egypt, and everywhere else. 

But in Abu Dhabi, you will mostly likely able to meet some Emiratis (the local UAE).

When I was living in Abu Dhabi, I loved going to malls on the weekends or attending cultural events and this is when I saw a lot of Emirati families.

If you live in Dubai, it might be rarer to see local Emiratis, depending on which neighborhood you live in.

Since UAE is a true global citizen bubble, you will not feel much different than anybody else because the people you meet will most likely be new expats or residents.

Saudi Arabia is a bit different in that sense.

This is because the local (Saudi) population still makes up the majority of the country even though the number of expats is slowly growing.

In Riyadh, you will find a lot of locals.

Your colleagues will likely be Saudi. The people in the restaurants are Saudi families.  You are much more immersed in the local culture. 

For many, this is a richer cultural experience.

Meanwhile for some, it can feel a bit more impenetrable if you don’t speak Arabic (though English is widely spoken now).

Walkability & Transport in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

Is Abu Dhabi a walkable city?

One thing I personally love about Abu Dhabi is that it is a very pedestrian-friendly city. 

I have never been to a city that is so safe to walk anywhere, and where cars will literally stop to give way to you.

Along the Corniche area, there are a lot of uninterrupted walking and cycling paths, which makes Abu Dhabi a wonderful city to live in. 

The surrounding nature makes you feel calm and happy.

In summer, it’s too hot to be outside, so most people will walk by the Corniche after sunset. But in the cooler months, you will see people walking everywhere.

It has a street life. You can walk to the grocery store or any restaurants near you.

When I was living in Abu Dhabi, I used to walk from my house to the coffee shop; it took me around 25 minutes. During winter, this was my favorite activity. I would just carry my laptop and work at the cafe without having to drive or take a taxi.

Is Riyadh a walkable city?

Riyadh is a car-centric city. It is not really walkable unless you live inside one of the compound areas. 

Riyadh is modeled more on Phoenix or Houston, which aren’t very walkable cities in the US.

The new Riyadh Sports Boulevard project and neighborhood makeovers are probably going to change this in the future, but for now, you still need a car for almost everything.

Cost of Living Comparison in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

As I have lived in these two cities, I can immediately tell you the difference based on my experience.

For me personally, Riyadh is considered cheaper in terms of rent, dining out, and even the price of coffee!

I was honestly surprised to learn that the price of a latte in Saudi costs half of what I paid in the UAE.

This was actually one of the deciding factors when my husband and I were discussing whether or not we should consider moving to Saudi.

Rental Prices in Riyadh vs Abu Dhabi

In Riyadh, we paid 35,000-40,000 SAR for a nice 2-bedroom apartment.

But in Abu Dhabi, the same style of house (a 2-bedroom villa) will cost a minimum of 50,000-60,000 AED.

As you can see, the rental prices in the two cities are very different.

If you’re living in a compound in Riyadh, you will most likely pay 100,000 SAR (usually more) per year, and that price is not much different from a modern 1-BR apartment (but with smaller space) in Abu Dhabi.

So, I guess it depends on your preferences as well, what you are willing or not willing to spend on.

Taxes in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

This is a huge factor to consider as well. The VAT in Saudi Arabia is 15%, and the VAT in UAE is 5%.

That 10% difference adds up on everything like groceries, cars, electronics, and dining out.  A 100 SAR meal becomes 115 SAR in Riyadh, while it’s only 105 AED in Abu Dhabi. 

So when you’re buying shoes, perfumes, or handbags, it’s going to be more expensive in Saudi Arabia than in the UAE because of the higher VAT.

But the good news is, there is no income tax in both countries, UAE and Saudi. You can enjoy your tax-free salaries.

Driving Culture in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

In Abu Dhabi, the driving scene is much more polite and not very chaotic. Honking is considered normal.

There are cameras (radars) everywhere. If you go 1km over the speed limit, you get flashed.

It is honestly so easy to get a traffic fine in Abu Dhabi (or in the UAE in general).

When my husband and I visited the UAE a couple of months ago, we got a traffic fine for going slightly above the speed limit (we didn’t even notice it).

So, drivers generally will “behave” on the road because the fines are heavy. It can be stressful because you are constantly watching your speedometer, but it is orderly.

Riyadh, however, has a different driving scene. It is much more chaotic, especially for expats who are not used to it.

Driving in Riyadh will teach you to be patient and adopt a “let it go” attitude. Your road rage is going to get triggered, but you cannot act on it. 

Any form of hand gesture or swearing is strictly prohibited as it is considered public offences and carries severe punishment.

The great thing in Riyadh is, now there are a lot of traffic cameras and undercover traffic police on the road. I have literally seen somebody drove recklessly and got chased by the traffic police on the road.

So generally, you are safe as long as you don’t break any rules and you are aware of the driving norms here.

Entertainment & Nightlife: Things To Do For Fun

I honestly feel both cities have a lot to offer for entertainment, but it depends on what you like to do and if you are open to exploring new things.

What people do in Abu Dhabi for fun

Abu Dhabi is known for lesser crowd and much relaxed environment . If you have been to Dubai, you will know that it is a very busy city and crowded with tourists.

I personally like Abu Dhabi better as it is much calmer, less crowd, and has that sense of luxury. For instance, you will easily see a sport car on the road in Abu Dhabi.

I literally passed by a Lamborghini showroom on my daily walk by the Corniche, and a Bentley showroom on the way walking to my friend’s house. It is truly a rare experience!

In Abu Dhabi, you have a lot of free and paid entertainment options, like Yas Island, Ferrari World, or the Louvre Abu Dhabi. There are also paid access to some beach areas perfect for families.

Since Abu Dhabi is an island city, you can also visit the beaches or go on a yacht tour.

And if you ever get bored in Abu Dhabi, Dubai is only a 1-hour drive away. You can visit a lot of places in Dubai too.

But after living in Abu Dhabi, I feel like Dubai is just too loud and stressful for me.

What people do in Riyadh for fun

Riyadh may not have beaches or islands, but there are still a lot of things to do and places to go, especially during the winter season.

At night, Riyadh is much more alive than Abu Dhabi.

The local people love spending time at night because, during the day, it can get very hot, so people are used to starting their day a bit later.

In winter, we have Riyadh Season, which holds many awesome events like Boulevard World and many winter lounges.

You will see families and friend groups spending time outdoors together to really soak up the chill, because in summer, you can hardly do this.

Safety, Rules, and Culture Norms

Is alcohol allowed in the UAE and Saudi Arabia?

Alcohol rules in the UAE depend on which emirate you’re in.

In Sharjah, alcohol is completely illegal. You’re not allowed to drink it or even have it in your possession.

In the rest of the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, alcohol is legal if you’re 21 or older, but there are rules.

You can only drink in licensed places like hotel bars, restaurants, clubs, and pubs. Drinking in public or being drunk in public anywhere in the UAE is illegal.

In some Emirates, residents need a liquor licence if they want to buy alcohol to drink at home. You don’t need one to drink in licensed venues like bars or restaurants. Tourists can get a temporary one-month licence to buy alcohol from approved shops.

In Saudi Arabia, alcohol is strictly prohibited for the general public and are only available limited to diplomats. For many expats, this is the biggest lifestyle adjustment.

Dress code in the UAE and Saudi

At the beaches, you will sometimes see people in bikinis.

Although, through my observation, some expats are still trying to be respectful by covering their bikinis with something like a pareo skirt (this is in Abu Dhabi). In Dubai like Palm Jumeirah area, I’ve seen expats wearing more freely.

As for Saudi Arabia, the dress code is much more conservative. 

It is not mandatory to wear an abaya (like it used to be), but you’re still expected to wear modest clothes, covering your knees and avoiding low-cut tops. 

Having lived here for a year, I saw a lot of expats (especially Western expats) who are very mindful and respectful towards the culture. 

Putting on an abaya is a quick modesty hack for any outfit you have underneath.

Women-Only Spaces in Abu Dhabi vs Riyadh

One thing I can’t deny is, I really love the gender-segregated social norms in Saudi Arabia.

You’re telling me that I can go to a women-only gym where I don’t have to wear my hijab and put on a legging? That’s quick heck yes for me!

This might be strange if you’re new to the norms, but generally in Saudi, you will find a lot of places that are women-only, where men are strictly prohibited from entering, such as women-only gyms, spas, and salons. 

This gives you ultimate privacy as Muslim women who chose to cover. In cafes and restaurants, there are also often different entrances for families and single men.

In Abu Dhabi, I didn’t really experience many gender-segregated places except the spas and salons.

But from what I learned, there are some premium women-only spaces you can go to such as the pilates studio, art-making workshop and some women-only events.

Which City Is Better for Expats to Live In: Abu Dhabi or Riyadh?

Honestly, it really depends on what kind of lifestyle you want.

Beyond comparing job offers, it helps to ask yourself a few simple questions.

• Do you prefer dry desert heat or humid coastal weather? Abu Dhabi comes with humidity and sea air, while Riyadh is dry year-round.

• How do you feel about clothing and lifestyle rules? In the UAE, you have a lot of freedom with what you wear (within reason). In Saudi Arabia, especially in Riyadh, you may need to adjust your wardrobe and dress more modestly.

• Are you excited by the idea of immersing yourself in a different culture? Both cities offer that in different ways, but Riyadh in particular feels deeply rooted in local traditions.

And no matter which city you choose, you won’t be on your own.

Both Abu Dhabi and Riyadh have large Western and international expat communities, so it’s easy to find your people, make new friends, and build a social life here.