Honest Impressions of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦 - The Next Dubai?

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I just came back from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and here are my first impressions as a resident of the neighbouring UAE.
Saudi Arabia is going through a lot of change, it is a place that is growing and modernising fast under their new leader Mohammed Bin Salman - so I wanted to visit this country in person to see how it compares to Dubai, what is the general vibe of this place, and is it something that I would recommend for other expats, online business owners or digital nomads like myself to potentially move to.
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CHAPTERS:
0:00 Why I Visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
0:54 First Impressions
3:43 City General Vibe
5:33 The People
6:56 Is Saudi Arabia Strict?
8:52 Would I Live There?
9:58 Conclusion
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Tags: riyadh, saudi arabia, riyadh vs dubai, moving to saudi arabia, living in saudi arabia, life in saudi arabia, moving to Dubai, dubai life, dubai cost of living, how to move to dubai, moving to uae, uae visa, uae residency, dubai visa, bubai company formation, how to start a company in dubai, is dubai expensive, why i moved to dubai

[@tuomaskiv]

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/tuomaskivioja Want to move to Dubai? Book a Free Consultation - calendly.com/genzone/dubaisetup

[@Abo3ffas]

As someone from Kuwait, a close neighbor of the Kingdom, the Saudi people are among the most generous Arab peoples and are distinguished by helping everyone. This is not out of courtesy, but rather out of experience. Riyadh only needs some time to find all the tourists there, and I bet on that. Riyadh is not all of the kingdom. There is Jeddah, there is Al-Ala, and there is Al-Sharqiya. There are many cultures, historical museums, and projects that have been completed just now. The city of NEOM cost the Kingdom $500 billion. The Kingdom is like a hidden treasure that revealed itself after years of coverage. “Riyadh is not everything.” Whoever knows the Kingdom knows what the Kingdom is, and we in Kuwait hope to see it in The future is among the greatest countries in the world 🇰🇼❤️🇸🇦

[@mohd-obid]

❤

[@mohammedahmed1109]

ربي يديم الأخوة

[@sultanabualhamayel1549]

🇸🇦❤🇰🇼

[@heroriyadh]

ماعليكم زود يأهل الطيب و الكرم و الفزعه

[@ryN50]

أحسنت

[@SAUDIfutureprojects]

As a Saudi, I agree with you. Saudi Arabia wants to have its own vision of its tourism projects and does not want to imitate anyone. Saudi Arabia in 5 or 10 years will be completely different in all fields 👍

[@tuomaskiv]

Cannot wait to see!

[@nabeelalnahdi2043]

Till the society mindset goes through huge transformation, can't see any major development taking effect

[@MrPrebuttal]

@@nabeelalnahdi2043 This is the biggest hurdle they must overcome

[@bra195]

One day I'll live in saudia Arabia. 🇧🇷🇸🇦

[@Kornwallace334]

I just moved to Riyadh in October, and it is because they don't see a lot of obviously western people. They are very likely to approach anyone western to see how you're liking it. I'd advise not renting a car for anyone visiting for the first time, Uber is pretty cheap here compared to USA. Alcohol is extremely hard to come by, foreign diplomats can now buy alcohol at a particular store in the diplomatic quarter. I'd advise visiting between October-early March. Pretty good weather and there's a lot going on.

[@dominicgrogan5909]

Other than Ubers being cheap any other good reasons you recommended a first timer not rent a car. I don't want to be boxed an plan to cover long distance during my 6 day stay. Figured renting a car would be better..

[@Kornwallace334]

@@dominicgrogan5909 traffic is insane here Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday (days) aren't bad at all. The closest thing I've seen to this is Cairo, which is worse. We were just involved in an accident because people here don't know how to stay in their lane when they turn... Or stay in it at all 🙄

[@shineka11]

@@Kornwallace334I’m about to move to Riyadh in the next month or two. Can you recommend anyway I can connect with expats before moving over? I have so many questions 😩 thank you!

[@jamiestephenson3115]

Thanks for a great review! Definitely interesting and worth considering and doing a visit soon

[@Bigmikey369]

I've been very curious about Saudi Arabia...this was a very insightful video! Thank you so much!

[@bazooextreme167]

Super interesting video thank you🙌🏼

[@jamalali2731]

As a Saudi, first of all, I would like to welcome you to our country. I hope you have a good experience among our society. Secondly, since you are in your first days in our country, let me give you some things that can explain to you in a simple way the upcoming experience for you. Dubai was created from scratch as a 100% tourist city. The city and its infrastructure were created to depend on foreign visitors and investors to attract and spend money within it and to build the city with foreign investment. Dubai was created to suit the livelihood of foreigners and not the indigenous population. This is why you do not notice many citizens in Dubai. Saudi Arabia is moving radically different from Dubai, where we are simply trying To demolish the accumulations of the past years and rebuild the entire country, not just one city and with our own money, but we try to preserve our heritage and rely on ourselves in the first place, and then comes the turn of foreign visitors and investors and how they adapt to living with us. This is simply all I can give you as information. I hope that info will Helping you with your future choices, and I welcome you again in our country.

[@madredlion]

Few years ago, I was in Dubai and got acquainted with an expat living there. One time, when we were chatting I asked him a question and that is "what is it that you do not like about Dubai", and he said, it is a city without identity, no culture, and rarely to see local people to interact with, after all, expats have no interest in knowing each other and make friendship as they look at their stay in Dubai as transient period to make money and leave. I was fully surprised by his comments. Anyway, nobody can deny that Dubai is very beautiful city.

[@kdonlinex]

well said. worth noting as well the fact that you can’t compare a small city like Dubai to the size of Saudi Arabia and what’s been happening all over the country, not just Riyadh.

[@Abu_grgr]

Welcome to Saudia Arabia my friend ❤️❤️❤️❤️🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦

[@tuomaskiv]

what an amazing country!

[@salahaljuhaym7484]

You description is the greatest and most accurate from all youtube I have found to date. I just came back from Saudi

[@m.deadly5952]

Appreciate your perspective , it really is intriguing to see this from someone else's eyes and thoughts. Sensorily hope you enjoyed your stay and wish you the best

[@jazzlondon1634]

Hi thomas, great video. Saudi Arabia has history, culture, heritage, and the warmth and great hosputality of its people. In 5 to 7 years time, you will see something you have never seen anywhere else. The good thing about Saudi Arabia is that it is modernizing yes but without losing its traditionality and culture. Greetings to our saudi brothers from an algerian in London, and all the best of luck. Thank you for your hospitality.

[@JohnMills-cm4qn]

We just finished 2 week tour of Saudi and agree with your evaluation of Riyadh. But you need to review Jeddah which we were impressed with even though most of town closed for Saudi Independence Day that weekend

[@swayp5715]

Thanks

[@empty3169]

The old town in jeddah is amazing. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit. Also I’m guessing you mean the founding day, since we don’t have an independence day. we have only the national day (the day of our unification) and the founding day which was last month. By the way how was your experience that day did you have fun😁.

[@JohnMills-cm4qn]

Ha! We had 4 am flight to Kuwait City from Jeddah and almost missed getting to airport because all roads were blocked off with cars honking and people waving flags out of cars

[@user-kb5xs3wy7p]

اي استقلال السعودية لم تستعمر.

[@yazysa3497]

We don't have Saudi Independence day, we only have national and foundation day.

[@MelissaAnneLucas-vh2je]

Great video ‼️

[@dammamboy2002]

Thank you so much about your honest opinion about my country, Saudi Arabia

[@justblaze7924]

People there are welcoming to all guests regardless of their background, because it’s part of the Saudi Arabian culture

[@SalehTranslates]

Riyadh is still at the beginning phase to become a touristic city with many entertaining things to do. It was always a city built particularly for business & investment. But in 10 years from now the change will be drastic. Many huge projects are ongoing

[@holisticaconsulting6364]

Hi Thomas, great review as always. I'm intrigued about your opinion. I'm coming over from the UK. Was planning to settle in Dubai. However I could it a bit too hectic and touristy, so decided to look around Sharjah, and I loved it! Actually bought a place in Maryam Island because it looks like the Dubai goes is hitting here, but it's much more favourable friendly. I could get into dubai in 20 mins whenever I needed to get my fix. But then easy to get back and see the sea without tourists. Great Arab vibe as well. Much more laid back, I even loved their small elegant airport. I think it's going to flourish in future, what's your opinion?

[@tuomaskiv]

Yeahh Sharjah is a great option is you want something more laid back/less flashy. Also much cheaper.

[@mexicounexplained]

8:24 "And don't do anything stupid, like dressing like a woman if you are a man." LOL That made me laugh so hard. You and I think alike. Maybe Riyadh wouldn't be such a bad place after all. Thank you for your videos. I am a new subscriber.

[@tuomaskiv]

haha

[@Coachchuateckguan]

Loved this video as I am a Singaporean who lived in dubai

[@mer3yy]

well the country going through a big transformation in all aspects, vision 2030 leads by our crown prince Mohammed bin Salman was extreme at starting with some extraordinary targets, now as Saudis we grab it's fruits with the opportunities opened for us and the world , the transformation is huge and rapid, sometime it is hard to keep up with , but as Arabs I believe we have many pros like flexibility, dreams and believes in our leaders, it is familiar now to see many expats from western countries you are all welcome here and we encouraged you to share the opportunities with us. the future is here 🇸🇦

[@showerg1534]

@Tuomas at 9:58 where is this food location? Next time i'm in KSA I would love to go

[@noorthelight7037]

As a Pakistani American I am planning to attend Saudi Arabia with my brother for Umra and attend different places. We lived in Dubai and we just loved it and now we hope to see SA and see where we ho

[@paulkazzer]

Muscat is a great alternative to the intensity of Dubai.

[@tea.topzone]

If you left London because you thought it was vast, Saudi Arabia is HUGE!!

[@AlamsAvenue]

I am youtuber from Riyadh and can say your views are 100% authentic.

[@dineshpr2126]

Excellent place to work and live peacefully. Ppl r very good and amazing ppl. Forecast thinking and excellent visionary king. Progressing day by day. Being a proud Indian I ❤️ ❤️Saudi Arabia. ❤❤❤ very much.

[@zeytelaloi]

Would be interesting to hear what you think about the other emirates in the UAE

[@sambasha747]

A true challenging problem Riyadh faces is that many mega projects being built while the traffic infrastructure is not. The 2030 vision is truly impressive and aiming to maximize people living and visiting Riyadh, however practical and efficient solutions to services and tourism sectors have to be ready.

[@wellytms4713]

They are developed together at the same time

[@jfjfjdjx8700]

One the solutions for traffic congestion are underground city transportation and local bus service

[@ranjithpowell6791]

So nice to see so many people visiting Saudi

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

If you want to compare Dubai to Saudi cities, you can compare it to Jeddah or Dammam as cities close to its economic structure as coastal cities that may be competitors in the future. But Saudi Arabia needs a long time to develop the Saudi coastal cities.

[@Ismedeo]

Jeddah is overrated. Historically, it is a sea port for the holy city of Mecca.

[@user-kj8yl6sn2z]

@@Ismedeo You must understand that the presence of the city of Jeddah between Mecca and Medina, and its presence in the Red Sea, is an advantage that Dubai cannot compete with. For Saudis, the city of Jeddah is the city of shopping, trade, and tourism, and the most important coastal city in the Red Sea. There are very huge cultural projects in Jeddah that will change over time

[@user-zo4vo7gu1q]

Welcome to Saudi❣️

[@ryN50]

u welcome to Saudi Arabia anytime 👍👍

[@anon19086posts]

Im a Brit, living in saudi as an expat and they have a long way to go. I’m frustrated by the carelessness of hospitals and the medical industry has become a dealbreaker for why I might not stay. The country is great. I love Riyadh but if you’re ill, that’s when you realise that it’s not UAE, or the West in terms of standards and care. So I would say a word of caution for those who may run into medical issues. UAE has had time to bring good doctors and the hospitals are reliable. They’re building so much but the shortcuts they make in the severe lack of optimisation can be catastrophic. They still have a saudi first kind of attitude for everything, lack of professionalism (receptionists completely ignore you for most services) and hardly any streamlined processes causes a lot of pain. My frank opinion is that they need to hold back on building new things, and instead focus on improving processes, optimisation and professionalism (things that the UAE took time to acquire which you can’t just build)

[@anon19086posts]

It’s a great country, and people are great! Lovely people! Just keep in mind that if you are coming from a society (Europe, UAE and US) where things are more organised, optimised, and services such as hospitals or bureaucracy is professional are streamlined, you’re going to be under varying levels of stress. You’re going to be used to more professionalism, more optimisation and more organisations so it will really affect your QOL. They need to work on giving expats some dignity

[@user-ub1wt3ft6w]

@@anon19086posts نعم من الممكن المستشفيات الحكومية يمكن ان تنتظر فيها طويلا لكن لماذا تكذب انت شامي وليس بريطاني لماذا تكذب في هويتك ارى انه شيئ غريب

[@hv6411]

Beautiful ❤

[@Hijrah-Made-Easy]

You gotta review Egypt New Administarive Capital Next. Its out of this world

[@hussammoh3791]

يخرب بيتكم انتم ورانا ورانا، الفيديو عن آلسعوديه إيش دخل مصر الحين

[@Hijrah-Made-Easy]

love Saudia ❤ and Egypt@@hussammoh3791

[@Hijrah-Made-Easy]

Love Saudia❤@@hussammoh3791

[@IsaMutlib]

Interestingly, I see Riyadh as a brilliant place for being part of the growth early on without the distractions. In Dubai, it's brilliant but a lot of distractions. Riyadh is about 5 to 7 years away from being Bur dubai, let alone Deira ha!

[@redman6790]

That's interesting. Riyadh feels like it has an upward trajectory, towards economic excellence and state of the arts high tech. I always prefer to be involved in a project that is early on in its pathway than one that is complete. That is why Riyadh feels so exciting.

[@moeharis6910]

I heard it really hard to get a Visa in Saudi. If they want to be like Dubai and the UAI, they need to implement a Golden Visa Program.

[@ultimate5s410]

great info mate, I'm sorry to mention this but my OCD is killing me can you straighten your crooked painting in the back?

[@tuomaskiv]

It was also killing me when I was editing haha

[@mohd-obid]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@tiistai9696]

Most important question: Riyadh metro was not yet finished? Metro helpottaisi huomattavasti vierailua Riadissa...

[@az-rule84]

im from malaysia and my wife is a nurse. she is interested to work there as a nurse in one of the hospital. i hope we can move there and start new adventure one day.

[@malconsak]

Saudi is NOT just Riyadh. Saudi arabia is the 13th largest country in the world and is very geographical and culturally diverse.. Mountains and greenery in the south, forests (yes we do have them btw) islands (check the red sea project) valleys, canyons and it even snows in winter in the northern part of the kingdom. Also there's alot of historical sites such as Al-Ula, diriyah, jeddah old town, rijal alma town, madinah and so much more.. all of them have a unique architecture and culture of their own.. the mega projects are happening everywhere in the kingdom from Neom to jeddah, mecca, madinah, abha, red sea islands, Al Ula, eastern province to Riyadh.. so comparing all of that to a city is just funny.

[@tuomaskiv]

I never said it was?

[@malconsak]

​Well, what im trying to say is, there will be so many options when it comes to Saudi in the future and not just Riyadh.. i get its the capital but I see alot of people just focus on Riyadh while in my opinion, in terms of "competing" with Dubai (although that's not what they want to do cuz they want to be as unique as possible) jeddah is the one in my opinion. And Neom will be out of this world! ​@@tuomaskiv

[@MerajLX]

Neom is laughable 😂

[@mohammads7331]

Population in Riyadh is almost 7 million.. in Emirates is about 2 million so population in one city in Saudi more than Emirates country’s population..

[@tuomaskiv]

no it's not 2 million😂

[@abhishek4702]

Uae population is more than 2 million

[@watersounds6737]

Traffic in Riyadh is crazy and it can compete with Moscow

[@khadijatyler4490]

Saudi hasn't had tourists for long, but foreigners are by far new to Saudi. We don't want to imitate the UAE where it's hard to find natives.

[@muichirotokitotokito6819]

the trafficking part is soooooooo true lol im 23 and i still don't have a car !! its too crowded

[@Peace505.]

Fr. It grinds my gears 🤬😡

[@basilalwafi6151]

Watching your video while driving 😂😅

[@tuomaskiv]

lol

[@ZDL679]

Just realise every Ramadan you seem to vlog about going to a new country last year was Qatar this gonna be a habitat or just coincidence.

[@user-fz8qi2zo8s]

Saudi Arabia cannot be compared to other Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia is a very big country. If you want to learn more, you can visit Jeddah, AlUla, Tabuk and Abha or another area ❤❤

[@Rowafaedits194]

CAN i edit your youtube videos?

[@SpecialAXD]

Why do westerners always connect Gulf countries all the time? Like how is Riyadh "The New Dubai" it makes no sense to basically connect Riyadh with Dubai, They're both different in their unique ways, They have a different vibe from each other, Its easy to guess which place they really are when it comes to Landmarks, I don't get why every city in the Gulf region automatically end up being called Dubai

[@FxBro97]

Need 50 years more Dubai & America is 50 years advanced

[@abhishek4702]

America is advanced but china looks more developed

[@MoneyOnline2020]

المشكلة في الزحمة انصحك عيش في الخرج وإذا عندك شغله الرياض قريبة ولا عذاب الزحمة

[@Quirk8]

5:50 it’s a culture thing

[@Pajtim2023]

If they want to compette dubai they need to Go neom And change all the project and build 1.5 trilion dollar mega city with 10.000km2 land The weather in neom Is dry 3-4 celcius colder in summer even more Dubai soooo muggy humid so hot cant breath

[@hussammoh3791]

The difference here, you see Arab “Saudi” which the opposite to Dubai or Qatar

[@ShibinSSainShib]

We dont want to be like Dubai - thats not the goal.. We want to be our thing. Authentically Vibrant Saudi

[@ifeyhome]

Leeds University student, Salma al-Shehab was handed a 34-year sentence in 2021 for liking tweets about women's rights. Saudi? No thanks!

[@SuperNazmul]

Wtf for real

[@kdonlinex]

lol

[@kq1777]

Saudi will get there in about 10-15 years. They too have vision and money.

[@Rayan-nc6mu]

Bro alcohol still a prohibited 🚫 and will be .

[@yazysa3497]

We are not looking to be Dubai, If you are looking to, all Riyadh projects are emphasized to keep our culture and identity as saudi. Riyadh is only one city while South Saudi Arabia has some amazing green sightseeing, and the north has old ancient roots 2000 to 5000 years.

[@Europeanspadubai]

Wrong Bahrain was there before Dubai.. Dubai took over did better Bahrain no longer hun for expats

[@SA-gu3ed]

As an expat, can you have sex with an expat in your private home without getting married?

[@connormcleod9595]

😂😂😂😂

[@Danvias]

لن تصبح دبي

[@snenalgla]

الرياض مدينة تاريخية وليست مجرد ابراج وزجاج مثل دبي

[@automaestro1611]

عفوا دبي ليست مجرد أبراج وزجاج دبي فيها أشياء كثيرة وأنظمة وقوانين وسياسات وبنية تحتية في مختلف المجالات أنت تنظر لها بمنظورك الضيق ​@@snenalgla

[@abdullahalmohaidli150]

وزد عليها اكبر اضعاف من دبي وفيها كل المقومات اللي تخليها توب على المنطقة حتى مدينة جدة بس يحتاجون وقت @@snenalgla

[@naifnawaf5718]

الله يطمنك

[@MerajLX]

Brother Dubai had wise leadership that was tolerant of the idea of expatriates coming in and developing their country. Saudis are just too arrogant to let any foreign businessmen thrive and exceed their own citizens in terms of entrepreneurial excellence. I have never seen anyone with dignity ever boasting about their hospitality themselevs merely to collect some tourist revenue. Their vision is huge, and the ground reality is depressing. Just last yeat their GDP shrank when oil prices fell and its been 7 years now we have been hearing about how they will overtake Dubai and all they could do was just give some breathing space to women to drive to their workplaces and organised some concerts which I don't know by what metrics counts as a unique selling point to any foreign investor or tourist. Saudis will be relevant as long as oil is of importance, and if it isn't, the chances are that Saudis will be much less of an interest globally. Dubai has built a reputation for itself and needs to sustain their tiny population of Emiratis with their exceptionally vast resources and a large pool of exceptionally talented residents that feel at home in Dubai. Saudis are rich, no doubt, but given their dynamics, if they were to achieve half as much of a progress in terms of development and actual diversification beyond oil, without merely misrepresenting stats or ultimately funding their capex with oil revenues, I would call it a success for them, but what they're promising to create is delusional and far from their reach. Their private sector, which is now dominated by PIF, is all but an actual private sector which refelcts free market mechanism with state intervention and planning of all new developments. I think they will fail in achieving anything beyond empty structures and yet keep talking and talking but who knows, they might learn soon and change their strategy which is definitely failing to attract tourists or deliver any economic progress so far in all respects except, as I said, statistics. Good luck to them, but I am not really seeing them in the same position as Dubai. Rather, I am seeing them getting humbled and accepting the dominance of the expatriate community, which will help them survive, and any progress if they ever deliver will be delivered with the participation and leadership of South Asian and other Arab communities which are actual force that makes the Saudi private sector function. They haven't come to terms with this harsh reality and are bitter when these non-citizens are doing better than their citizens, whom they have tried so hard to push at the expense of some of these long reigning non-citizens. It's a self created challenge that they are failing at, and lets see how long it takes until they totally lift their racial restrictions because that will be their last resort when everything else might apparently fail, that too I suppose would be too little too late as Dubai has already gotten ahead of them in almost all respects comparning its size to Saudi Arabia let alone Riyadh. 😂

[@Hijrah-Made-Easy]

Dubai, Oman, Egypt are all way better than Riyadh. Saudi Arabia simply isnt capable of hosting expats. MBS is delusional about this vision he is spending worse than a teenage girl

[@abdullahal-jaber5806]

Dubai lost its identity , locals don’t even go there , its full of Indians who eventually will turn the city into a shit hole

[@yazysa3497]

As Saudi, I never look to Dubai as my destination dream city to imitate. Only Gulf people understand economically, politically, and historically who we are compared to others while we respect all countries, but you can not understand it until you are in. You believe tourism is our goal. What I believe is only a tiny goal of all strategy, and you will never succeed if your people can not run their country while absolutely we need to work with others but you shouldn't relaying on them completely.