How to Make Friends in Riyadh as a New Expat
- Sarah Green
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Finding Your People in Riyadh: A Beginner’s Guide
So, you’ve made the big move to Riyadh... and now comes the more delicate task: how to make friends in Riyadh as a new expat. The boxes are unpacked, the SIM card mostly works, and you’ve figured out where to buy decent bread. Now comes the more delicate task: making friends.
It’s one thing to land in a new country – quite another to rebuild your entire social life from scratch. Especially in Riyadh, where things don’t always work the way you expect. The city is big, busy, and full of contrasts. And while the expat community is strong, it can take time to find your people.
Here’s what I’ve learned – the hard way, the funny way, and sometimes by mistake – about finding connection in the Saudi capital.
Say Yes (Even When It’s Awkward)
Invites here are often vague. “Coffee morning” might actually be a six-hour chat marathon involving three toddlers, one labrador, and a mystery cake. You probably won’t know who’ll be there. Go anyway.
Saying yes – even when it feels awkward – is how things start. Worst case? Mild discomfort and a story. Best case? You meet someone who gets your homesickness and your oat milk preferences.
Why Compound Coffee Mornings Still Matter
Before Saudi opened up in 2019, life – especially for expat women – looked very different. Socialising outside the home was limited. The dining scene was sparse. Segregation was still in place in many venues.
Compound bazaars and coffee mornings weren’t just fluff. They were survival. The only places women could meet, talk, trade banana bread recipes and find a bit of normalcy. When I first arrived, I skipped them – I was working, and honestly thought, “Why would I go drink lukewarm instant coffee with strangers?”
But now I get it. These little traditions still matter – not because we can’t go out anymore, but because they’re familiar, low-pressure spaces to connect.
The Compound Village Effect (Choose Your Vibe Wisely)
If you’re living on a compound, it will shape your daily life – especially if you’re not heading out to work. These places are more than just gated housing; they’re mini social ecosystems.
So here’s the trick: choose one that actually suits your vibe.
Some are packed with young families, some feel like diplomatic enclaves, and others… well, some can feel a bit like a retirement village in a dated holiday resort.
Picture this: aqua aerobics at 9, pilates at 11, Canasta at 3. Someone’s sourdough starter is out of control. The WhatsApp group is deep in a discussion about Greek yoghurt fermentation. And me? I’m standing there thinking, what happened to my former cosmopolitan city life? I used to run marketing campaigns and wear heels, check out the latest Tate Modern exhibition and get tickets for a long awaited National Theatre production darhling! Now I’m making yogurt from scratch and discussing the merits of Tupperware lids. FFS.
But weirdly, if you don’t take it too seriously, it’s brilliant. You learn to laugh at the absurdity, and you find your people in the middle of it all.
And the best part? If you live on a compound, you’re already inside a mini village. It’s tight-knit, occasionally claustrophobic, but packed with opportunity.
Join a fitness class or show up to a Friday market.
Say hi at the pool, or the playground, or during dog walks (even if you’ve borrowed the dog).
Offer help – babysitting, plant watering, sharing car hire tips – it builds trust.
Just know that not every compound connection becomes a lifelong friend. And that’s fine. Start casual, be kind, and see where things go.
What If You Don’t Live on a Compound?
Not all expats do. And honestly? That can feel a little more isolating at first. No ready-made social loop. No poolside brunch invites. But it can also lead to a deeper, more diverse experience.
Living in a mixed residential area opens the door to friendships across cultures – Saudi neighbours, South Asian families, Lebanese business owners, Egyptian school mums. The prized Saudi friendships in particular? They take time, but they’re beautifully generous and often long-lasting.
Where to look:
Community events and cultural festivals.
Volunteering opportunities or interest-based workshops.
Local gyms, art studios, and language exchanges.
Faith groups, business networking events, or embassy-led meetups.
Finding Your Place in a Truly International City
Unlike Dubai or Doha, where expats outnumber locals, Saudi Arabia has a population of over 36 million – and the vast majority are Saudi nationals. It changes the tone completely.
You’re not in an expat bubble here… unless you really try to be.
That said, it’s easy for nationalities to cluster. Brits with Brits. Filipinos with Filipinos. South Africans with… well, other South Africans and loads of biltong. It’s comforting, sure, but can quickly become an echo chamber.
Push yourself:
Go to events where you’re the odd one out.
Make small talk with people from completely different backgrounds.
Say yes to random invites from someone you just met on Instagram.
Because honestly? Riyadh is an incredible patchwork of cultures. And the more threads you connect, the richer your experience becomes.
Join the (Right) WhatsApp Groups
Ah yes – the true social currency of Saudi life. One of the most useful tools for how to make friends in Riyadh as a new expat is good old WhatsApp. Groups might be chaotic, but they’re goldmines for connection. There’s a WhatsApp group for everything: expat mums, furniture swaps, hiking groups, weekend markets, coffee mornings, “ladies who lunch but also do laundry.”
Where to find them:
Ask around – neighbours, school contacts, colleagues.
Join Facebook groups like Expats in Riyadh, British Mums Riyadh, or Riyadh Women’s Group – they often share invite links.
Instagram is surprisingly helpful too – search #riyadhexpat or #expatlifeksa.
Some groups are chatty, some are pure logistics. Either way, they’re your ticket to local life and spontaneous friendship.
Practical Ways to Start Making Friends in Riyadh as a New Expat
Facebook Groups
Expats in Riyadh
British Mums Riyadh
Riyadh Western Compounds
Saudi Arabia Expat Help & Advice
Apps & Websites
Internations Riyadh – structured networking, regular meetups (but watch out for the creepy guys always pinging you)
Meetup.com – for interest-based groups
Eventbrite – local talks, exhibitions, and creative events
Don’t forget – activity-based friendships often last longest. Join a painting class, a hiking group, a cooking workshop. You don’t need to be good at the thing – just willing to show up.
Riyadh Isn’t Always Easy – But That’s Part of the Magic
Riyadh isn’t polished. It’s not neatly sculpted or designed for perfect Instagram reels. It’s wild and sprawling, constantly under construction, and often full of contradictions. And that’s exactly what some people love about it.
Of course, for others – especially those coming from Dubai or Doha – the lack of public transport, café culture, or easy entertainment can be a shock. I’ve sat next to plenty of people at events who arrived moaning and left just as quickly, unable to find their footing.
No judgement. Riyadh isn’t for everyone.
But if you can handle the chaos, embrace the mess, and stay open? You’ll find depth, connection, and maybe even a bit of magic in the dusty corners of this very real city.
Final Thoughts: Be Brave, Be Curious, Be Patient
Making friends in Riyadh isn’t a one-week job. It’s a slow burn. It takes a few awkward coffees, some WhatsApp misfires, and maybe one slightly disastrous dinner with someone who just wasn’t your vibe.
But eventually, your people will show up – in the compound gym, in the school car park, or sitting beside you on a picnic blanket at a random embassy event.
And when they do? You’ll know that the effort was worth it.
Need more real-life insight on expat life in Saudi? Check out this post on the common mistakes expats make, or sign up to the newsletter for stories, tips and survival humour from someone who’s lived it.
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