Dubai, Living in Riyadh: Expat View on Shopping

There's a time for bejeweled daggers and bangles, and then there's the rest of life. A primary destination for anyone touching down in Riyadh is the souk, or market. All sorts of luxury goods, spices and kitsch are ready to be haggled over here, but in reality, expats who relocate to Saudi Arabia's capital spend far more time roaming the polished, climate-controlled expanses of modern malls than negotiating the winding aisles of a souk. And when it comes to malls, there's plenty to pick from. High-end everything is on sale in Riyadh. (In fact, anyone with understated tastes might have to dig deep, as bling can seem to be perennially in style.) Al Faisaliyah and Mamlaka shopping centers are located downtown, with the latter notably home to an entire ladies-only floor. Malls aren't just for shopping, though. Wandering the generous spaces of the Hayat or the vast Sahara complex provide a much-needed distraction during the withering summer months. There are restaurants, kiddie playlands, and plenty of parking. Large-scale grocery outlets are also included in the mall deal. Patrons can purchase most of their favorites from back home at stores like Tamimi (which stocks Safeway goods), Carrefour or Hyperpanda. Those looking for home furnishings turn toward the Saco mall, or to the familiar décor found at IKEA. In other words, Riyadh's shopping world is full-up, leaving the retail-crazed spoiled for choice. Be a part of our Riyadh expat community on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/riyadh.expat.guide If you are an expatriate, you will definitely enjoy our city guide videos http://www.expateye.com Move One is dedicated to providing seamless services for all aspects of international relocation. We offer door to door moving, fine art shipping, pet transportation and personalized relocation assistance (including but not limited to home search, school search, settling-in and immigration services) To learn about our services, visit our website: http://www.moveoneinc.com For interesting news from the industry, visit our blog: http://www.moveoneinc.com/blog/