RentReady: Your easy path to finding rentals, school options and public transportation access in Saudi neighborhoods

A few months ago, I designed a handy Rental Comparison tool that’s aimed at making it easier to navigate Saudi Arabia’s rental market. The tool still includes the core “Compare My Rental” function, which allows users to quickly check how their rent compares with market rates in their area based on price, property size, neighborhood, and furnishing status.

But today’s update adds several new dimensions to rental information. For those searching for a new property in Riyadh, the tool now provides granular neighborhood-level data all in one place:

1. Education costs: Median private school fees by level (Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle School),

2. School listings: Names of private schools in each area¹, which makes it easier for parents to search for a property and schools for their children in a single channel.

3. Public transportation access: Number of bus stops, connectivity level (High, Medium, or Low), and metro station availability.

I have also added two major features to enhance the rental search experience:

1. Neighborhood character classification
This experimental algorithm categorizes Riyadh’s neighborhoods into four types²:

• “Upscale” for premium and high-income areas with easy access to several private schools.

• “Budget Friendly” for cost-conscious renters.

• “Commuter Friendly” for those prioritizing transportation access, which might be suitable for those moving into Riyadh temporarily and are not buying a car.

• “Mixed Character” for diverse and developing neighborhoods.

Try the tool here:

https://mealkhowaiter.shinyapps.io/RentalComparisonTool/

2. Neighborhood comparison calculator
The updated “Explore” tab lets you select any two neighborhoods for a detailed side-by-side analysis that includes:

• Total annual rental costs,

• Estimated school tuition costs across all education levels,

• Projected transportation expenses, and

• Potential yearly savings between neighborhoods based on the factors above.

Your feedback has been essential in guiding these tool improvements, so continue sharing your comments here, Linkedin, or email.

1. Currently available for most neighborhoods in Riyadh, Dammam, Khobar, and Dhahran.

2. Reach out privately to discuss this model and provide suggestions on it.

• Photo credit from here.