Marvela Residential Community — Local services in Al Rawda Muncipality

We moved to Riyadh from North America in August 2023. After reviewing tens of compounds across the city we chose Marvela because it provided the best balance of community living, facilities, and price point.

Overall: Since the time we moved in till now (5 months later) our experience has been seamless. The compound is under new management which has been working round-the-clock to upgrade facilities and address residents' needs. In the last five months, a new restaurant/sheesha cafe has opened up, a football pitch has been constructed, there are weekly pizza/shawarma stalls, the buildings are being repainted, water tanks are being refurbished, and the gardens have been restored. A new barber shop and the party hall is in the works.

Facilities: The compound has three swimming pools, mixed, ladies-only, and by-reservation for private functions. There are two gyms one for men and other for ladies. The gyms are old but have all the necessary equipment. A new restaurant/sheesha cafe has opened up recently and is a go-to spot for residents now. A barber shop and beauty parlor are in the works, as is the party hall which is being completely renovated. The compound has a large mosque which caters to regular prayers. For Jummah, residents use the mosque outside the compound (across the road). The football pitch, basketball court and tennis court have regular camps for kids interested in the sport. The gardens are well managed and are a treat to sit outside in during the evenings.

Apartments: The compound has two, three, three-bed duplex apartments. I chose a three-bed duplex because of space and privacy of a second floor. I have visited other apartments of friends and they are all spacious, well lit, along with sizeable kitchens and maid rooms. The duplex consists of a large lounge+dining, and a large kitchen with maid room. Upstairs we have another lounge and three spacious bedrooms (1x Master). I have balconies on both sides of the apartment. The best thing we like about our apartment is how much space we have to store stuff. The cupboards in the Master bed are huge allowing us to store our winter clothes and suitcases too. There are options to take the apartments furnished or unfurnished. Since we moved from North America, we took a furnished place to allow us to settle down easily.

Location: Located in King Faisal district, the compound is in a quieter part of Riyadh, right next to Alhamra mall. Residents have access to a side gate to access the mall across the road. There are two hospitals (SMC and Dr. Alhabib) in close vicinity. Two or three gas stations around the corner. Incredibly there is a station of the under construction Riyadh Metro within walking distance. There are numerous other markets catering to a host of services. Unfortunately, the district doesn't have any nice restaurants and one needs to drive 15-20 mins for a good meal which isn't too much if you ask me.

Maintenance/Services: The compound has an app for raising a maintenance ticket which is the fastest way to have your issue resolved. The response time is really quick and the team always does it's best to resolve the issue.

Security: Riyadh is a very safe city specially when compared to western cities. The compound adds an additional layer of round-the-clock security on the gates. I have never felt unsafe knowing that my daughter is playing outside the apartment (within the compound walls) knowing that the guards don't let kids out on their own. Guest access is an ongoing issue as despite the efforts of the management, residents' guests manage sneak in with their cars. We have flagged this to the management.

Things I would like to see improve: The apartments close to children's parks, and football/basketball pitches have to deal with noise during the evenings when kids are playing. The original builders didn't account for this when installing the windows which don't keep noise out. This is an under consideration issue as the we have shared with the management and they are looking...

Would not recommend!! We moved a year back, the leasing lady was (and still is) lovely! We moved around the time management was changing and it was all downhill from there!! Half the facilities were closed, they decided to revamp the swimming pools (which didn’t need any revamp) in the summer! Elevators wouldn’t work, every second day someone would be stuck in them but the management turned a deaf ear. Fire alarms went off randomly, and instead of being a cause for concern, were a nuisance cuz they’d keep going on for 30 mins plus till you called the security and got them turned off. Complaints to the management were met with a blind eye. We made the mistake of taking a duplex facing the park. Kids wouldn’t sleep past midnight and the windows were so thin we felt we were living in the park itself! Massive lights were never switched off, and were accessible to kids so even if the security did switch them off, the switch was in the park which the kids would put back on, disturbing our sleep. We even considered putting double glazed windows at our own expense but the liter in the common areas, the smelly (and often clogged) trash disposal, the ill mannered kids and their parents with lack of upbringing, were too much to take. The guards only spoke Arabic and would sometimes let anyone and everyone get in, at other times despite putting it in the system (protocol for having guests), the guests would be made to wait for no rhyme or reason in the sweltering heat. Getting deliveries became a pain!

We kept waiting for things to get better, we waited for a whole year but things went from bad to worse. The management would threaten with eviction and raise rents, charge for facilities which in a compound are a given (such as bus service and now football ground usage!). We were lucky to get out, but wouldn’t recommend to anyone moving to Riyadh!

Home is meant to be a peaceful place, where you go to unwind, but in this compound there is a new issue everyday.

Would love to end on one positive - maintenance staff was lovely and very prompt. If we had any maintenance issues, they were generally...

Nestled within the compound are an array of meticulously kept buildings and apartments, creating a verdant oasis where lush greenery thrives, imbuing the surroundings with a serene and inviting ambiance. This harmonious blend of natural beauty and well-maintained infrastructure makes it an idyllic haven, offering residents a delightful place to call home.

One of the standout features of this compound is its unwavering commitment to providing a fulfilling lifestyle for families. With an abundance of activities tailored for children and numerous playgrounds scattered throughout, there's never a dull moment for the young ones. From organized sports to creative workshops, the array of options ensures that every child's interests are catered to, fostering a vibrant and engaging community spirit.

However, as with any premium offering, there comes a cost. Despite the undeniable appeal of this compound, the quotation received last week may have given pause due to its slightly higher price tag. Yet, such pricing is not unique to this compound alone but rather reflective of the broader market trends in Riyadh, where compounds often command premium rates.

In essence, while the initial investment may seem steep, the unparalleled lifestyle and amenities offered within the compound make it a worthwhile consideration for those seeking a superior living experience in Riyadh. After all, the value of a nurturing environment and vibrant community cannot be overstated, making this compound a compelling choice for...