Renting alone is stretching my budget. For those in shared houses — how did you find a roommate you actually got along with, and what did you agree on in writing beforehand?

Arriving with an empty kitchen. Where do students buy basics (rice, oil, cleaning supplies) without overspending in the first week, and is it worth one big trip or several small ones?

I tried one bank app and it asked for things I do not have yet. Which route worked for you as a newly arrived student, and what did you need to bring to the branch?

Landing this week and I need data immediately for maps and messages. Can I get a SIM at the airport or should I wait until I am in the city? What ID do visitors usually need before the Iqama is ready?

I will be arriving next month and need a small flat or shared house within walking distance or a short bus ride of the university. Where do students actually find places — agents, noticeboards, groups? Roughly what should I budget for a first month including deposit?

I live near the university and want to visit the Haram regularly without taxis every time. Which buses do students actually use, where do you board, and how do you pay?