Urban geography has tended to neglect the multiplicity of human processes in contemporary Middle Eastern cities; the literature is framed by simple dichotomies such as 'modernity' vs. 'tradition' or 'destitution' vs. 'wealth.' As the modernization of the Gulf states since the 1950s has rapidly transformed the region into a major global destination for large numbers of foreign workers, gated housing compounds for expatriate professionals have become prevalent. Not much is known, however, about these housing compounds or the attendant social networks and human geographies associated with them. This research employs mixed methods in an examination of the nature and structure of different housing compounds in Bahrain and a study of their residents’ social experiences. By combining archival research, field surveys and observation, and interviews, a picture of compounds as elements of the Bahraini urban landscape emerges. Extensive field surveys were undertaken to understand the spatial distribution and layout of housing compounds, and to develop a typology of compounds. Informational interviews were conducted with a number of stakeholders: local academics, government officials, and real estate professionals. These interviews provided insight into how compounds have affected (and been affected by) the Bahraini city. Finally, a series of in-depth interviews were conducted with compound residents in a variety of compounds. These interviews shed light on residents’ mobility, social networks, contact with Bahraini culture, and overall impressions of compound life. Preliminary results illuminate the variety of ways in which mobile transnational professionals living in compounds experience 'community' and conceptualize 'home,' and bring into relief differences between gated housing compounds and the larger Bahraini urban fabric. Various social, cultural, and demographic factor interact with compounds’ built landscapes and locations to shape residents’ experiences, both positively and negatively.