Thanks sgilli3!

I have heard that if you are going from Dubai to Sharjah in the mornings that you are going against the traffic so it should only take 40 mins???

yes I would need to get a car!

We are aware that living together is illegal. But what actually happens if it becomes an issue? Warned / deported / jail?
Have also been told Sharjah is not a nice place to live and that people in Duabi are more tolerant of co-habitation?