I think i know what you mean about the marina. It's a lovely place & has some great looking apartments but I'm not sure that it's me. Lol, it may be a little to "classy", if you know what I mean, for a simple geordie like me!

I did notice the beer was a bit cheaper over in bur dubai too! Have any areas you could recommend I check out? I'm 26 (which means i still like a good night out, but have lost the energy to party on school nights!), easy going & tend to be farely casual on a night out. Looking for somewhere fun that doesn't cost the Earth & will be easyenough to get taxis from. Marina was good, but looked like the place where you need to get 'tarted up' if you want to go out.

I'm gona pop myself in the Majestic or Novotel when I get there. Seems like a central enough base for the first couple weeks with access to Sheik Zayed Road like you said.