Information that everyone needs about Dubai. Updated July 2009. Read before posting.

[Fatenhappy]

Originally Posted by wishin_real

HI lifetravel,

Am afraid u cant get a residence visa for them.
Expats in UAE are allowed to sponsor up to the 1st degree relations only.

You may bring them here by visit visa and that is for 3 months only.
I think it is now 2000 AED each per sponsored person plus AED 1,000 deposit which is refundable after person left UAE.

..... Deleted incorrect answer to original post ... off on the wrong tangent ... sorry about that

[Fatenhappy]

Deleted incorrect answer to original post ... off on the wrong tangent ... sorry about that

[Jamgirl]

Hello every one

I must say I find this link very informative. I am in Education and I am thinking of taking up one of my job offers.

[julzandrews]

Originally Posted by spartan

Hi Whitedove,

Once you have posted 5 messages on this forum, your private messaging function will be activated. Once this is the case, message me and i can tell you how you can activate magic jack here, in Dubai. Such items are best discussed off the public forums because they can be tracked by the government.

Not too sure about the springs, I moved to Mirdif, which I've found to be great place to live.

You can opt to bring whatever you like...try and not bring electronics, because its a hassle trying to convert the power thing (110-220 volts). Also try and not bring anything more than is absolutely necessary because it seems like most houses dont have a lot of extra storage space (i miss having a basement).

Let me know if you have any questions and I will try and help as best as I can.

magic jack...
what is this!? does it help you with shipping things over here...
sparten how long have you been in dubai if i may ask?

[julzandrews]

Originally Posted by Whitedove

When we were in Dubai last month, we didnt get a chance to see Mirdif but I met an american lady at the Mall, she lives there as well and she likes. Do you think that this is a place for the american Expats?
Do you think Furniture is better bought in the US or over there ?

white dove, wondering if you are here already, what part of ca are you from? i am from bakersfield : ) little wacky place : )
ummm, i lived in the far depths of dubai beyond mirdiff for a couple of months and it was really hard lots of driving to get o anywhere and seems to me the drivers are worse out there.. now i live in the marina and find it much better and less depressing.
plus its not as hot with way less dust. whew!!!!

i love my britta water filter i picked up at target on a trip back, with a couple years supply of filters, and i suggest bringing some teeth whitener, cause um the water here makes your hair fall out and your teeth change color.
i have lived here for 2 years and really miss the states, even bakersfield. hahah please bring me an in n' out burger, target and ummm some nature and i will be the happiest person ever!
ps you don't need to worry about missing out on ed hardy, cause its everywhere.

[julzandrews]

depends on the quality of furniture you like and the type, here you can go to Ikea, or go all out on some really cool mid-century eams chairs, no better yet a swavorskey studded recliner, that will cost you an arm and a leg, but its sorta either or,,, the middle stuff is sorta gaudy.

ohh i really like "the One for furniture, and bo concept, i forget where i got my sofa, but i love it, i got it in jbr....
furniture is an iffy one...

[Whitedove]

HiAndrew,
Well I am in Encino, CA 15 mns from LA and the wheather is very weird this year in a day you get all the seasons LOL!!!!
Well Magic Jack is a device that you connect to your computer and you can call the US from ur phone for free but I guess it's not a good idea in Dubai since there is some monopoly of the Phone companies that have the luxury to bann everything!!!
Well We are not yet in Dubai and finally we are thinking of moving to the Springs which is gonna be more convenient for us and for our kids.
Thank you for the advice I will defenetly bring my Britta with me, I love my clean water....
So how long have you been in Dubai? how are you liking it?

[nicky29]

This is great thanks! can some of the expats that have taken jobs in teaching share their experiences? i've tried searching but I can't find a thread purely on it, apologies if I have searched incorrectly and it's there

[Dannysigma]

Originally Posted by nicky29

This is great thanks! can some of the expats that have taken jobs in teaching share their experiences? i've tried searching but I can't find a thread purely on it, apologies if I have searched incorrectly and it's there

Been teaching here for a few months now after 12 years teaching in UK and I love it. School is interesting - very multi-cultural. Staff very friendly, great social life. Lifestyle is a lot better than in UK - bigger apartment, more money etc. I suppose, though, it depends on the school you are in - from speaking to people with experience in other Dubai schools it seems to vary greatly, certainly more so than back home. As there are no unions to monitor working conditions, you depend on a benign employer a lot more.

[nicky29]

Originally Posted by Dannysigma

Been teaching here for a few months now after 12 years teaching in UK and I love it. School is interesting - very multi-cultural. Staff very friendly, great social life. Lifestyle is a lot better than in UK - bigger apartment, more money etc. I suppose, though, it depends on the school you are in - from speaking to people with experience in other Dubai schools it seems to vary greatly, certainly more so than back home. As there are no unions to monitor working conditions, you depend on a benign employer a lot more.

Thank you Danny! are you willing to share the school you are at? there are so many positions going at so many schools!! it's hard to know.
It is very multicultural teaching in Australia too, I think more than Britain, most AUssie teachers are automatically trained for TESOL because we do the subject at uni. Always lots of nationalities in the classroom.