Are you moving to Dubai - this might help

[Elphaba]

So much hype about The Marina, but 'living on the beach' is a bit of a joke. JBR residents have access to very little beach. Various 'beach clubs' were supposed to be developed and at least one of them (between Hilton & Sheraton) will now be a car park. Current occupancy at JBR is alleged to be no more than 30%. Certainly rather more apartments are available, so there are reasons why people aren't moving there. The JBR developments itself is, in my opinion, featureless, over-sized and incredibly dull.

The nicest park is the main part surrounding the original marina where Marina Walk is. The rest is largely just a bunch of tall buildings with no views.

To anyone moving here, I would strongly advise that you have a look around before commiting to any area. You really cannot get a feel for a place from photos.


Dan - for info on car buying see Dubai Explorer. I haven't bought second hand so can't help you, but I am positive all the info is in your Dubai 'bible'.

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[alli]

elphaba speaks the truth!!!

[Tiny]

Hi everyone

My family are hoping to move to Dubai with a work opportunity in Feb 09. My husband will be working at the Aiport. From the advice I have seen on various websites it is best to try and find accomodation beside your place of work. What would be your views on housing around the Airport area? Obviously he would be able to travel some distance but i dont yet know what traffic is like around this area....i know its bad....but is it bad all over? Also i have read in the Explorer that there is a metro being built with links to the aiport. is this complete?

Also where is JBR? is that Jumeirah? My husband says he would like to look at living there. I am open to looking around, which we defintely will before we move.

Thanks in advance for your time

Oh and also, we are looking to stay in the xclusive hotel apartments for our visit. You may or may not know it.....is this a good idea, location wise to have our base to explore?

[Elphaba]

Originally Posted by Tiny

Hi everyone

My family are hoping to move to Dubai with a work opportunity in Feb 09. My husband will be working at the Aiport. From the advice I have seen on various websites it is best to try and find accomodation beside your place of work. What would be your views on housing around the Airport area? Obviously he would be able to travel some distance but i dont yet know what traffic is like around this area....i know its bad....but is it bad all over? Also i have read in the Explorer that there is a metro being built with links to the aiport. is this complete?

Also where is JBR? is that Jumeirah? My husband says he would like to look at living there. I am open to looking around, which we defintely will before we move.

Thanks in advance for your time

Oh and also, we are looking to stay in the xclusive hotel apartments for our visit. You may or may not know it.....is this a good idea, location wise to have our base to explore?

Hello Tiny

Welcome to the forum. Have read through the threads as you will find a lot of useful information. Glad you have the Explorer too as that will be invaluable.

Yes, you should try & live near to work to avoid traffic delays. JBR is in The Marina, not in Jumeirah. It is a long way from the airport. Better areas for you are Mirdiff, Al Rashidiyah, Garhoud, Deira, Oud Metha and Healthcare City. Around Business Bay too.

A little hunting tracked down the Xclusive aparthotel - it is in Bur Dubai. X?clusive Hotel Apartments Probably chosen as not expensive, but not terribly convenient for the airport. Traffic in & out of Bur Dubai can be awful, depending on the time of day

I'd suggest somewhere on the Creek, upward of Maktoum Bridge as this will be closer to the areas you should look at and have less traffic.

You haven't mentioned whether you have children, as access to schools should also be considered.

Good luck.

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[Daddy Long]

Hi all,

I am considering a transfer to Dubai from the UK with my existing employer. I have been advised that the package I could expect would be somewhere in the region of the following:

Wage - AED45k - 55k per month
School fees paid (have 3 kids)
No housing allowance
Flight allowance
Healthcare and life insurance
Relocation assistance - both housing and school
etc.

The job would be at Healthcare City. I have trawled the net but am unable to find two maps of dubai that are the same! What I would like to know is:

1) What are the closest residential areas close to Healthcare City
2) What are the closest primary schools to Healthcare City

I think once I have that info the internet should yield enough additional info for me to find potential rental costs etc.

Thanks in advance all!

[Elphaba]

Hi Daddy Long

There is a lot of accommodation being built at Healthcare City, but mostly apartments. I presume that with 3 children you would want a 4-bed villa. Never mind the area, a 4 bed place is going to be expensive - between AED 300k & 450k at a guess.

Accessible areas for Healthcare City where you can find villas would include Mirdiff & Rashidiya (prices cheaper than many other areas), Garhoud, Jumeirah, Al Safa, Um Sequim. You would be going against the traffic from Lakes and Meadows too.

Sorry, can't help with schools, but I am sure someone else can.

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[Daddy Long]

Originally Posted by Elphaba

Hi Daddy Long

There is a lot of accommodation being built at Healthcare City, but mostly apartments. I presume that with 3 children you would want a 4-bed villa. Never mind the area, a 4 bed place is going to be expensive - between AED 300k & 450k at a guess.

Accessible areas for Healthcare City where you can find villas would include Mirdiff & Rashidiya (prices cheaper than many other areas), Garhoud, Jumeirah, Al Safa, Um Sequim. You would be going against the traffic from Lakes and Meadows too.

Sorry, can't help with schools, but I am sure someone else can.

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Thanks Elphaba

I was expecting rental costs somewhere in that region - a couple of the kids may have to share a room! Or I will have to negotiate more money.

Are The Springs closeby?

Thanks again

DL

[Elphaba]

No, The Springs are not nearby. They are in the huge Emaar estate that is also home to The Lakes and The Meadows. I didn't mention them as the houses only go up to 3 beds and I assumed you'd want a 4th bedroom. The Springs are cheaper than Lakes or Meadows, but smaller & not as nice.


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[davyell]

Hello geordie

I am at the moment about to visit dubai for a visit to my new workplace. I intend to take my wife, 8 year old son and 18 year old daughter, the package on offer is villa, car, school fees, medical fees, flights etc all fully paid for by the company. I am trying to find out what the education is like out there? including universities. and if part time jobs are easy to get for my daughter eg bar work etc.
Thought you may be able to help. thanks, Dave from south shields

[Tiny]

Thanks Elphaba

I appreciate the advice. We have booked our trip for October so will really get stuck in and see what is what.
Our son will be just over a year when we move so no need for schools yet. We do not know if we will still be in Dubai when school time comes though if it does the fees are part of the relocation package.

Areas i like so far, going by the advice in the explorer are Umm Suqeim, Mirdif, Jumeira and Emirates Hills.
I am not so keen on Oud Metha , Umm Harair as it looks to be quite built up and busy. We are not huge fans of hustle and bustle so if we can live in a *quieter* area then this would suit.
I appreciate Umm Suqeim is quite far out...it estimates travel to the airport is 25 mins....would you agree? My husband will be working shifts and this normally means travel is not at peak time...that is of course only beneficial if there is a 'non/peak time'
We are not yet sure what type of accomodation we will be looking for. A villa would be nice but of course it all comes down to money. I think our rent allowance is up to 210k a year.

Thanks Again
Tiny