Where should a family with 4 year old live?

[Dawn A]

I have to agree with the person that said, if you work in Abu Dhabi to live in Abu Dhabi. You will get a better housing allowance and the 2 hours a day commute (on a good day) just keeps you away from your young family.

I know that many folks have preferences to the Greens and Arabian Ranches, but I chose Mirdif because you can get bigger villas ( 2 and 3 times the size) for 150000 dirhams and you are right next Emirates Road and it won't take you 1/2 hour just to get out of your complex.

The prices are dropping like flies and everything is very negotiable because building is still going on here so it is a renters market like never before. And if you want to head down a little ways near Arabian Centre, 7000 sq. ft villas are going for 180000.

[EMMEWYATT]

Thanks for the info. Does it seem like too much to commute from Dubai to AD if we were to have offices near Yas? It will be important for us to be somewhere that the kids can develop freinds since they will be leaving their freinds and beloved Au Pair behind. Thanks.

[Dawn A]

Originally Posted by EMMEWYATT

Thanks for the info. Does it seem like too much to commute from Dubai to AD if we were to have offices near Yas? It will be important for us to be somewhere that the kids can develop freinds since they will be leaving their freinds and beloved Au Pair behind. Thanks.

It's really a personal decision. Traffic on one day can be fine and then a nightmare for no reason another day. You are looking at a minimum of 1 hour commute each way, more likely 1.5 each way. If you find a good neighborhood and school, the kids will adjust and make friends through school most likely. Since everyone here lives in compounds, unlike open neighborhoods in US where you can see people's houses from the street, your kids will make friends through the school and other activities they get involved. You also build relationships that way as well.

As a parent, my kids are grown now, you want to be able to leave the office for an hour or so to attend events either during the day or right after school, the commute may give you less flexibility.

Again, it is a personal choice. Nanny's here are easy to find. especially from the Phillipines. And they love kids.

Hope this helps.

[Ogri750]

I do the commute daily from Arabian Ranches to AD (nr the airport) and that takes 1hr 5mins in the morning and 1hr 15mins coming back.

The only place that generally gets congested is the Jebel Ali roundabout on Emirates Road nr Green Community (not the big roundabout, the one before)

It is very doable, and more than likely you might even find someone to car share with