Living in Dubai without a car ?

[Lenochka]

Hello,
I am in negotiation with my employer about a potential move to Dubai. I will be working and using a car to get to work. We have a 1 year young Boy which my wife will take care of. however, she is not driving. Will this be possible at all to get around by taxi and public transport or is it simply impossible to live in Dubai without being able to drive ?

Any feedback is most appreciated

Many thanks in advance
Lenochka

[sgilli3]

Taxis are cheap to use.
There are also public buses, though Im afraid they dont service all the areas.

You can certainly survive without a car.
If she is not having to take the child to nursery every day, and its just a taxi trip here and there, she should be fine.

(by the way, I dont have a car, and have 3 kids...so its doable)

[Equus08]

I concur with the comment of sgilli3.

The call center service for the taxis are efficient except during rush hours when you have to wait for a bit for the cab to arrive.

[keeneek]

I catch cabs all the time, never wait long... Its do-able.

[TheFiveJs]

So what do you do for a car seat for an infant/toddler in that case? Surely his son is too young to be in a regular seatbelt.

[marc]

I guess you will have to provide you own? I dont think they have , but im not sure.

Taxi's during rush - hour and swithover shifts (5.00pm) - ARE A NIGHTMARE
please believe me when I say its mental at rush hour - no joke.

I have been taking taxi's until I get a car everyday and sometimes waiting an hour in morning aswell as evening - but its all luck.

Its possible.

[cairogal]

I think having a young child at home and no car can be rather isolating for the wife depending on what part of town you live in. Public transport is not comfortable for the average woman and child to be using, so I would count that out. If you are living somewhat centrally you wife may pop out to the corner store for groceries, but it's generally not a pedestrian-friendly city. I also wouldn't take a 1 year old in any taxi in the UAE w/o a child seat...lots of set up time for a short taxi ride. It makes getting to the nearest park or the supermarket a really pain in the neck.

[Lenochka]

Thanks for all the info - and sorry for not getting back earlier but I was travelling.

Out of curiosity - and I can concur with all comments re toddler/taxi/child s seat -is there a law which requires the special seat ?

Thanks again
Lenochka

[Elphaba]

As far as I am aware there is no law regarding compulsory child seats. Certainly, far too many people are irresponsible and do not strap their children in properly. Dangerous anywhere, but doubly so in Dubai due to the frequent reckless driving.


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[TheFiveJs]

Irresponsible would be the nicest and mildest word I'd consider using.