Moving to Dubai

[Cara]

We are moving to Dubai this summer. We have lived in Saudi Arabia and have visited Dubai so we are somewhat familiar with the area but do have some questions.
My husbands company is in Sharjah. Can anyone give me an idea as to housing within 15 miles of there? Jumierah? We would be looking for a minimum of 4 bedrooms and would prefer being on or close to the ocean or at minimum access to a pool on property. I believe the Palm Islands are going to be too far for his commute, is that correct? When renting in Dubai, what are the requirements as far as the length of the lease, is rent paid up front for a year or paid month by month? Same for utilities? We'll have the usual expat package, including rent, car, tuition and have a good handle on the amounts needed.

We have one child who will be in 11th grade next spring, are any of the "American" schools within that area? And is there typically a wait list or can we expect that he will be able to attend on time? Can anyone give me some insight about the various american international schools overall? Another daughter is going to be a freshman in college and will be with is in Dubai until next Springs semester, is there a university also in that area? If we decide to bring our flat screen TV with us, will we be able to use it with the right power converters? Will we have a choice of furnished and unfurnished housing options? If furnished does that include linens and kitchen items?
We will have a driver and 2 cars, so no issues getting around as needed. We prefer not to have our housekeeper live with us, is it difficult to find someone who can live off premises?

Thank you in advance for your replies.
Cara

[sgilli3]

Originally Posted by Cara

We are moving to Dubai this summer. We have lived in Saudi Arabia and have visited Dubai so we are somewhat familiar with the area but do have some questions.
My husbands company is in Sharjah. Can anyone give me an idea as to housing within 15 miles of there? Jumierah? We would be looking for a minimum of 4 bedrooms and would prefer being on or close to the ocean or at minimum access to a pool on property. I believe the Palm Islands are going to be too far for his commute, is that correct? When renting in Dubai, what are the requirements as far as the length of the lease, is rent paid up front for a year or paid month by month? Same for utilities? We'll have the usual expat package, including rent, car, tuition and have a good handle on the amounts needed.

We have one child who will be in 11th grade next spring, are any of the "American" schools within that area? And is there typically a wait list or can we expect that he will be able to attend on time? Can anyone give me some insight about the various american international schools overall? Another daughter is going to be a freshman in college and will be with is in Dubai until next Springs semester, is there a university also in that area? If we decide to bring our flat screen TV with us, will we be able to use it with the right power converters? Will we have a choice of furnished and unfurnished housing options? If furnished does that include linens and kitchen items?
We will have a driver and 2 cars, so no issues getting around as needed. We prefer not to have our housekeeper live with us, is it difficult to find someone who can live off premises?

Thank you in advance for your replies.
Cara

Hi Cara
Welcome to the board.
1. If your husband is working in Sharjah, then thats where I would live or at least very close to the border of Dubai/Sharjah.
It can be a horrible commute, and there is NO way I would commute from Jumeirah to Sharjah and back each day (a very long trip)

Again, I personally believe the Palm is also too far.
It will also depend how far into Sharjah he will be working.

The closest housing area would be Mirdiff.
Parts of Mirdiff are under the flight path, so keep that in mind. (hence why some of the prices seem a "little" cheaper than other ares of Dubai)

Have a look at Dubai Property Real Estate – Rent, buy or Sale Property in Dubai, Apartment and Villa with Better Homes. Manage or Invest in Dubai Property with us. for ideas of villa prices in Mirdiff
(there are lots of web sites, but this one has best pics)
Depending on your budget, you may find a villa with a share pool, or if your budget is substantial, you may be able to get a private pool.

Yes, generally rent is paid 1 year up front, (1 cheque) though you may find some people will take 2 payments (2 cheques)
Add to the price 5% agents fees.
DEWA (Dubai Electricity + Water ) send out monthly bills.

Here are some high schools that I think have a US curriculum (K-12)
Universal American School- Dubai
Sharjah American International School (SAIS)- Sharjah
Raffles International School - Dubai
International Academic School - Dubai
Emirates International School (EIS)- Dubai (Jumeirah)
Dubai International School (DIS)- Dubai
Dubai American Academy (DAA) - Dubai
American School Dubai- Dubai
Al Mawakeb- Dubai
American Academy for Girls (Mizhar) - Dubai

As for universities
American University Sharjah
American University -Dubai
University of Wollongon - Dubai
Dubai Womens College - Dubai


TV should be fine with correct converters
If furnished, I doubt it will include linen, and small kitchen items (it would usually include main living furniture, bedrooms, cooker, fridge etc)
To have linen etc, I believe it would need to be a serviced apartment/villa.

Are you bringing over your own maid ?
If not, tou will either need to sponsor one here. She would either have to live with you, or you need to include an extra amount to allow for her housing (which can be hard to find)
You can also use a maid service, which is approx 30 dhs per hour.
It is illegal to share maids with others or have a part time maid that isnt through an agency or isnt sponsored by you.

Will your driver be living with you/sponsored by you?

Hope this helps a little

[Cara]

Thank you so much for your reply, VERY helpful!

[Mayapatel]

Hi I am moving to Dubai in August i have two children and wonder what the indian community is like in Dubai. I am gujarati and currently live in the UK. I would like to hear from any indians out there who may be in the same boat as me. Would love to make new friends when i come out.

Do indian festivals like Garba happen in Dubai, do they have bollywood films in cinema's:

[flossie]

Originally Posted by Mayapatel

Hi I am moving to Dubai in August i have two children and wonder what the indian community is like in Dubai. I am gujarati and currently live in the UK. I would like to hear from any indians out there who may be in the same boat as me. Would love to make new friends when i come out.

Do indian festivals like Garba happen in Dubai, do they have bollywood films in cinema's:

There is a HUGE Indian community here. (My husband is half Indian, but we don't count ourselves as being part of the Indian community, though. He's definitely a Kiwi> ) My daughter hangs around in a group of girls and about half of them are Indian. I know that her Indian friends go to the cinema quite alot to watch hindi films and she also said that her friends all have their car radios tuned into stations that broadcast in Hindi. I am not sure where the festivals are celebrated, but I would bet my bottom dollar they are. (Excuse my ignorance, but what's the festival which has something to do with lights? I know that's celebrated here.)

I also know there is some sort of Indian association. Maybe do a search on the web? I will ask my daughter's friends where they go to celebrate. It might be just friends' houses, but I don't think you will have any problem at all meeting fellow Indians.

BTW, the Indian food here is fabulous.

[Mayapatel]

Originally Posted by flossie

There is a HUGE Indian community here. (My husband is half Indian, but we don't count ourselves as being part of the Indian community, though. He's definitely a Kiwi> ) My daughter hangs around in a group of girls and about half of them are Indian. I know that her Indian friends go to the cinema quite alot to watch hindi films and she also said that her friends all have their car radios tuned into stations that broadcast in Hindi. I am not sure where the festivals are celebrated, but I would bet my bottom dollar they are. (Excuse my ignorance, but what's the festival which has something to do with lights? I know that's celebrated here.)

I also know there is some sort of Indian association. Maybe do a search on the web? I will ask my daughter's friends where they go to celebrate. It might be just friends' houses, but I don't think you will have any problem at all meeting fellow Indians.

BTW, the Indian food here is fabulous.

Thank you. I feel much better now. The festivalof lights is Diwali, which is our Christmas

[flossie]

Yes, that's the one. My daughter's friends all come to school with their eyes hanging out after Diwali. It sound beautiful. Might have to wrangle an invitation from a family next year.

[manaj]

Hi Mayapatel & flossie, came across your thread - having done a search under 'indian'.

Maya, I guess you're joining hubby here in august?.
My trouble 'n' strife (wife) and 9yr old DD (we're Gujarati too!) joined me here recently from the UK. They both love it - what with the daily sunshine (getting hot now though and be more so when you're here in august!) and the countless indian vege restaurants - feels like Ealing Road Wembley but much better!.
So, yes, we're 'in the same boat as you will be', but no complaints yet, except the missus is starting to feel a bit 'unoccupied' - what with all the sudden newfound leisure time!.

Anyway's, we're now exploring dubai (at weekends anyway) and hope to hear from you, maybe meet up when you're here in august - how old are you kids?, boys or girls?

flossie is quite right about the indian films and hindi radio station - much better than Sunrise Radio, no embarrassing 'maasis' ringing in to wish their 'vala batas' sitting next to them 'happy bir-day to you'!

Hey flossie, no need to 'wrangle an invitation from a family next year', here's your invite to our 1st Diwali here in Dubai...

[Mayapatel]

Hi
Thank you for replying. My children are 2 and 4. Good to hear from you. You will have to give us some tips on the best places to eat. I would love to meet up once I am there. I can imagine all the spare time. At the momment i don't even have any spare time so looking forward to that. May your wife and i can catch a bollywood film together.

I shall pass on my details to you once i arrive. Where abouts in Uk are you guys from and where are you staying.

Maya

Originally Posted by manaj

Hi Mayapatel & flossie, came across your thread - having done a search under 'indian'.

Maya, I guess you're joining hubby here in august?.
My trouble 'n' strie (wife) and 9yr old DD (we're Gujarati too!) joined me here recently from the UK. They both love it - what with the daily sunshine (getting hot now though and be more so when you're here in august!) and the countless indian vege restaurants - feels like Ealing Road Wembley but much better!.
So, yes, we're 'in the same boat as you will be', but no complaints yet, except the missus is starting to feel a bit 'unoccupied' - what with all the sudden newfound leisure time!.

Anyway's, we're now exploring dubai (at weekends anyway) and hope to hear from you, maybe meet up when you're here in august - how old are you kids?, boys or girls?

flossie is quite right about the indian films and hindi radio station - much better than Sunrise Radio, no embarrassing 'maasis' ringing in to wish their 'vala batas' sitting next to them 'happy bir-day to you'!

Hey flossie, no need to 'wrangle an invitation from a family next year', here's your invite to our 1st Diwali here in Dubai...

[mayotom]

Originally Posted by flossie

Yes, that's the one. My daughter's friends all come to school with their eyes hanging out after Diwali. It sound beautiful. Might have to wrangle an invitation from a family next year.

there is a great buzz around Bur Dubai for Diwali