http://www.expatforum.com/expats/ en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:53:01 GMT vBulletin 180 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.expatforum.com/expats/ http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33405-maturing-dubai.html Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:53:45 GMT Am I the only oldie who has recently moved to Dubai? I hope not as I don't know anyone here and am hoping to make some friends who are interested in meals out etc but not the disco scene. Is there such a group, and if not, are there any post thirties people who are interested in making new friends? Don't want to exclude those who are younger but am guessing that not many twenty somethings are desperate to make friends with someone their mother's age :) ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai heretoday http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33405-maturing-dubai.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33325-few-questions-i-can-find-clear-answers-about.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:08:57 GMT I have been reading the thread for awhile and there are a few questions Im confused about, because everyone talks about $$ in different exchanges it... I have been reading the thread for awhile and there are a few questions Im confused about, because everyone talks about $$ in different exchanges it can get quite confusing. Doesn't take much ... sorry if you feel like your repeating yourselves for the 100 time with these sort of questions.

My hubby has been offered a job designing electrics on super boats ... with a salary of aprox 47,000 AED per month. Which is aprox 14K Australian dollars which is a lot of money here, but then the cost of living is quite affordable.

We have 2 small children (aged 3 and 4) and im due to have another baby in June.

Could someone please give me an indication of what we would likely have to pay from that sort of salary?

Housing
Education
Food
Car
Health
etc etc..


Housing is rented, is it furnished? We own a house currently but thought our next move we would send out stuff home to New Zealand as we intend to eventually return to school the boys later.

We are trying to have an adventure while our children are young and able to move around without worrying about pulling them away from school and friends, is Dubai a place where we can see the world and have an adventure? Or are you just on the treadmill of life there?

We have been in Australia now for 2 years and have seen and done a lot of traveling within Australia, but we are ready to move onto our next adventure but at the same time making sure that we are financially OK and making good decisions.

Thanks so much for reading my questions and thank you to those who take the time to reply. If there is anything I haven't asked that you would like to tell me that could help with making the decision about taking this job (in terms of day to day living) thank you too.

Racheal:love: ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai Kiwi living in Australia http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33325-few-questions-i-can-find-clear-answers-about.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33301-next-gathering.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:41:41 GMT Hey, just wondering when the next forum gathering will be and where? Have been in Dubai for 8 months now and for various reasons have not done... Hey, just wondering when the next forum gathering will be and where?

Have been in Dubai for 8 months now and for various reasons have not done much in the way of socialising. Would be good to get to know the friendly people here.

:D ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai consideringit2009 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33301-next-gathering.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33293-information-wanted-drylining-work.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:17:39 GMT Hi all , i hope somebody can help me.
I've been a dry liner/ ceiling fixer for 14 years now and would like to know if anyone has any information on employers or contact in this field. My partner and i are keen to get moving but are being held up with the lack of information being recieved on work. ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai geraint http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33293-information-wanted-drylining-work.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33288-abu-dhabi-brunch.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:36:36 GMT My wife and I are headed to Abu Dhabi tomorrow morning and were pondering going to a brunch. Does anyone know of a decent one that includes... My wife and I are headed to Abu Dhabi tomorrow morning and were pondering going to a brunch. Does anyone know of a decent one that includes alcoholic drinks (not just sparkling wine)? ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai md000 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33288-abu-dhabi-brunch.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33286-anyone-making-hatta-visa-run.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:09:12 GMT Hi. A newbie on the whole 'Hatta visa run' process. Just curious if anyone going before next Friday. Thanks! ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai Mac711 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33286-anyone-making-hatta-visa-run.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33284-villas-family-5-how-many-rooms-do-we-need.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:57:58 GMT Hi Everyone, Moving to Dubai in Feb/March and at that time our children will be 5, 2 and a newborn in May. We have a fairly large house in... Hi Everyone,

Moving to Dubai in Feb/March and at that time our children will be 5, 2 and a newborn in May. We have a fairly large house in Germany (where we are currently ex-pats) and have acquired a few too many things. We will of course endeavor to rid of any excess but we will have some storage items to bring along as we don't have a 'main residence' anywhere in the world.

Any ideas how we can get a large home- good value for money?

I have been looking at the Lakes and Springs but the 3-bed villas (as they are without basements and therefore without much storage space) may be tight. Especially as I would love to eventually put the new baby in his/her own room so we all get some sleep. My son and daughter can share if need-be but I would rather them have their own space too.

Anyone know of families of 5 and how comfortable they are? How they are coping in a small place (ie. sharing rooms) and when guests come, or if we get an au-pair, we would likely need space for this as well.

Any information you can give me about the general interior size of villas would be great.

Unfortunately I don't think our housing allowance is great for what we need. I think after school fees we'll only have about 150-200,000 AED for housing.

TIA!!

Carrie ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai eusweetheart http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33284-villas-family-5-how-many-rooms-do-we-need.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33275-uae-residence-visa-how-long-does-take-also.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:57:41 GMT Do you have to be out of UAE for the application? I can ask ppl here in the company but they are all gone and some are taking vacation starting... Do you have to be out of UAE for the application?

I can ask ppl here in the company but they are all gone and some are taking vacation starting this/next week.

My questions is how long does it take and do i have to be out of the country.

Currently im on a mission visa but i have already planned to take vacation HERE from 24 Dec to 1st Jan and flying out my fiancee here as well.

Any useful input greatly appreciated. ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai EXPAT09 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33275-uae-residence-visa-how-long-does-take-also.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33269-housing-abu-dhabi.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:36:49 GMT Hi all,

I'm trying to get a feel for the Abu Dhabi housing market.

So far I've seen very rough figures for housing of which 1,2,3 and Villa type accommodation is the most named.

However, I would like to get figures closer to where such apartments are to be found and what they tend to consist of.

For example - I read that there is areas around Abu Dhabi that is quite cheaper for a travel time hit. When it's cheaper, do you actually get more bang for buck for the flat considering it's in a non "hot" spot?

Also, within Abu Dhabi you get areas that are more "friendly" than other, albeit at an inflated cost.

So to get to the crux of this post:

1.) What can anyone expect moving to Abu Dhabi to pay for and what does the property give (size/luxury/pro and cons):
1 Bedroom flat
2 Bedroom flat
3 Bedroom flat
3 Bedroom Villa

2.) What regions within Abu Dhabi are more up market albeit at higher cost? How does the price vary between certain zones?

3.) What options are there outside of Abu Dhabi that won't require extensive travel time and at what pro and con points (besides the obvious travel time)?

4.) Any UAE and Abu Dhabi sites where property is being sold for reference?

I'm trying to get a post here that can build the above info over time, so price trends and factual info can aid other people with the most important facet of moving to Abu Dhabi - housing.

I know there's stickies, but it's highly generalized and tend to focus on a broader outlook of the UAE.

Thanx in advance! ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai CarlZA http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33269-housing-abu-dhabi.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33258-moving-dubai.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:21:41 GMT Hellooooo I am male in my thirties. I will be moving to Dubai from December. I will be placed in the teaching field. I would like good friends in... Hellooooo
I am male in my thirties. I will be moving to Dubai from December. I will be placed in the teaching field. I would like good friends in Dubai. As that of every new expat's concern, my first concern is about my accomodation. I think I can spare 750AED for my accomodation there. What are the chances there. ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai Geekay http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33258-moving-dubai.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33237-raffles.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:25:23 GMT Hi everyone, Has anyone worked at Raffles or had a child who went there? Any feed back? Is it a thumbs up or down and why? thanks a million ... Hi everyone, Has anyone worked at Raffles or had a child who went there? Any feed back? Is it a thumbs up or down and why? thanks a million ... ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai CSIGAVER http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33237-raffles.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33223-looking-dry-lining-work.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:19:06 GMT Hi all , im looking for anyone who can give me any information on dry lining / ceiling fixing work in UAE. Work has gone really bad in the uk and im... Hi all , im looking for anyone who can give me any information on dry lining / ceiling fixing work in UAE. Work has gone really bad in the uk and im keen to move on now. Ive heard so much about the country, so any info would be appreciated ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai geraint http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33223-looking-dry-lining-work.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33222-cars.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:45:29 GMT I have not been in Dubai very long but I have just got a position for a big company in Abu Dhabi, A friend of mine is getting a new car and said that... I have not been in Dubai very long but I have just got a position for a big company in Abu Dhabi, A friend of mine is getting a new car and said that I could use the old one for getting to and from work, He said it will all be ok becuase its registered and insured untill Feb. Is this correct that its the vehicle thats insured and not the owner like he seems to think, or will I still have to get personal car insurance to drive it? any advice would be great! thanks! ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai The Barbarian http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33222-cars.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33212-external-battery-charger-sonyericcson-k850i.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:08:19 GMT I have a problem charging the above phone. A workable solution is to purchase an external (to the phone) battery charger because I really like the... I have a problem charging the above phone. A workable solution is to purchase an external (to the phone) battery charger because I really like the phone, especially the camera element. I know I can get one over the internet but does anyone know if I can source it locally? I've tried the usuals in Mall of the Emirates but coming up blank. Any advice appreciated. ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai aliensrule http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33212-external-battery-charger-sonyericcson-k850i.html http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33207-what-does-3rd-country-nationals-mean.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:29:26 GMT If i want to get a visa and on Embassy's website it says Visa services are for Emiaratis and 3rd country nationals.

So if I'm here on a 3 months mission visa do I fall into 3rd country national? ]]> Dubai Expat Forum for Expats Living in Dubai EXPAT09 http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai/33207-what-does-3rd-country-nationals-mean.html