Check the answers in red.. Hope it helps..

Well the big day is almost arrived for me and I should be moving to Dubai by the end of the month. I have been pouring over dubizzle the last week and have a few questions about renting and about some of the areas I have been looking at.

- Renting through Agent vs. Landlord: Is it better/safer to go through an agent? I have read a few stories (here and elsewhere) about people getting ripped off by both but I was just wondering if there is a difference aside from saving a few thousand dhs.

As long as you find a trustworthy agent, it could be better to go with agents.. Most landlords have agents taking care of their all 50+ apartments and will not be bothered to do anything personally about their flats.. On the other hand there are the real estate agencies which I don't like at all.. (with some exceptions of course... you can find lots of past discussions on this issue in the forum) In my opinion the only advantage of renting directly from the landlord is you don't have to pay 5% agent fees and nothing else.


- Jumeirah Village: how far of a drive is it to JAFZ (It looks close on the map but the roads and gates in this city are crazy)? I was in Dubai in November and I did hella walking around Bur Dubai, Business Bay, TECOM, Marina and JLT but I didn't even know about this village area. There seems to be some pretty good deals in this area. The photos on google maps makes it look pretty undeveloped/dusty, is it still like that?

It takes around 15-20minutes to drive to gates(I don't know the numbers but the ones closer towards Dubai) of JAFZA from Jumeirah Village.. Yes the whole place is still dusty, I have a friend living there and some areas literally don't yet have their roads.. He drives on pressed sand for around 300m to get home every day.. Another problem with Jumeirah Village is that the exits I'm aware of are on Al Khail Road between Al Khail - Emirates Round round about and Tecom/Barsha exit on Al Khail Road heading towards Dubai direction. So you might get frustrated with driving round & round in time..


-Discovery Gardens and Marina Diamond: See lots of big apartments for cheap in these two areas but other message boards like skyscrapercity have numerous posts about A/C being shut off in some buildings (DG) and the electricity about to be shut off to the elevators/common areas (MD). From what I am reading the developers (or building owners?) are abandoning these buildings and bills are not being paid. Is this problem widespread throughout Dubai or are these isolated incidents? Are there any other buildings that I should avoid?

Some hate Discovery Gardens and some love them.. I have no idea how it really is but driving around the place a couple of times to pick-up/drop friends, I just don't like the place..
For Marina Diamonds, I can say stay away from them.. Again this is actually directly related to your choices but having seen a few, I find their rooms extremely small and the material quality to be terribly low.. On the other hand I've heard horror stories about maintenance!

Thanks ahead for any feedback. Like I said I was in the city in November and had a blast and I am looking forward to finding a place (I have been in Houston for the last 4 months training and living out of a hotel :twitch and getting the most bang for my employers buck

 

Very helpful, thanks!

 

go stay in Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) and you will like it

 

I walked around the are during my previous visit but found there was quite a bit of traffic. I will definitely take another look when I get back though.

 

The Greens has great access to Sheikh Zayed Road headed in the direction of JAFZA.
And you may only want to consider Disco Gardens if you can't afford elsewhere.

I had good luck with my agent, but they didn't do a whole lot.
Could have just dealt with the landlord directly. (nice lady)
If the landlord is organized and has all of the paperwork then don't fret.
Once the transaction is done, we all hold the same green piece of paper that says we're renting...

 

Thanks for your input xpat, Greens is one of the areas I am strongly considering right now.

 

Anyone know of a decent estate agent? Ive been dealing with BH but find their prices very expensive with no budging in price.

Essentially i have 2 weeks left to find an apartment. Im looking for a reasonably sized 1 bed, maybe a 2 bed so i have a study to work in, but ideally would like furnished.

Got show a couple by BH but they were tiny! Around 700 sq ft, and they were priced at 70k with no movement. So if anybody has an email address or phone number of a decent agent(s) and could pm me id be very greatful!

 

Hello,

When you say no movement, do you mean haggling? Is it common to haggle rental prices at agents?

 

There's room for movement on anything, just play them, there's always another apartment. If they wont move on price (Best price it's called) then get better payment terms.