the_zooter
Ok people!! I know what some of you are going to say, silly things like:
1) Its a different city
2) Its a different emirate
3) Its spelt different
Ok - thats the limit of what I know!!
Right - here is the reason for my question:
I've been approached about a job in Abu Dhabi, so basically I was just wanting to know what its like etc. Most of you know that I came over to Dubai recently and absolutely loved it, but I know very little about Abu Dhabi, what's there, and all that kind of thing - never crossed my mind before as a place I might want to live!!
Any help would be appreciated - from the stupid obvious things, to the not so obvious. Even posts like "don't work there if its the last place on earth" would be helpful in their own way!!!
Thanks in advance guys :)
Concord
Smaller and Greener. 2 Hours away from Dubai. More "old money" than Dubai. About to undergo the same, if not larger, amount of development than Dubai. More of a grid to the city than Dubai.
About all I know...
A64Venice
Its a more conservative place compared to Dubai and a lot more local based society lives there, not too many expats. O yeah, all the places there are numbered!
fayz
Read this thread and good luck.
the_zooter
- fayz wrote:
Read this thread and good luck.
Thanks Fayz - you are a star!!
Any other info I should know?? I mean, I wouldn't be near to my DFM associates, thats one big downside!! But anything else?? I guess if I'm honest I don't like the sound it being less western!
Ok, is living in Dubai and commuting to AD an option??
G
Less western and a lot less nightlife, restaurants, shopping malls, etc. etc.
If your a family man it could actually be a better option than Dubai, but if you are single and enjoy your social life then I personally would not be able to live there over Dubai
arniegang
people do commute Zoots
the_zooter
- arniegang wrote:
people do commute Zoots
Presumably a lot better if you live in the Marina/JBR/Greens areas - its the AD side of Dubai.
Is it really feasable though?? What sort of travel times are we talking about??
arniegang
you are right regards where to live in relation to AD. I think its about 70 miles Zoots, but it is a shit fast road and would probably take less time than 10 miles into town.
the_zooter
- arniegang wrote:
you are right regards where to live in relation to AD. I think its about 70 miles Zoots, but it is a shit fast road and would probably take less time than 10 miles into town.
Ok, so worth considering then I guess - but my main priority remains getting a job in Dubai!!
Thanks so much for your help all of you!! :)
1 Dubai Jobs .com The First Place to Find a Job in Dubai
Chocoholic
Wow, I have to say that people who commute to AD everyday or to Dubai must have nerves of steel, I couldn't stand that.
the_zooter
- Chocoholic wrote:
Wow, I have to say that people who commute to AD everyday or to Dubai must have nerves of steel, I couldn't stand that.
Hmm - thats noted too!! I might be similar distance to commute as say Nottingham to Birmingham in the UK, but a little more intense!! :lol:
Concord
- Chocoholic wrote:
Wow, I have to say that people who commute to AD everyday or to Dubai must have nerves of steel, I couldn't stand that.
I wouldn't do it for a Million Dirhams. The stress on the road would not be worth it even if I were driving a tank!
Concord
- the_zooter wrote:
- arniegang wrote:
you are right regards where to live in relation to AD. I think its about 70 miles Zoots, but it is a shit fast road and would probably take less time than 10 miles into town.
Ok, so worth considering then I guess - but my main priority remains getting a job in Dubai!!
Thanks so much for your help all of you!! :)
What kind of job are you looking for?
fayz
- Concord wrote:
- Chocoholic wrote:
Wow, I have to say that people who commute to AD everyday or to Dubai must have nerves of steel, I couldn't stand that.
I wouldn't do it for a Million Dirhams. The stress on the road would not be worth it even if I were driving a tank!
My only goal when i moved into my place was it should be with in walking distance to work so I know exactly what the two of you are saying but imho i think the commute from AD is a lot easier than the commute from Sharjah. the speed limit is 160 the whole way and traffic isn't too caotic until you reach/leave dubai.
the_zooter
- Concord wrote:
What kind of job are you looking for?
I'm looking for an Accountant's job - its the only thing I know how to do!! :?
the_zooter
- fayz wrote:
My only goal when i moved into my place was it should be with in walking distance to work so I know exactly what the two of you are saying but imho i think the commute from AD is a lot easier than the commute from Sharjah. the speed limit is 160 the whole way and traffic isn't too caotic until you reach/leave dubai.
I didn't think anyone walked in Dubai?!?!?
fayz
- the_zooter wrote:
- fayz wrote:
My only goal when i moved into my place was it should be with in walking distance to work so I know exactly what the two of you are saying but imho i think the commute from AD is a lot easier than the commute from Sharjah. the speed limit is 160 the whole way and traffic isn't too caotic until you reach/leave dubai.
I didn't think anyone walked in Dubai?!?!?
hehehe read the quote carefully i said walking distance not that i walked ;)
joking aside i do actually like walking to work in the winter but in the summer it just is too warm. (about 20 mins to work).
Dubai Knight
- the_zooter wrote:
- fayz wrote:
My only goal when i moved into my place was it should be with in walking distance to work so I know exactly what the two of you are saying but imho i think the commute from AD is a lot easier than the commute from Sharjah. the speed limit is 160 the whole way and traffic isn't too caotic until you reach/leave dubai.
I didn't think anyone walked in Dubai?!?!?
Yes, people walk...from the airconditioned villa to the airconditioned car and then to the airconditioned office or the airconditioned mall...
Some of the malls are big enough to constitute a serious exercise regime to get around them...
Others of us walk to work in the winter, or even ride a mountain bike but be warned...the streets are lethal!
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Knight
Liban
You will find some people that like AD and other that hate it. Personally I prefer Dubai over AD but driving in AD is much more relaxing.
Rents are expensive and similar to Dubai. AD is built more like a city with a defined downtown core and suburbs. AD has two malls to speak of and Marina mall is in competition with Mall of the Emirates... :)
AD is about to undergo the same things Dubai is experiencing so it will turn into a giant dustbin soon.
G
I've got a great piccy of some devlopment in Abu Dhabi but can't figure out how to post a picture - you can't just paste it in??
the_zooter
- G wrote:
I've got a great piccy of some devlopment in Abu Dhabi but can't figure out how to post a picture - you can't just paste it in??
Have a look at this post - will show you how to di it - dead easy!!
Looking forwards to seeing some AD pics
Thanks
G
Thanks Zooter. Will have a look at that a little later
In the meantime this is a pretty good link
/
MaaaD
While AD is much slower in terms of developemtn than Dubai, i feel that they are taking there time and learning from the mistakes that have been done in dubes. Look at the way AD is planned for example, they will never have a traffic problem even if the city population explodes. Ofcourse the tonnes of money they have and the fact they can afford the world's best consultants must have something to do with it too :)
the_zooter
- MaaaD wrote:
While AD is much slower in terms of developemtn than Dubai, i feel that they are taking there time and learning from the mistakes that have been done in dubes. Look at the way AD is planned for example, they will never have a traffic problem even if the city population explodes. Ofcourse the tonnes of money they have and the fact they can afford the world's best consultants must have something to do with it too :)
So in a few years time then, it could well be "better"??
Oooh - another question to ask you guys then. Do they have freezones and stuff?? I know one or two have mentioned its not as western as Dubai, so am I to take it that its far more centred on UAE nationals?? Do they allow alcohol/drinking etc there (I know that Sharjah is a "dry" emirate for example).
MaaaD
- the_zooter wrote:
- MaaaD wrote:
While AD is much slower in terms of developemtn than Dubai, i feel that they are taking there time and learning from the mistakes that have been done in dubes. Look at the way AD is planned for example, they will never have a traffic problem even if the city population explodes. Ofcourse the tonnes of money they have and the fact they can afford the world's best consultants must have something to do with it too :)
So in a few years time then, it could well be "better"??
Oooh - another question to ask you guys then. Do they have freezones and stuff?? I know one or two have mentioned its not as western as Dubai, so am I to take it that its far more centred on UAE nationals?? Do they allow alcohol/drinking etc there (I know that Sharjah is a "dry" emirate for example).
Zoots yes it might be better, but AD has oil for the next 200-300 years so they are not in a rush at all. Unlike Dubai who is running dry very soon and had to go through this massive boom before that happens. Abu Dhabi is not dry, on the contrary it has more relaxed rules on alcohol than Dubai. For example on the even of most islamic holidays (Islamic new year, Prophets birthday, etc..) Dubai is declared dry, while Abu Dhabi bars will be open for buisness. However the problem with Abu Dhabi is lack of choice and variety. But again, Dubai is really close and the prospect of going out to dubai for the weekend is much more appealing to most who live in Abu Dhabi than living in Dubai and commuting to Abu Dhabi.
XRW-147
- Chocoholic wrote:
Wow, I have to say that people who commute to AD everyday or to Dubai must have nerves of steel, I couldn't stand that.
I do it almost every weekend and a couple of times a week and its not too bad - about 45mins from centre of AD to DM. Good chance to catch some tunes on the radio :D
XRW-147
- Concord wrote:
I wouldn't do it for a Million Dirhams. The stress on the road would not be worth it even if I were driving a tank!
Be sure to refer the person offering a tank and million dhs my way C :P
arniegang
you and your radio X ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
:wink: :wink: :wink:
XRW-147
- arniegang wrote:
you and your radio X ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
:wink: :wink: :wink:
Yeah, how ever would I get by without it mate? Even sit at work with the handsfree radio going :lol:
And you tend to to pick up some interesting facts and figures along the way ;)
arniegang
you do X
you do
:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:
avkurian
Hey, as a person who has spent 1 and a half years in Dubai and now nearly 2 years in Abu Dhabi, lemme see if I can help..
General Living:
- Abu Dhabi is smaller than Dubai, which means less time to get from one end to another. Also means your office location need not define where you live. As cabs are plentiful and dirt cheap, not driving too is not an issue.
- Rents are slightly lower than Dubai, but seems to be going up at almost the same rate. Owners are also not bound by any laws on rent caps, and so can raise them at will.
- Cost of other things are the same across the UAE.
Entertainment/Social Life:
- Almost all the kinds of activities in Dubai are available in Abu Dhabi, just that the scale is much smaller. For eg., For every 5 or maybe even 10 pubs in Dubai, you have one in Abu Dhabi. But you will find something for every mood/occasion/preference.
- Malls are less numerous, with AD Mall and Marina Mall being the majors. Al Raha mall is about to open, on Al Raha Beach on the DXB road, and the Khalidiya mall should be open in a year or less.
- Parks/Children's activities are plenty, and parks are well maintained, both in terms of greenery and facilities (games, water etc). You also have options like the Cultural Foundation, which is I guess the equivalent of the town hall. Nice library, Internet access, frequent concerts, plays, shows, art exhibitions, book fairs, and movies (dirt cheap)
- Cinemas are the same brands as in Dubai, and considering the lower number of people who would turn up to watch English movies, tickets are never a problem. Since moving here in 2004, the Da Vinci Code is the first movie that I heard was sold out.
The City:
- Yes, you will see a larger percentage of UAE nationals when compared to expats, and different places will have more of different nationalities.
- The layout of the city is very different from Dubai, in that you have more high-rise buildings concentrated in downtown Abu Dhabi. (Unconfirmed rumours call it 'the Manhattan of the East'.) Typically, the city improves in status as you move towards the Corniche. Villas are in a different section of the city altogether, which means that apartment dwellers and villa dwellers need not cross paths at all.
- Traffic in the city is considered to be more chaotic than Dubai, but only because of driver mentalities. The cars here can actually move, unlike Dubai, and so accidents are plenty. When driving in Abu Dhabi, do not assume that you will not be cut off. When parking, do not assume that someone will not park behind you. And if you have an accident, especially with a UAE national, even if he is at fault, prepare to be blamed.
- Racism will be seen in places like night clubs, but not much more than Dubai.
- AD has actually more of a 'town' mentality than a 'city' one, and is quite proud of its Arab heritage in all that it does. Until now it used to result in garishness, but now, like in the case of the Emirates Palace Hotel, they seem to have found a good balance. Of course, the colours on the top of the hotel can still make you cringe, but the interiors are real classy.
- AD the city is a little island, and normal life happens on it. If you wanna do some repairs to your car, drive off the island to Musaffah, and even the airport is on mainland UAE.
- The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is HUGE! Driving down to the Saudi border one weekend is a good exercise in diversity, and an eye opener for all us city-slickers. Another nice drive is down to Al Ain, a greener city and sleepier.
I actually recommend a move to Abu Dhabi, but not all of you! Dubai is close enough for a weekend trip, and I do come there on weekdays sometimes. If I leave AD by 4pm, I'm at Dubai Marina by 5pm, and then near Wafi by 6! On the highway to Dubai, until you reach the Emirate of Dubai, the speed limit is 160kmph. If you want to go slower, be very careful when venturing into the fast lane. AD drivers believe that 160kmph is a general indication of where your speedo needle should hover, and u can see cars doing 180-200.
Working here is quite different, as you can expect a more traditional/conservative approach to almost anything. Still, its a difference seen almost everywhere in the world. In India, you see the same difference between Delhi, the capital, and Mumbai, the capital of everything else!
I guess its up to you, whether you want an action-packed life that never lets up, or a life that lets you sit back and relax at least every now and then.
Hope this helps. Cheers, and all the best.
Sara1983
- avkurian wrote:
Hey, as a person who has spent 1 and a half years in Dubai and now nearly 2 years in Abu Dhabi, lemme see if I can help..
General Living:
- Abu Dhabi is smaller than Dubai, which means less time to get from one end to another. Also means your office location need not define where you live. As cabs are plentiful and dirt cheap, not driving too is not an issue.
- Rents are slightly lower than Dubai, but seems to be going up at almost the same rate. Owners are also not bound by any laws on rent caps, and so can raise them at will.
- Cost of other things are the same across the UAE.
Entertainment/Social Life:
- Almost all the kinds of activities in Dubai are available in Abu Dhabi, just that the scale is much smaller. For eg., For every 5 or maybe even 10 pubs in Dubai, you have one in Abu Dhabi. But you will find something for every mood/occasion/preference.
- Malls are less numerous, with AD Mall and Marina Mall being the majors. Al Raha mall is about to open, on Al Raha Beach on the DXB road, and the Khalidiya mall should be open in a year or less.
- Parks/Children's activities are plenty, and parks are well maintained, both in terms of greenery and facilities (games, water etc). You also have options like the Cultural Foundation, which is I guess the equivalent of the town hall. Nice library, Internet access, frequent concerts, plays, shows, art exhibitions, book fairs, and movies (dirt cheap)
- Cinemas are the same brands as in Dubai, and considering the lower number of people who would turn up to watch English movies, tickets are never a problem. Since moving here in 2004, the Da Vinci Code is the first movie that I heard was sold out.
The City:
- Yes, you will see a larger percentage of UAE nationals when compared to expats, and different places will have more of different nationalities.
- The layout of the city is very different from Dubai, in that you have more high-rise buildings concentrated in downtown Abu Dhabi. (Unconfirmed rumours call it 'the Manhattan of the East'.) Typically, the city improves in status as you move towards the Corniche. Villas are in a different section of the city altogether, which means that apartment dwellers and villa dwellers need not cross paths at all.
- Traffic in the city is considered to be more chaotic than Dubai, but only because of driver mentalities. The cars here can actually move, unlike Dubai, and so accidents are plenty. When driving in Abu Dhabi, do not assume that you will not be cut off. When parking, do not assume that someone will not park behind you. And if you have an accident, especially with a UAE national, even if he is at fault, prepare to be blamed.
- Racism will be seen in places like night clubs, but not much more than Dubai.
- AD has actually more of a 'town' mentality than a 'city' one, and is quite proud of its Arab heritage in all that it does. Until now it used to result in garishness, but now, like in the case of the Emirates Palace Hotel, they seem to have found a good balance. Of course, the colours on the top of the hotel can still make you cringe, but the interiors are real classy.
- AD the city is a little island, and normal life happens on it. If you wanna do some repairs to your car, drive off the island to Musaffah, and even the airport is on mainland UAE.
- The Emirate of Abu Dhabi is HUGE! Driving down to the Saudi border one weekend is a good exercise in diversity, and an eye opener for all us city-slickers. Another nice drive is down to Al Ain, a greener city and sleepier.
I actually recommend a move to Abu Dhabi, but not all of you! Dubai is close enough for a weekend trip, and I do come there on weekdays sometimes. If I leave AD by 4pm, I'm at Dubai Marina by 5pm, and then near Wafi by 6! On the highway to Dubai, until you reach the Emirate of Dubai, the speed limit is 160kmph. If you want to go slower, be very careful when venturing into the fast lane. AD drivers believe that 160kmph is a general indication of where your speedo needle should hover, and u can see cars doing 180-200.
Working here is quite different, as you can expect a more traditional/conservative approach to almost anything. Still, its a difference seen almost everywhere in the world. In India, you see the same difference between Delhi, the capital, and Mumbai, the capital of everything else!
I guess its up to you, whether you want an action-packed life that never lets up, or a life that lets you sit back and relax at least every now and then.
Hope this helps. Cheers, and all the best.
Wow thats some huge info, didn't read all,
There ya go Zooter :wink:
Liban
Very good post.
Me likes :)
the_zooter
Wow - avkurian I am really grateful to you - top post!! Thank you!
Liban/Arnie - any chance of putting this on a Sticky or something, probably in the Expat help forum?? I'm sure the question might come up again.
Thanks again guys!!
muneerkm
Transferred to Expat help
MOD
muneerkm
Transferred to Expat help
MOD
g00se
Avkurian -
Excellent and accurate post. Nice 1 !
Zooter -
Also having similar experiences to The Oracle above [ :wink: ] I would also add that expats who firts come to Dubai, love it and dislike AD. And vice versa. It really depends on what you're looking for in your lifestyle.
Another issue to remember here in AD, is that the pu blic beach [located at the far end of the corniche] is due to be closed soon, as Da Big Bloke With Da Sheckels wans his new palace there. A real shame for all the thousands of normal peeps like me who love to spend their w/e's chillin on the sea and sand. Also the corniche was lovely. 9km of prestine walking next to a shimmering azure sea. Not too sure what thye're doing to it now, but slap-bang in the middle is a horrible mess of dredged land that may be used to build a bride between the mainland and Lulu Island ? [can someone confirm this ??] Eitehr way. It looks a bl00dy mess and has spoilt the corniche. Pretty soon, there will be nowhere for plebs like me to enjoy the sun & sea. That'll be the time to go.
Francheska
I am for Abu Dhabi.