Princess_CrankyPants
I guess I should have introduced myself first.
I am Catharine from Melbourne, Australia and we are moring to Dubai in the next few months.
I have found this forum to be excellent.
Still have issues finding good websites that list accomadation + photographs. I think when we get there the company that my husband will be working for are going to arrange a serviced apartment for a month, so during that time we can look around and find some suitable accomadation.
My husband will be working 6 days a week, I think he has Friday's off, do you know if it is possible to check out apartments/ villas after 6pm or on Friday's?
Thanks again, this forum is a wonderful sourse if information
Princess_CrankyPants
Wish I could speel.
GAB
Very funny!! :lol: Love your username! I think your best bet for finding accomodation is the Gulf News classifieds-you can use their on-line facility. One piece of advice-find accomodation close to your husbands work-travel times vary in Dubai-this morning it was a long haul because of fog, a few days back it was the rain (puddles are very daunting for people!!) and usually it is just a crash!! :shock: It can be like living in Melbourne ie you live in Hawthorn, it is footy season, you work in the centre of town, it takes 45 minutes to get home and you wonder why you are not walking!! Betterhomes website had some photos of accomodation and so did some other sites like emaar-that'll give you an idea of what the apartments look like and also new places like Springs, Greens etc. Have you been here before??
Princess_CrankyPants
No, I have not been to Dubai before.
DH spent many years in Bahrain as a child.
Luckily I have spent several years in the Outback where for much of the year is is 40-50 degrees.
But not good with humidity....
He will be working on one of the Plam Islands.
Do you have suggestions about a 'nice' area close to there.
We have about a 110 AED per year to spend on rent. 2 bedrooms MAX. I would like a big, bright apartment close to DH work. DH would like a Villa. He says an apartment will be too noisy and small...
I don't enjoy driving and I think driving in Dubai would do my head in, so I guess I will catch cabs everywhere, get ripped off for a while until I figure out how much it should cost.
So far no one has been able to give me info re Souks vs Supermarket for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. I love shopping at the Queen Vic Market in Melbourne, DH tells me that it may be different in Dubai...
Is it true we have to pay rent up front for a year? What if we want to move (ie have a baby or something and need a larger place)
Thanks again for your help.
It is an exciting, but scary time in our lives.
GAB
Hi, Queen Vic markets are a gem! I do know there are markets here-a fish market and a fruit and veg market but you'd have to drive. Basically, if I drive here you can-just make sure you get a realllllllly big car with a reallllllllly loud horn-it's fun!! Trust me!! :lol: :lol: :lol: I shop mainly at Union Coop, one because it is the cheapest supermarket and it has great fresh fish-I think they do three catches a day, and I like the fish guys and the butchers-they are always nice to me....probably because I am polite!! :D
Now the palms-there are three and they are spread out, so you'd have to say where!! Good budget-can get a nice villa in a great area close to the Jumeirah beach for that or similarly you could get an apartment and have the pool etc-up to you. We have kids-I wanted the yard. You could also get a villa in a group that has a shared pool and possibly gym facilities.
Outback won't help you, sorry honey!! The humidity plus the heat is crap!! Remember the crappy weather does not last all year!! But having said that Dubai is a great place to live-you'll love the restaurants (varies from basic to 5 star), the outdoor lifestyle and the shopping. Your DH will love the endless sea of cranes-it is a construction heaven!! :lol:
Princess_CrankyPants
DH thought I could catch a taxi to the Souk?
But the Union supermarket sounds good, I just want somehwere that has fresh, good quality food.
We both love to eat and I love to cook. And will enjoy being a domestic goddess rather than a frazzeled full-time worked plus cook/ cleaner etc!
I may look for work, teaching English probably, but only a few days a week.
GAB
I thought you said you had Toefl or whatever-I see alot of ads for this type of work and I think you'll have no trouble getting work. BTW you can get taxis anywhere.
Jumeirah Island-live in Jumeirah or Umm Sequiem- look around for villas etc around Al Wasl Road and Jumeirah Beach Road. I'm not sure tho' that anyone wants to live on Jumeirah Beach Road as it is an absloute effing nightmare with road works and pavement works-businesses must be livid as must the residents...apparently it was to be completed last month :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: not a hope in hell!! Al Wasl Road has every major supermarket on it plus banks, the post office, petrol stations, dentists, doctors, chiropractors etc. This road also has easy access to Sheikh Zayed Road and any streets off of here are close to the beach. Off Jumeirah Beach Road you can walk to the beach of course.
Most people I know that live in these areas don't complain about traffic EXCEPT when they have to go to something the other side of the creek.
Cooking wise-you can get everything here that you can at home plus more!! More stuff from every country than you can poke a stick at. Except for Cherry Ripe bars!! oooh and Napisan but that is hardly food is it?? :lol:
Princess_CrankyPants
No Cheery Ripe of Napisan
I can't come
lol
What about Haigh's Chocolates?
You are an absolute GEM for helping me.
GAB
No honey, no Haigh's and I lived around the corner from their factory-walking distance!! (I lived in Melb for a while but I am afraid I am from the retirement village of Australia! Ole Adel. is a wee bit quiet!!) The only factory to roast their own cocoa beans-best choc frogs eva!!. I've even seen Mr Haigh!! :shock:
If you want anything just PM me & I'll see what I can do and when you get here you can pop in for a coffee!
Cheers!
Princess_CrankyPants
Thanks again.
My head is spinning.
I am sure it will all work out.
It is my husband who will have the hardest job, working 6 days a week, 12 hours a day.
Me, I will just have to worry about where to get the food etc.
I hope we can catch up for a coffee.
I'll bring the Chocolate Frogs!
1 Dubai Jobs .com The First Place to Find a Job in Dubai
GAB
Construction industry sux anywhere- he'll be looking at 12 hour plus days!! Job sites are 24 hours so feel pity for the guys on night shift-I think it screws with their body clock.
BTW serviced apartments are pricey- see if your company will pay for this short term. I am pretty sure I asked dbxsoul a few questions about this before I arrived so do a search under his username and you'll find some really helpful info.
Princess_CrankyPants
DH is working nights at the moment anyway! (Supervisors supermarket renovations) and you are right, it plays havoc with his body clock (and does my head in)