New to Dubai...
Discussion
Hi all, I've posted a couple of times on here during my three years in Riyadh and have always been envious of the trackdays, racing and car nerd stuff taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!
Now I've got the chance to be envious much closer as I'm moving to Dubai next month.
I've read some of the threads on here, taking note of some of the pitfalls that I'm inevitably going to fall in to, and am looking forward to getting stuck in.
I managed to squeeze a few trackdays in the UK and it's something I'd like to continue if possible, after a 3 year hiatus in KSA. First I'll need an appropriate car - I'll be bringing wife and 1 year old so I'm initially restricted to a family car - thoughts are C63, M3 4 door (hen's teeth comes to mind on that one), Charger SRT, Jeep SRT etc...any advice on whether these are terrible choices?! I know dealers here in KSA can be a bit relaxed in their attitude to service and workmanship - is the same true for the big names in Dubai?
I've read that all housing agencies are terrible - I've spoken to one and they seemed ok...is that a facade?! The charges he mentioned seemed to match third party information I found elsewhere, and he didn't seem pushy or 'slick' as I might have expected.
Unfortunately my budget isn't quite the same as others I've seen on here so I'm looking for something up to 160k (the company pays only a contribution towards accommodation as it's a local contract rather than expat) - I'm currently thinking of a townhouse in the Springs as the office is in Media City and it seems a decent commute. Any words for / against?
Looks like I'll be starting early July, so just in time for Ramadan and midsummer heat. Perfect...
Now I've got the chance to be envious much closer as I'm moving to Dubai next month.
I've read some of the threads on here, taking note of some of the pitfalls that I'm inevitably going to fall in to, and am looking forward to getting stuck in.
I managed to squeeze a few trackdays in the UK and it's something I'd like to continue if possible, after a 3 year hiatus in KSA. First I'll need an appropriate car - I'll be bringing wife and 1 year old so I'm initially restricted to a family car - thoughts are C63, M3 4 door (hen's teeth comes to mind on that one), Charger SRT, Jeep SRT etc...any advice on whether these are terrible choices?! I know dealers here in KSA can be a bit relaxed in their attitude to service and workmanship - is the same true for the big names in Dubai?
I've read that all housing agencies are terrible - I've spoken to one and they seemed ok...is that a facade?! The charges he mentioned seemed to match third party information I found elsewhere, and he didn't seem pushy or 'slick' as I might have expected.
Unfortunately my budget isn't quite the same as others I've seen on here so I'm looking for something up to 160k (the company pays only a contribution towards accommodation as it's a local contract rather than expat) - I'm currently thinking of a townhouse in the Springs as the office is in Media City and it seems a decent commute. Any words for / against?
Looks like I'll be starting early July, so just in time for Ramadan and midsummer heat. Perfect...
Firstly... welcome to this end of the sandpit.
Springs sounds like a good choice for accommodation, I lived there for a couple of years before moving to Meadows and my morning drive to work still takes me through Media City.
Depending on the times you work you'll face a little traffic by the school in Springs and the entrance to Media 1 but nothing major.
Generally the lower the number of spring the more desireable it is, (I was in Springs 3 which was decent enough) though there are exceptions to this rule.
160k should get you either a 3 bed with nothing left for the bills or a 2 bed (that has a large study downstairs) with enough left to cover all the bills.
You might get lucky and get a 3m style villa for less than 160 but be careful on location and condition, some of the Springs villas are cheap for a reason nowadays.
Springs sounds like a good choice for accommodation, I lived there for a couple of years before moving to Meadows and my morning drive to work still takes me through Media City.
Depending on the times you work you'll face a little traffic by the school in Springs and the entrance to Media 1 but nothing major.
Generally the lower the number of spring the more desireable it is, (I was in Springs 3 which was decent enough) though there are exceptions to this rule.
160k should get you either a 3 bed with nothing left for the bills or a 2 bed (that has a large study downstairs) with enough left to cover all the bills.
You might get lucky and get a 3m style villa for less than 160 but be careful on location and condition, some of the Springs villas are cheap for a reason nowadays.
Thanks gents, I'm hoping it will be less fraught but I don't want to have any high expectations on that side of things!
I spoke to Exclusive Links (on recommendation) and in fact their advice re: the Springs matches K50 DEL's advice exactly.
Initially I'm looking for a 2 bed place. I understand (as per KSA) that 2 normally means 2 + study or small bedroom. I'm expecting somewhere smaller than the company provided villa here, but with the benefits of Dubai over KSA I'm not going to die in a ditch over it!
I spoke to Exclusive Links (on recommendation) and in fact their advice re: the Springs matches K50 DEL's advice exactly.
Initially I'm looking for a 2 bed place. I understand (as per KSA) that 2 normally means 2 + study or small bedroom. I'm expecting somewhere smaller than the company provided villa here, but with the benefits of Dubai over KSA I'm not going to die in a ditch over it!
Hi
We have been doing the agent thing for the last fortnight...I think I have blown a blood vessel through stress!
As of a hour ago, we appear to have a place to live so once the contract is signed and cheques paid, we can relax and breath. Then the more important task of buying a decent car can take place!
Anyways, of the multitude we have been dealing with, the present chap has been outstanding. He is from the Uk and actually responds to emails, calls and smses (I could not believe it!) and including late at night. He picked up my wife and kids and drove them out as I was in work. My wife thinks he is great (I have only spoken with him) and she tells me he is a car nut too. She asked (well donem Mrs XB70) whether he was on Pistonheads and he apparently has in the past.
Drop me a PM if you want his details or am I allowed post them up here?
Cheers
We have been doing the agent thing for the last fortnight...I think I have blown a blood vessel through stress!
As of a hour ago, we appear to have a place to live so once the contract is signed and cheques paid, we can relax and breath. Then the more important task of buying a decent car can take place!
Anyways, of the multitude we have been dealing with, the present chap has been outstanding. He is from the Uk and actually responds to emails, calls and smses (I could not believe it!) and including late at night. He picked up my wife and kids and drove them out as I was in work. My wife thinks he is great (I have only spoken with him) and she tells me he is a car nut too. She asked (well donem Mrs XB70) whether he was on Pistonheads and he apparently has in the past.
Drop me a PM if you want his details or am I allowed post them up here?
Cheers
shirt said:
surely remraam is an option if you're looking to make your money go further. only problem there is you'll be living near the only gay in the village.
Looks miiiiiles out from where I'll be working, and unfortunately I've no idea what you mean, although I'm not sure I want to find out, cheers!TomV8 said:
I've been advised that jumeirah village circle or jumeirah village triangle should be on my list of places to check out. Any good?
I'm in JVT, worth a look, JVC very under developed still, huge with lots of sub developers, lots of construction sites ongoing, others sat still. Seems to be very popular with hotels, big apartment blocks for their staff.2 bed, independent villa here is about 160-170, good size (actually a lot of wasted space in them), massive plots, good access to arterial roads etc etc, supermarket here now. Development is finished other than some landscaping here and there
Conjoined to Springs/Meadows and all that retail, no communal pools though.
If you want showing round, the good and bad bits, I'm on 050 3984002 and no plans tomorrow as it stands.
I am moving to a 3 bedroom duplex apartment in JVC AED 150K. It is a brand new building and has good access to Al Khail Road so easy to get to most places (airport and Aurodrome for me, work for the wife). Should be moving in about 2 weeks.
We did see 3/4 bedroom town houses for ~160K.
We did see 3/4 bedroom town houses for ~160K.
dxbtiger said:
TomV8 said:
I've been advised that jumeirah village circle or jumeirah village triangle should be on my list of places to check out. Any good?
I'm in JVT, worth a look, JVC very under developed still, huge with lots of sub developers, lots of construction sites ongoing, others sat still. Seems to be very popular with hotels, big apartment blocks for their staff.2 bed, independent villa here is about 160-170, good size (actually a lot of wasted space in them), massive plots, good access to arterial roads etc etc, supermarket here now. Development is finished other than some landscaping here and there
Conjoined to Springs/Meadows and all that retail, no communal pools though.
If you want showing round, the good and bad bits, I'm on 050 3984002 and no plans tomorrow as it stands.
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff