New to Abu Dhabi
Discussion
I'm in the final throws of being headhunted out to Abu Dhabi, I've been travelling with work for a few years so simple case of dropping the lease car at the office and having 2-3 boxes shipped. The money is good, big firm, car and apartment allowance.
I've heard there's a better social scene in Dubai but I'm not sure I could hack the 3hr return commute. Kean to get stuck into some sports clubs / car scene etc. as well as buying myself something shiny to cruise around in.
Any tips, trick, pitfalls much appreciated?
- Where's a good place to live, agencies etc.
- 4x4 worth the running costs? What does the local market prefer e.g. 7 yr old Cayenne vs S500
- Social scene for young professional (avoiding the American Psycho types)
- Sports clubs... sailing, rowing, soccer, rugby
I've heard there's a better social scene in Dubai but I'm not sure I could hack the 3hr return commute. Kean to get stuck into some sports clubs / car scene etc. as well as buying myself something shiny to cruise around in.
Any tips, trick, pitfalls much appreciated?
- Where's a good place to live, agencies etc.
- 4x4 worth the running costs? What does the local market prefer e.g. 7 yr old Cayenne vs S500
- Social scene for young professional (avoiding the American Psycho types)
- Sports clubs... sailing, rowing, soccer, rugby
Welcome to the UAE,
I've been here for the past 4 years (3 in Dubai, last year in Abu Dhabi), There is a crowed of PH's here in Abu Dhabi, and a larger crowed in Dubai.
Where to live in AD will depend on where you work, but places like Reem Island are good for access to the City or there are places like Al Bandar that give you access to the YAS bars,clubs and restaurants as well as being a bit closer to Dubai, the trade off being the commute into the city.
We live on Saadiyat, which is very nice, has good access to the city but is a little more family orientated.
On the car front, people drive all kinds of cars out here, we have a S2000 and a F150 Raptor. The 4x4 thing is popular as it gives you a little more road authority, as petrol is cheap you can afford to run a larger car as long as you can afford the extra tire and brake costs. We have the Raptor as we do allot of camping and like to go into the desert, also useful for towing our boat and race car. There is a large track-day scene, with the Autodrome in Dubai holding two or three trackdays a month. Plus the Evolve autotest and sprint events.
As for something shiny to drive around in, go look through this post for some inspiration - Shirt is the Middle East PH car evaluator, if its for sale he knows about it.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Social scene - You are correct in saying AD is a little slower than Dubai, but there are still good nights to be had and people to meet here in AD. We tend to venture across to Dubai for a real big night.
Sports clubs are in abundance, Sailing - Yes, Rowing - not sure, Soccer and rugby - most definitely.
If you want any more info give us a shout, let us know when you get here and we'll have to meet up for PH drinks.
Sam
I've been here for the past 4 years (3 in Dubai, last year in Abu Dhabi), There is a crowed of PH's here in Abu Dhabi, and a larger crowed in Dubai.
Where to live in AD will depend on where you work, but places like Reem Island are good for access to the City or there are places like Al Bandar that give you access to the YAS bars,clubs and restaurants as well as being a bit closer to Dubai, the trade off being the commute into the city.
We live on Saadiyat, which is very nice, has good access to the city but is a little more family orientated.
On the car front, people drive all kinds of cars out here, we have a S2000 and a F150 Raptor. The 4x4 thing is popular as it gives you a little more road authority, as petrol is cheap you can afford to run a larger car as long as you can afford the extra tire and brake costs. We have the Raptor as we do allot of camping and like to go into the desert, also useful for towing our boat and race car. There is a large track-day scene, with the Autodrome in Dubai holding two or three trackdays a month. Plus the Evolve autotest and sprint events.
As for something shiny to drive around in, go look through this post for some inspiration - Shirt is the Middle East PH car evaluator, if its for sale he knows about it.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Social scene - You are correct in saying AD is a little slower than Dubai, but there are still good nights to be had and people to meet here in AD. We tend to venture across to Dubai for a real big night.
Sports clubs are in abundance, Sailing - Yes, Rowing - not sure, Soccer and rugby - most definitely.
If you want any more info give us a shout, let us know when you get here and we'll have to meet up for PH drinks.
Sam
Another in Saadiyat Island, I'm in the Residences at the St. Regis. 6 months here from the UK and loving it so far.
As above definitely slower than Dubai but don't worry there is still an abundance of things to do.
If you're interested in cycling give me a shout, that's my biggest hobby although a little hot during the day just now.
As above definitely slower than Dubai but don't worry there is still an abundance of things to do.
If you're interested in cycling give me a shout, that's my biggest hobby although a little hot during the day just now.
shirt said:
haha. slight quantifier though sam - if its manual, for sale, left field and potentially ruinous i know about it! maserati shamals all round!
LOL..Edited by shirt on Thursday 7th August 08:24
Regarding the daily commute, it is something to think seriously about as from my experience, if you want to have the highlife in Dubai and commute every day to Abu Dhabi, you will soon find out that the two don't always combine well, (or maybe I am getting old). I pretty much only go out at weekends or on the night before I am due to work in Dubai these days. The length of the commute can vary significantly depending on the start and end points; a colleague lives in Mirdiff and has a half hour drive just to get to me when we lift share and a friend lives Downtown but works on the Corniche - both easily adding an hour to the round trip. I never thought I'd say this, but you do kind of get used to the driving. Its not that they are actually trying to kill you, the other road users just don't care if you do die. 150 Raptor will bull bars would be my recommendation for that road.
Stylus said:
Another in Saadiyat Island, I'm in the Residences at the St. Regis. 6 months here from the UK and loving it so far.
As above definitely slower than Dubai but don't worry there is still an abundance of things to do.
If you're interested in cycling give me a shout, that's my biggest hobby although a little hot during the day just now.
We are neighbors then I'm also in the Residences (block 2), I'm having drinks with another PH'er (h_) on Sunday eve down at turquoise if you fancy meeting up?As above definitely slower than Dubai but don't worry there is still an abundance of things to do.
If you're interested in cycling give me a shout, that's my biggest hobby although a little hot during the day just now.
samnorthy said:
We are neighbors then I'm also in the Residences (block 2), I'm having drinks with another PH'er (h_) on Sunday eve down at turquoise if you fancy meeting up?
Small world! Let me plan to be there, but if not I'll let you know. We're in block 6, not met many people yet so even if I can't do Sunday we can meet up another!Cheers
Thanks for all the posts guys, good to know there's a good community over there.
In terms of location a lot of the availability seems to be around Al Reem, but I can't get any info to say what it's like back on street level. Preferably like to live somewhere with something on my doorstep rather than always relying on the car. My office will be in the Nation Tower on Corniche but I'll be flying every week so access to the airport on the complete opposite side of the city is also a consideration. I noticed that the sailing / rowing seems to be also based near Corniche so that's another vote in it's favour.
Two votes for the F150 Raptor - I'll check it out but I think my heart is after a German / Italian V8. A CL63 or Maserati Granturismo being the dream but a 2007 S500 / Cayenne S closer to reality. If the locals aren't keen on used cars I might go looking for a deal on new Camaro.
In terms of location a lot of the availability seems to be around Al Reem, but I can't get any info to say what it's like back on street level. Preferably like to live somewhere with something on my doorstep rather than always relying on the car. My office will be in the Nation Tower on Corniche but I'll be flying every week so access to the airport on the complete opposite side of the city is also a consideration. I noticed that the sailing / rowing seems to be also based near Corniche so that's another vote in it's favour.
Two votes for the F150 Raptor - I'll check it out but I think my heart is after a German / Italian V8. A CL63 or Maserati Granturismo being the dream but a 2007 S500 / Cayenne S closer to reality. If the locals aren't keen on used cars I might go looking for a deal on new Camaro.
used market is very healthy, but not many people are 'car' people. this can mean you get bargains, but mainly you just find folk with an overinflated view of what their car is worth and a dubious idea of 'mint condition'.
start on dubizzle.com for an idea on prices, minus 10% for cash haggling. cars on you list are all in plentiful supply.
start on dubizzle.com for an idea on prices, minus 10% for cash haggling. cars on you list are all in plentiful supply.
shirt said:
used market is very healthy, but not many people are 'car' people. this can mean you get bargains, but mainly you just find folk with an overinflated view of what their car is worth and a dubious idea of 'mint condition'.
start on dubizzle.com for an idea on prices, minus 10% for cash haggling. cars on you list are all in plentiful supply.
Thanks Shirt! Any recommendations of good used dealers much appreciated? Although I'd imagine I'll be in a Hertz Fullsize rental for the first few weeks until I've got my residence card etc. It's still no harm to focus on the important things start on dubizzle.com for an idea on prices, minus 10% for cash haggling. cars on you list are all in plentiful supply.
Even smaller world, I'm in Saadiyat, moved out to the sand box late last year. Ref the OP, I bought a car through dubizzle. I found the selection in Dubai was better and cars slightly cheaper, it's not much of a hassle to then import it to abu dhabi. Tips would be get it checked by a garage- particularly 4x4's given they might have been taken into the dessert and slammed. Also regular oil changes, air filter changes etc. are a must, this coupled with a rather in sha'allah approach to servicing when the warranty expires means you should go through all docs and service histories with a fine tooth comb. I ended up with a b7 RS4 which I'm very happy with and for a decent price. There are always expats leaving and looking to do a deal so be patient and I'm sure something interesting will turn up. Given petrol prices a V8 is a minimum requirement!
One thing I have noticed in ab dab is a dearth of decent indi garages, the local franchised dealers are pretty pants, has anyone got a recommendation? I've been using autohaus in Dubai who are good, but the flog up to Dubai is getting to be a PITA.
Cheers
One thing I have noticed in ab dab is a dearth of decent indi garages, the local franchised dealers are pretty pants, has anyone got a recommendation? I've been using autohaus in Dubai who are good, but the flog up to Dubai is getting to be a PITA.
Cheers
velocitas said:
Thanks Shirt! Any recommendations of good used dealers much appreciated?
You having a laugh, you pay your money and take a chance. Caveat emptor.Buying a car do your home work have it checked, I bought my car as a jap import from the free zone export market on the basis the Japanese tend to look after cars, but they are sold a seen which puts a lot of people. Also there are a lot of import US cars on the used market with dubious histories.
Best is an expat owned car private sale with service history, I have been to many a back street garage and several reputable ones to trust a dealer's word in Dubai.
Cheers Jason / John. Dubizzle it is, great to have an idea on the basics beforehand but I'm in no rush to when I arrive so I'll weigh up my options when I get out there. Appreciate all the info!
To keep it car related current thoughts are for a C222 CL63 AMG ideal for cruising between AD and Dubai while getting a cooled massage. With the other strong possibility being a LX570 which could manage the commute but also desert trips and the odd towing should any toys join the line up later.
What car thread has been bookmarked
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
To keep it car related current thoughts are for a C222 CL63 AMG ideal for cruising between AD and Dubai while getting a cooled massage. With the other strong possibility being a LX570 which could manage the commute but also desert trips and the odd towing should any toys join the line up later.
What car thread has been bookmarked
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Edited by velocitas on Monday 18th August 12:44
Hi there,
Haven't been on the Middle East forum for yonks.
I've lived in AD for a year now. Love it.
We were on Reem Island and have just moved to Al Nayhan.
Be great to meet up with some like minded folks for some hoppy libation
I'm selling my mate's V8 Volvo XC90 for him. He's given me POA as he left UAE and is now in Jamaica working.
I bought his V6 Touareg which is quite a laugh in sports mode.
Haven't been on the Middle East forum for yonks.
I've lived in AD for a year now. Love it.
We were on Reem Island and have just moved to Al Nayhan.
Be great to meet up with some like minded folks for some hoppy libation
I'm selling my mate's V8 Volvo XC90 for him. He's given me POA as he left UAE and is now in Jamaica working.
I bought his V6 Touareg which is quite a laugh in sports mode.
POA: Power of Attorney in this instance, not Price on Application
He paid 75,000 AED for it 2 years ago from a dubizzle ad and is willing to let it go for a very attractive price now as has left the country.
I also have the number of a local mechanic he used for both 4 x 4s.
Panameras are very popular over here and Porsche do a very attractive no money down ( I think ) and drive away in a brand new vehicle deal. It's a pretty good deal if you think in pounds.
I'm a 911 nut however if I was in a position to, I would go Maserati over here. The driving is pretty dull over here and the Maseratis I've seen look amazing.
Getting the Touareg wrapped is quite tempting...
He paid 75,000 AED for it 2 years ago from a dubizzle ad and is willing to let it go for a very attractive price now as has left the country.
I also have the number of a local mechanic he used for both 4 x 4s.
Panameras are very popular over here and Porsche do a very attractive no money down ( I think ) and drive away in a brand new vehicle deal. It's a pretty good deal if you think in pounds.
I'm a 911 nut however if I was in a position to, I would go Maserati over here. The driving is pretty dull over here and the Maseratis I've seen look amazing.
Getting the Touareg wrapped is quite tempting...
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