Dubai - what is the latest there?
Dubai - what is the latest there?
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Discussion

swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Thursday 7th May
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Please move thread to appropriate section or merge with correct thread as I couldn’t find a discussion on this .
Just wondering, any PHers living there and what is it like at the moment ?

Jaybee1981

69 posts

144 months

Thursday 7th May
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Bit quieter but completely fine.
Anything specific you want to know about?

swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Thursday 7th May
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Thanks - was wondering are there loads of empty apartments - big blocks going unsold etc ? Any companies leaving ? That sort of thing . I nearly bought a place over there a few years ago so I’m interested I suppose

Marshall878

131 posts

19 months

Friday 8th May
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From what I've seen...business as usual. Rent and house prices certainly haven't dropped as much as expected in Abu Dhabi. Demand is still there, new developments still being released almost weekly.

My biggest gripe is schools! My boy was out of nursery (not cheap) for months, finally went back after being fed spiel about new procedures being in place, additional training being given should alerts happen when at school. Went back for 2 weeks, collected money for term 3, then closed immediately after the alerts earlier this week! Apparently reopening next week....inshallah

swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Friday 8th May
quotequote all
Ahh - that’s a pain for you . Dubai seems to have dropped off the headlines in the UK. Thanks for letting me know - do you feel you have made a nice life for yourself out there ? Are you an expat from somewhere else ?

Marshall878

131 posts

19 months

Friday 8th May
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swanseaboydan said:
Ahh - that s a pain for you . Dubai seems to have dropped off the headlines in the UK. Thanks for letting me know - do you feel you have made a nice life for yourself out there ? Are you an expat from somewhere else ?
Thank god it's quietened down. The whole "tax evading" stereotype was driving me insane!

I'm originally from the UK, moved out here for a job back in 2014 at the age of 24. I was a lodger at my dads, commuting into Cambridge, struggling to be able to save for a mortgage and pay for the fuel commuting. Opportunity arose and I took it. 12 years later I am still here, married (met here), with a 2year old (born here). Work is...st, career progression is poor, plus other issues with job security but I have managed a decent work/life balance that suits me.

We have everything on our doorstep, abundance of things to do to keep us busy outside of work and the sun is always shining (albeit 50 degrees in the summer which is hell).

I'm currently itching to move on, but the UK isn't on my list.

Wills2

28,593 posts

200 months

Friday 8th May
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swanseaboydan said:
Thanks - was wondering are there loads of empty apartments - big blocks going unsold etc ? Any companies leaving ? That sort of thing . I nearly bought a place over there a few years ago so I m interested I suppose
You're not going to find residents saying anything too negative about Dubai online, they have very strict laws about that sort of thing, you'd be better off looking at news reports rather than asking people that can't really tell the truth.



Jaybee1981

69 posts

144 months

Friday 8th May
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Wills2 said:
You're not going to find residents saying anything too negative about Dubai online, they have very strict laws about that sort of thing, you'd be better off looking at news reports rather than asking people that can't really tell the truth.

Haha We're not captives!
And everything i will say is the truth.

its almost completely business as usual.
The hospitality sector is feeling the drop in tourism but i was in Dubai airport Sunday and it was rammed.
I flew to US on business and will be flying back later today. flights 45 minutes longer as i presume there is some route change.
Businesses are open.
The vast majority of us are completely unaffected.
Is there any particular you'd like to know?

Lastly, to hold up the media as the bastion of truth is quite a stretch...

swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Friday 8th May
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How do you and family cope with the heat over the summer ?
Do you still get the chance to enjoy much stuff outdoors ?

Marshall878

131 posts

19 months

Monday 11th May
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Jaybee1981 said:
Haha We're not captives!
And everything i will say is the truth.
Well said, the whole narrative is quite tiresome!

swanseaboydan said:
How do you and family cope with the heat over the summer ?
Do you still get the chance to enjoy much stuff outdoors ?
Cope...more like survive biglaugh Most of summer is spent hiding indoors or travelling to escape. It's become 10x more difficult since the little man came along who wants to be outdoors constantly. The amount of money spent last year at soft play was a shock, be even worse this year now he's 2 and needs constantly entertaining! Weekends are currently spent at the pool but it's now beginning to push into the 40s so that won't last much longer.

swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Monday 11th May
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I can imagine. I suppose it’s the ideal place to spend 6 months of the year then have another country that is cooler to escape to. Does it end up feeling a little deserted at the hottest time of year ?

okgo

41,726 posts

223 months

Monday 11th May
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I spoke to a mate who has lived there for over a decade, it s dead. Everywhere is quiet, hotels dead, still getting texts to say there s some war related drama incoming periodically. His wife lost her job in events too due to the lack of events I assume they’re hosting.

Said lots of family colleagues had packed it in, and schools shutting made it an easier decision. Oddly holiday prices don t seem to have dropped much.


swanseaboydan

Original Poster:

2,316 posts

188 months

Monday 11th May
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Will there be a huge shift there away from influencer led promotion to something more long term I wonder ?