Moving to Dubai this summer

Hello everyone!

First a big thank you to this forum, I have gotten a lot of information that I would have been asking when I arrive.

Now that I have researched via this forum, other forums, asking friends and also visiting Dubai this last February; I have a few questions of my own that I could not seem to figure out.

My situation is that we will be relocating from Holland and have lived in Latin America, North America and Europe (this is my children's 7th move). Now that our youngest child is 10 and has been exposed to a much more independent life here in Holland, there is not as much of a need for having next door neighbor "buddies". Most of his friends are living 20-30 minutes away and play dates are arranged accordingly.

We normally live in some sort of suburb or compound for either security reasons or distance to school. We (the whole family) are starting to entertain the idea of trying something new if all costs were roughly the same. The school we have chosen is Gems Wellington Academy Silicon Oasis because of strong personal recommendations from several people living in Holland now but also the IB program that is offered. Both children are currently in this curriculum.

Now here is my question: With the costs of Arabian Ranches, Cedre Villas and other suburbs being between 150,000-220,000, would it be worthwhile to consider living in the Marina area? My husbands commute would then be via metro and short of living in Cedre Villas my kids would be looking at a bus ride (all be it a much longer one). Is living in the Marina so "downtown" that there is no easy access to grocery stores, green spaces or any other places that you sometimes need (hardware, shoe repair, local hair salon, dentists and clinics)? Will the Marina cut me off from other Mom's who have children of similar ages (10 and 15)? The Marina would certainly offer city views with easy access to most restaurants and entertainment sights but we are just not sure.

Is there anyone who is or has lived in the Marina with "older" kids?

Thank you for reading through this very long post and any comments or suggestions are always greatly appreciated.