AD Rentals - Villas | ExpatWoman.com
 

AD Rentals - Villas

7
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 04:07

We are due to arrive in AD next month and being newbees would be grateful for some initial direction in terms of where to start looking. My husbands allowance is AED220,000 and ideally we seek a 2/3 Villa in a pet friendly environment. We have two grown up kids (who will probably visit us two times per year) - but apart from that their will be only the two of us living in the place. My husband would like to spend no more than 30 minutes travel time to his place of work with ZADCO which I believe is in AD centre.
As I'm a pretty outgoing person (!!) - It would be good if the area/compound had a bit of life about it and where I could meet up with similar expat wifes and have a bit of a laff etc...
I've heared that Khalifa Park and Raha Gardens is nice, but I don't know much about these or possible alternatives. Many thanks for your help.

95
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 April 2011 - 17:08
True - almost all ads on dubizzle are agents, but then it is quite tricky nowadays to track down villas direct from the owner without an agent or paying an agent's fee (ours was advertised on dubizzle direct by the developer/owner, but even then we have to pay an "admin fee" which is exactly equivalent to the usual 5% agent's fee....). Also agree that sometimes the photos etc on dubizzle don't quite match up to the villa you are eventually shown, but most of the ones we ended up seeing last week were fairly true to the ones advertised (not necessarily the same exact villa, but same compound). In short, it's a tedious process!
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 21:03
Definitely try dubizzle (http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com) - we have just gone through the process of looking for 3-4 bed villas and have just signed up for one, and our budget was similar. We looked at a couple of villas in compounds at Khalifa Park (on island, just off salam st/Eastern Rd) - there a quite a few new-ish compounds there - and we saw a few 4 beds (and even one 5-bed) for about AED 225,000-230,000. We didn't come across many 2-bed villas/townhouse, 3-bed was the smallest we found. Good luck - it's exhasting driving around looking at all these places! just be aware that most of the ads on dubizzle will be agents, and often they are not real ads.
95
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 15:50
Definitely try dubizzle (http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com) - we have just gone through the process of looking for 3-4 bed villas and have just signed up for one, and our budget was similar. We looked at a couple of villas in compounds at Khalifa Park (on island, just off salam st/Eastern Rd) - there a quite a few new-ish compounds there - and we saw a few 4 beds (and even one 5-bed) for about AED 225,000-230,000. We didn't come across many 2-bed villas/townhouse, 3-bed was the smallest we found. Good luck - it's exhasting driving around looking at all these places!
83
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 09:11
I used to live near Zadco. It is a great area (Corniche, shops) but the problem with the areas around Zadco is the parking situation is impossible. Even if you are given parking spaces there will always be issues for guests. If you go a bit further (but not too far) the situation improves dramatically. I would suggest you try the Al Nahyan Camp area, located between 11th and 13th (Delma) and 4th (Muroor) and 8th (Salam). There are many quite new friendly little compounds in there, it is close to Al Wadha mall, many small shops, Jones the Grocer, and the One to One hotel, etc etc. Not sure if this is still accurate as rents change all the time, but I was looking in January and a three bedroom with a maids quarters and shared pool and gym was going for AED 220K. There are also two bedrooms, which are very nice. They were going through Green Emirates so give it a google. We are here, it has a very nice vibe about it and the convenient location has really improved our lives! We love it!!! No I do not get a commission, in case you are wondering!!! Best of luck to you!
7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 April 2011 - 02:51
Many thanks Leen. Will chase this up. Cheers. Ann
62
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 15:24
Hi AnnC. Yesterday i passed accross a new building with "luxarious flats to rent from owner" sign just beside ZADCO building (2 mins walking). Since we oursleves are looking for a flat, i called the number. There is only one 3 bedroom flat left in the building for 200K. Well, i didnt consider cuz we r looking for 4 bedroom flats. The number if u'd be interested is: 00971 26934282.
4747
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 10:10
Many thanks. I guess that one of the reasons behind suggesting a villa would to ensure that we could accommodate our dog. Is it possible that some of these apartments or flats in town might also be pet friendly? Other main reason - is I do like to live in a expat community as mentioned. it depends on the landlord some do accept small dogs etc.
7
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 10:07
Many thanks. I guess that one of the reasons behind suggesting a villa would to ensure that we could accommodate our dog. Is it possible that some of these apartments or flats in town might also be pet friendly? Other main reason - is I do like to live in a expat community as mentioned.
4747
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 09:22
We are due to arrive in AD next month and being newbees would be grateful for some initial direction in terms of where to start looking. My husbands allowance is AED220,000 and ideally we seek a 2/3 Villa in a pet friendly environment. We have two grown up kids (who will probably visit us two times per year) - but apart from that their will be only the two of us living in the place. My husband would like to spend no more than 30 minutes travel time to his place of work with ZADCO which I believe is in AD centre. As I'm a pretty outgoing person (!!) - It would be good if the area/compound had a bit of life about it and where I could meet up with similar expat wifes and have a bit of a laff etc... I've heared that Khalifa Park and Raha Gardens is nice, but I don't know much about these or possible alternatives. Many thanks for your help. for that amount you will get a 3 bed flat in town, but you will not get a villa, if you want a villa you are going to have to look off island, in seashore villas which is next door to mangrove village the smaller 2 bed villas go from 200 upwards i believe and they have facilties. i would go look there, you can also look at khalifa a and b, raha gardens are expensive to chill and the houses are nice but the road layout is very tight. al reef is another place next to the airport. also a lot of apartments on reem island are being handed over, and you could get a good deal. look also to al bandar in al raha beach.
19
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 08:57
Ann C I would stay on island if you want pet friendly places. There are more parks and green space and beaches for walking when the weather allows. Your budget is good for a 2/3 bedroom place and you should have a good range of options to choose from. Personally if I was here as a couple with no kids I would live in the city or close to it. Traffic can be very bad in certain parts of the city so do take that into account.
7
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 06:36
Many thanks for response Adoz. That's a great start for us. Yep it will be a bit hot eh? Cheers. Ann
27
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 April 2011 - 06:22
Hi AnnC If you want to be within 30mins commute time of work then Raha Gardens in Khalifa City A would be off your list. It is at least 30 mins travel time plus in peak times. You would be best looking at places "on Island" if you want to stay within your commute time. Google propertyfinder, Abu Dhabi and search areas such as Khalifa Park, Khalidya, Al Bateen, Mushrif. You will get an idea of what is available in your budget and they have photos too. Dubizzle is another site worth having a look at too. Most places seem to accept pets. Other people will be more helpful with specific compounds "on Island". I am living in Khalifa City A so am not that familiar with the specific compounds "on Island" sorry. Happy moving. Hope it all goes smoothly for you. It should be really nice and hot by time you get here next month....... yikes! Just expect not to be going out much during the day except to malls for the next few months. The weather has been beautiful though for the past 7 months, just starting to hot up now. Good luck. xx