Living on Al Reem Island

Thank you for your great reply, tcb! I'm looking forward to checking out the area next month! @Edeefish, I think by now you will have moved to Al Reem? I'm very interested to hear what your experiences are. We'll be moving to AD in October and went to Al Reem in May, when we visited the city to see whether I would like it and what would be a good place to live. We really loved the Sun and Sky towers as well as the Gate towers. Especially because of BOUTIK and the amenities right around the corner (better to say: downstairs). We also had dinner at the Thai restaurant ,which was really good! They say a public beach will be opened soon. I'm curious to hear from you. edited by ADEve on 10/08/2014 <em>edited by ADEve on 10/08/2014</em>

Hi, I've been on Reem island for almost a year now and we like it a lot. So much that we are thinking of staying for another year when our contract comes up. The taxi situation is true, 8am is a trickier time to manage a taxi. But that is true anywhere in AD! Taxis are very cheap and for a while we only used taxis until we bought a car. I don't know which option is better (renting or cabbing) but it's easy enough to get a rental with very short notice. With the taxis being so cheap I've never used the buses, but I have seen people on other threads saying that they are quite reliable. I live in Marina Square and find that people are all very friendly and often see people out with pets. I myself have a house cat. I think that it depends on your landlord and what your contract says. It's a child friendly area with good facilities for little people. Well kept playgrounds, grassed areas and swimming pools. My son loves it. There are shops for groceries. Geant and Waitrose. Geant is in Marina Square itself and is relatively big (in comparison to the larger Carrefour and Lu-lu in town) and you can get pretty much everything you need there. The mall isn't open yet, but the shops around it seem to be close to completion. So there will be cafe's. Another community that is around your budget is Raha beach. We've been looking into it as well but aren't convinced. It's very similar to Reem Island but there isn't a supermarket within walking distance and it's very far from town. Where on Reem we are between 5 and 15 minutes away, Raha would be closer to a half hour drive. There are parts of Reem island (similarly on Raha) that are still being built. It will take many years for them to finish the entire project but oddly that doesn't seem to disrupt every day living (it can get a little dusty). I hope this helps. :)

Hello, I've been on Reem for two years, in Marina Square. I have to say I disagree about the taxi situation. For the first year and a half I didn't have a car. Initially, it was harder to get a taxi when one just waits outside, but now its pretty easy. But, when I used to call, they'd come 90% of the time in the ETA that it stated on the phone. You pay like 3.50 extra when you call, but its worth not having the hassle of waiting outside, especially during the summer. Buses- I work at a school and I know a few teachers who take the bus into work. From what I hear its pretty reliable and timely. I do not know the exact frequency of it, but at least in the morning I know they're are two that are about 20-30 minutes after the other. Facilities: I think the facilities are great. Marina square has pools, bbq areas, gyms. Sun/Sky are much more extensive- with bigger gyms, more equipment, steam room/Sauna (although other building I've seen on Reem do as well), tennis, etc. Geant in Marina square has pretty much everything I need. Sun/Sky has some restaurants. Galleria mall, techinically on AL Maryah island, is five minutes away and also has some places that deliver and the shopping there is high-end brands. But, Wahdah Mall and AD mall and 10 minutes away.

Hi. I live on reem and its the most "Modern?" of all of Abu Dhabi. Its clean, new, no bugs, etc but its in the midst of desert and construction. Its all families, but its a hassle to get a taxi. I really suggest you rent, as its only 1800 a month for a figo or yaris including insurance. If you have to get a taxi at 8-9 am you will call the company from 7am and won't get a taxi until 9:30 or 10!! The bus comes every 30-45 min and takes you into downtown, but again if you have never been here you want a car busses aren't always woman or kid friendly and waiting in the sun is NOT fun! A lot of buildings here dont allow pets so double check which ones do first. As for grocery stores there is Giant and Waitrose which are really nice, but stupid expensive. I guess it depends what you are looking for. In Boutik (which is at the bottom of sun and sky) there are a few stores such as an exchange place, frozen yogurt, a nursery (very small), la brioche, Asian food etc, but its not a shopping destination by any means. Abu Dhabi and Al Wahda mall are a 5 min drive away. Its a good place to live when you first move to A.D. if you dont want to have culture shock. Its mostly expats living on the island and you can dress as you please without feeling too uncomfortable. Best of luck with your move!!

hello, depending on where you live the taxi situation is okay but if you live past sun and sky towers it is usually a hassle to get a taxi. If you live in a building like mine that has recently opened up then the taxi's don't know where you are and there is a language barrier when trying to give directions. I live in Oceanscape building near Amaya towers. I have started a playgroup in our building's playroom for toddlers on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9-11. it's structured activities focusing on language, math, science, art, and sensorial play. even if you don't move to al reem island you can still attend and meet some other moms and toddlers here. check out our facebook group called ABC Academy: A Learning Club for Toddlers. We've only been at it for 2 months but the little ones enjoy it and it's nice to chat with like minded moms. Hope this helps. <em>edited by Abcacademy on 06/06/2014</em>

Hi All -- My husband, toddler, dog, and I will be moving to AD in August. I have done countless hours of online research trying to get a "feel" for the residential areas of the city, and I have some specific questions about Al Reem Island that I couldn't find answers to. Hoping someone can help me out! 1. How are the facilities on Al Reem now? Is there a large grocery store and is the mall completed? 2. Are taxis easy to come by now that more people are moving to the island? We do plan to buy a car, but not during the first few months. 3. I read that there's a bus to/from Al Reem and Abu Dhabi. Is it reliable? 4. Is the community kid and pet friendly? Will I meet other SAH moms out there? If there are any other communities you'd recommend, please let me know! Our budget is about 150,000 AED for a 2-BR for now. We're also looking at Al Muroor. Thank you! there is a geant and waitrose there now. and the galleria mall on sowhah buses do go there now you can call for a taxi but i would suggest if you have parking get a rental just to find your way around especially now the heat is upon us....