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Please say 'hello!'

toomanyflannels

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 00:31

Hi, I have just moved to Abu Dhabi 2 weeks ago to start my new life with my career promotion and need all the help and friendship I can get! There are LOADS of you but I have yet to meet another English woman here! I desperately need help in finding somewhere to live, (once the month is up in the hotel appartment I am currently living in). The prices are so high that as a single woman, here on my own, I cannot afford to live alone yet, (al least until the business I am in is well under way). Does anyone know of any westeners who are looking for someone to rent a room to? Perhaps for about 6 months? Or any ideas on where is the best place to look? What kind of price I should be paying?

Secondly, I am looking to meet with other women for a coffee/drink/dinner, movies, etc... (girly time!) as I am currently very isolated and starting to feel it. The head office of my company is in Dubai and I am the only westener in this company in Abu Dhabi. I'm friendly and fun, (starting to sound like a dating ad!!!) easy-going and enjoy being around other people. Yeah, I like time to myself, but not as much as I am getting!!! Although I am excited about meeting many different ethnicities I would like to live around westeners until I am at least settled in, (stops the home sickness as much).

I'm very new to this site so I hope this thread is ok??? (albeit very long!!! sorry.)
I look forward to hearing from you, any of you, who would be kind enough to take me under their wing, even if it's just for a short time - it would be much appreciated.
thanks xx

momof27819

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 September 2012 - 08:00

You might like to contact The American Women's Network of Abu Dhabi. You do not have to be American to join- there are members of many different nationalities. They have all kinds of activities, and also have an ambassador program, where you can be matched up with another woman of similar interests who can show you the ropes in Abu Dhabi. Also, it is free!

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busybee2559

4747

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 19:24

1 of the new compounds is called al maqta but the area is past the bridge between the bridges that was

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busybee2559

4747

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 19:22

Hi Busybee2, You really know your stuff, think you should do the tours that companies arrange for potential families thinking of working and staying in Abu Dhabi. I thought the area near Brighton College was Al Maqtaa, hope to view the villas either Friday/Saturday. I think coffee morning is a great idea, just at a little disadvantage, as I do not drive here, forgot my licence in UK. Don't mind getting a cab, just terrified about my 2 year old not allowing me to strap her in. How do you find driving around here, get lost often? My Husband can never find his way round in central AD and thats with a Sat Nav. Thanks for your great advice, really appreciate it. Z i did many moons think about doing that same thing but had little ones at school and so would only be able to commit to mornings and i know that companies would require 24/7 but i have done it private for friends of mine to help them out etc. i find it very easy to drive around ad more so that dubai because the grid system and once you know which way the roads are numbered you cant really get lost. i have a few nicknames over the years people have called me, the oracle and human sat nav. people ring me up all the time and ask me how to get to a b and c, and i am always on the radio 1 talking to them about the traffic usually to danny on my sch run etc you may have heard me... lol but i dont mind giving people a little tour best way to learn is to drive yourself though.

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FriendlyZ

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 19:01

Hi Jackie, I have already been to one session with AD mums and the kids loved playing around with other kids. Haven't been to another session yet, but hope to go on Monday. I am also looking at Al Muneera and Al Zeina areas. Already viewed and liked an apartment in Al Muneera but it was gone before we decided to put in an offer. Thanks again for your advice. Z

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FriendlyZ

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 18:58

Hi Friendly Z, have you looked up Abu Dhabi Mums, depending on your kids ages, there are lots of different activities and you will meet up with other mums in the same boat. Regarding accommodation near Brighton College, are you looking at the Khalifa Park area (also known as Maqtaa) ? There are some nice villas there, what do you need to know? Are you looking at other areas too? as before happy to help out, the shoe has been on the other foot so to speak and I was lucky to meet great friends who showed me the ropes., happy dot dhabi at g m a i l dot com

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FriendlyZ

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 18:58

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busybee2559

4747

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 16:09

Hi, I feel the same too, quite isolated here and need to entertain two young kids at the same time. Do wish I could meet up with similar people, might make it easier to live here. Wanted to go back after my first week! Still here and it's been just over two weeks now. Hope to find a property soon. If anyone can advice on the new property development near Brighton College, would appreciate it. It's in Khalifa area. brighton college is on salam st and the development its actually apart of is called bloom gardens. there are many compounds adjacent to the school, al seef, al gurm etc etc. khalifa park is next door this is the development of maybe now 10 or so middle high rise apartments and next to the park (technically not al maqtaa as that is the other side of the bridge). maqtaa area is actually a bit further on, it was called between the 2 bridges, but now they have actually changed its name to al maqtaa. happy to meet up with anyone who needs to find their feet, have been here lonnnnnnnnnng time, so pretty much up with everything. just remember that ew dont do coffee mornings here in ad any more, if someone was wanted to restart them i dont think that would be a problem, otherwise you will have to DIY.

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jackieq5138852

103

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 11:11

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FriendlyZ

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 10:57

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TucsonGal

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 09:54

I've been here over a month. Have found a great group of ladies. I still have my days where I cry all day.... but it does get better. Can't really help with realty or property as I'm so new also. Perhaps the boards in Spinney's? I think there are also sub-lets avail - http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com. <em>edited by TucsonGal on 11/09/2012</em>

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jackieq5138852

103

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 08:34

Hello! Welcome to AD, it can be overwhelming at first but you will make friends in no time! People are generally much more open as we are all in the same boat. Unfortunately I won't be much use for socialising as I have a one year old but can defo meet up for coffee, I've been here almost 4 years now so can help out with the property questions and put you in touch with some networking groups etc. Drop me an email happy dot dhabi at g m a I l dot com

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