Arabian Ranches

Only bad thing is it's a bit out of town, but you have to drive everywhere in Dubai anyway, so it doesn't matter, but if say you want a night out, then you'de have a longer cab journey, but cabs are cheap anyway... So not really a problem.

Ranches is lovely, the only reason we moved was that we could afford a much bigger detached house with its own pool at The Villa for the same price as our 3M in Ranches, and it's closer to school and work for us, we lived at Ranches for two years and it was lovely.

not in my opinion :D

The Ranches is fab! Wouldn't live anywhere else in Dubai, especially with kids. Kids= Check out ranchesmoms dot com, they have special deals at all the local indoor play centres (Extreme Fun at Motor City is very very popular), buggy fitness classes, and excursions, then play dates outdoors during the cooler months. My 19month old LO swims almost daily with no infections & also takes Waterbabies classes at the polo club once per week. There is also an Expat Woman Mums & Tots morning at Mirdif on tuesdays that lots of ranches people go to. Dog walking= I have a big dog & a tiny dog, I walk them off lead around the back of Al Reem, where you will meet other doggies during the cooler months, check our Dubai Doggy Playdays on Facebook for other meet ups for friendly dogs. Vet= I go to Al Safa vet, which is quite a trek but their services & knowledge have proven very good, Haven't tried polo club vet. Hope that helps & good luck with the move.

We have been living in the Ranches for the past 6+ years and absolutely love it. I don't find accessing any other location too far from here. My son now 9 years uses the community pool regularly and never had a problem with any infection etc. Though I invariably have a problem with the temperature being too cold for my liking We have moved from Saheel to Al reem and have been here the past three years. We love the lake to walk the dogs and also there is a walking track at the back of Reem 3 & 1 that runs along the emirates road / global village. This is also where we regularly walk all of our three dogs off the leash and meet many friendly dog owners with their dogs running free. This is provided you have a friendly dog and are vigilant at all times about your dog. Its like a big doggie socialization park in the mornings and evenings. Met people there who have trekked their way there from Mirador and Savanah too. The vet at the Polo club which is a stone throw away is good and reasonable. Think he also provides dog sitting facilities. There is also a vet store in the ranches community centre and two in Motor city that also provide grooming. I think a few ladies do meet for the baby mornings but don't have much info on it. You wil meet tons of mums and babies around the parks and pools that you can befriend and get more information on socializing. Guess thats how we all started here. There is also a ranches ladies group that you can join. In the golf club they also have a variety of exercise lessons that you can attend without the need of being a member. Beside Exhale ladies fitness club and Fitness First are in Motor City and Optimal Fitness in Studio City. There is also option of membership at the Polo Club On a lazy day you can also have food delivered in from a wide choice of restaurants around the area. Or dine at the restaurants in the Polo club or Golf club. The medical facility by the community centre is good and convenient for emergencies and more. And the cherry on the top is having an A&E store on the community and MMI by Spinneys so no reason to run low on happiness ;-)) Hope this answers your questions.

We live in the ranches and my little girl loves the pool - they certainly look clean and she hasn't had any infections at all, although she is a bit older (2) and is not prone to these (i.e. hasn't ever had one even though she has been in and out of the pool since she was about your son's age)

Thank you Nyranee, that's very helpful Aptimal Comfort is a baby milk formula. x You can get most of the Aptamil formula range in both Le Marche at AR & Spinney's in MC - hopefully one of the stores have Aptimal Comfort.

Is Arabian Ranches dog friendly? yes except the usual people who are scared from dogs. Keep it on the leash, don't let the dog bark all night, remove after your dog when you walk and all should be fine. Any where good to walk the dog? the walkingway sourounding ranches is nice to walk, but again on the leash and clean after it. you also can drive out to the desert near by and let him run. Is there a swimming pool I can take my 3 month old son to, without him getting ear and wee infections etc? no idea about the hygene of the public pools. Can you get Aptimal Comfort in Dubai? no idea what that is. Are there any Mum & Baby groups around the Ranches? no idea. Are there any good vets around that area? Dr Dominic in the Polo Club in Ranches is ok and another user recommended Nad Al Sheba vets which is not too far either.