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Arabian ranches access to schools

Oceanview104799

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 12:24

Good afternoon ladies, looking at rentals in Arabian ranches is it close proximity to GEMS DSO? Also how is the access getting in and out if we were to stay in Al reem or palmera? TIA

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Oceanview104799

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 17:50

Thank you for the info on additional costs of living. Much appreciated

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:33

if you opt out you pay for your own DEWA which isn't just water and electricity but every year there is a housing fee of 5% of your rent added to your DEWA bill which means if for eg you are renting for 150k a year you will pay 7500 a year in housing fee which will be added to your DEWA bill.

56

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:27

I will say what most people are saying DO NOT opt out of Emirates housing, if you need to travel in the first year to school , do so, the cost of living in Dubai is constantly increasing and and the benefits of Emirates housing is a very very big plus... I have friends who have 3 kids and have just been offered accommodation etc and they are taking it as what they are paying at the moment with DEWA it makes a lot more sense and they have been here for a while. :)

553

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 23 June 2015 - 16:18

I would be very careful opting out of Emirates housing. Once you opt out you can't go back in and rental costs tend to rise every year as does utility costs. Our rent has gone up 10% every year since arriving. Now where in Dubai is really that far so alothugh better, it isn't essential to live right next to the school. Emirates also put staff up in Layan which is 15 mins from Silicon. Might be worth enquiring re there.

Oceanview104799

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 22 June 2015 - 03:46

Having issues with Ek accom dept as lovely as they are so am looking at other options. And I appreciate your comments re dewa and out of pocket expenses. Ariabelle our children are 12, 10 and 7 they have sat the test and are awaiting placement. the school is huge but on the tour they did mention that the year level is divided into houses so your child doesn't necessarily get lost amongst the 10 streams within that year level, I think they said there would be 3-4 classes within the one house group. My children have been schooled within the Australian curriculum, I'm fortunate that my children are advanced for their year level and show a genuine love for learning. In their current school or maybe it's just our curriculum but they are not tested regularly unless they are behind and when they are ahead there is no communication between parents and teachers for advancement or simply acknowledgement. They are sort of forgotten about which I think is unfair. I keep check on my children and what they are up to in class but if I was a parent working full time it would be very difficult and then I'd be concerned my children would get bored. However they're not, I know they are up for a challenge and they are looking forward to the move. I like the idea of the children riding their bikes to school too and am hoping to get accom in dso preferably company provided. If there's so many aside for Ek staff I don't know why they are holding back I'd be more than happy to take one :) I've heard some lovely comments about people living in Arabian ranches so it was just another alternative. Will look at the other ones you have all mentioned too. Many thanks

11

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 16:54

Hi oceanview Can u ask what age your child/children are. We looked at Gems DSO for our kids going into year 1 and year 4 in September and are still trying to decide whether to send them there or not as it looked great but so big! Have you heard of recent positive reports on the school as their khda report is quite old now.. We were also looking at the ranches because we were told there are only a limited number of villas available for non-EK staff which is a shame as there were hundreds of bikes parked outside the school belonging to children from that community who were lucky enough to cycle to school. Would love that for my two! AB

3220

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 11:12

II would definitely get a DSO villa if I were you. Loads of new construction projects are starting up and around the Ranches and its going to get worse traffic wise and pollution wise. Not really worth the money to live there at all.

Cherry ripe49050

970

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 10:51

If you are thinking of opting out of your company accommodation and renting I think you will find a 4 bed in almost all of the above areas will use all your EK allowance. You then have Dewa and minor maintenance to factor in, plus yearly rental increases. Think very carefully before opting out and exhaust all avenues with the wonderful accommodation dept. first. Good luck.

4393

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 10:39

There are some good deals in Falcon City right now :)

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 10:36

Or the Villa (the Villa Project), which is very close to DSO and very good value large villas, 4 beds and up.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 10:34

You could also look at Mudon - good value there.

562

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 21 June 2015 - 09:35

No, other way round - Arabian Ranches is more expensive than DSO (and most places for that matter!).

Oceanview104799

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 20 June 2015 - 15:45

Thank you for your feedback ladies. I have looked into silicon oasis but I don't have a flexible budget and need a 3 bed plus study or 4 bed. Am I right in saying Arabian ranches is a little cheaper then dso? Do real estate agents offer to take you around if you don't have a car yet?

1010

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 18:07

I agree with Plum, also much nicer for your child being near friends from school for playdates etc. The traffic may improve exiting the Ranches however you also need to consider at the other end - exiting the 311 to get to DSO in the morning - the traffic there at school time is not good!

1913

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 18:01

If I had kids at Gems DSO I'd be living in Silicon Oasis. It's a nice community, much like Arabian Ranches and in the winter you could walk/bike to school.

274

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 June 2015 - 13:45

Exit main entrance not an issue and the other exits should be fine for September as currently they are working on slip roads for both exits onto Al Quada Road.

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