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EWmums

EWfood

ewmoda

Best area to live near Horizon School and DIFC

5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 October 2016 - 10:37

Hi, we're a family of 4 relocating to the Dubai soon from London. DC will attend Horizon English School and DH will work in DIFC. I'm currently thinking that the best areas for us to live seem to be Jumeirah/Al Safa for villas or Business Bay for apartments. We don't feel strongly about a flat or villa at the moment but happy to hear any and all suggestions. I think all we want is to keep travel time to a minimum as I hear that traffic can be a nightmare.

I'm just wondering:
1. Is there any area that I am not considering that you would suggest.

2. Any reason why you would recommend a flat over a villa or vice versa?

Oh and is it true that Apple FaceTime doesn't work in Dubai? Even if our phones are from the UK with FaceTime installed?

Thanks in advance!!

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5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2016 - 14:18

Thank you both for replying! It's so helpful to hear from some of you until we actually get there and can view places. The estimated DEWA charges are super helpful! Thanks! :)

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 October 2016 - 14:09

If you can afford it I would say Jumeriah/Al Safa over Business Bay every time. Business Bay is high rise buildings and lots of construction whereas in a villa in that area is all low rise and should have a garden. Yes FT will work here however can be sluggish as the WIFI isn't the best here. Thanks for the response! Sorry hopefully just one quick follow up question if that's ok! Just looking online it appears as if one can find a fair few villas in a compound in Jumeirah/Al Safa for rental demands that are similar to those of apartments in business bay. However, should I expect that the cost of utilities, general upkeep etc are likely to be significantly higher for a villa? I guess I'm just trying to understand whether on a day to day basis living in a villa would eat into funds we would have otherwise saved. Thank you so much for your response! I'm feeling quite overwhelmed with all the decisions that need to be made! Some apartments have district cooling fees added to your DEWA bill, this will then increase the costs Case in point my colleague has a 2 bed apartment and pays an monthly fee of AED1500 plus his DEWA bill so around AED2500 per month

456

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 10 October 2016 - 13:48

Hi. We live in villa in Al Safa. Its a 3 bed with large garden (not in a compound). Our DEWA can be AED1500 in winter up to AED3000 max in mid summer. If you have a private garden you may want to pay a gardener to cut the grass and water plants. This is not expensive say AED300 per month. Other than that, I don't imagine there would be any other costs versus an apartment. apartment DEWA may be slightly lower but it wouldn't be a deciding factor. I would recommend staying in a villa if you have kids. If you can get on a compound with a pool even better - there are many around. Shopping and facilities in the area are great - many supermarkets, doctor, hospital, dentist, hairdressers, laundry etc. Everything is nearby and you are very close to the beach. Similarly you are 2 minutes from SZR highway to head anywhere.

5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 10 October 2016 - 13:40

If you can afford it I would say Jumeriah/Al Safa over Business Bay every time. Business Bay is high rise buildings and lots of construction whereas in a villa in that area is all low rise and should have a garden. Yes FT will work here however can be sluggish as the WIFI isn't the best here. Thanks for the response! Sorry hopefully just one quick follow up question if that's ok! Just looking online it appears as if one can find a fair few villas in a compound in Jumeirah/Al Safa for rental demands that are similar to those of apartments in business bay. However, should I expect that the cost of utilities, general upkeep etc are likely to be significantly higher for a villa? I guess I'm just trying to understand whether on a day to day basis living in a villa would eat into funds we would have otherwise saved. Thank you so much for your response! I'm feeling quite overwhelmed with all the decisions that need to be made!

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 10 October 2016 - 12:46

If you can afford it I would say Jumeriah/Al Safa over Business Bay every time. Business Bay is high rise buildings and lots of construction whereas in a villa in that area is all low rise and should have a garden. Yes FT will work here however can be sluggish as the WIFI isn't the best here.

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