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International City...

BellaF

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 23 September 2015 - 03:30

Thanks!

bingo12

394

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 27 September 2015 - 18:13

Try to find out where exactly you will be living.Some areas there had/have from time to time the smell of sewage as they are near a treatment plant. The other thing is - although you will get transport for work - taxi from here may be expensive to other place you may want to visit, although I think there is also a bus service to I. C. ( Buses are good). Taxi to the nearest metro station will be expensive. Traffic is very heavy in that area .However it is near Dragon Mart for shopping if you can get across the road! Best wishes.

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sarahlou123

8965

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 27 September 2015 - 16:39

Websites to look at www.justrentals.com www.propertyfinder.ae Join some of the community Facebook pages, that is how I found my new place direct from Landlord so no agent fees. Just make sure you get all the correct paperwork before you hand any money over

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lilypad28

263

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 September 2015 - 16:05

Honestly its not the slum its made out to be. Yes pls do stay away from all the clusters since they don't have a policy on limiting sharing and too many bachelors live in sharing accommodations. The CBD buildings that are all along the main road are safe and quite nice. Its safe to go about a stroll. Believe me alot of families live in the area .There are alot of supermarkets and restaurants that deliver right to your door step. If you need more information drop me an email on lilypad848 at gmail dot com. cheers

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BellaF

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 19:40

I did have second thoughts when I mentioned the company etc! I believe it is now hidden? I really do appreciate everyone's input, the good and the brutally honest haha. I think it's fair to say that I shouldn't be expecting any luxurious surroundings but neither anything horrifically terrible. My current plan is to move in (lock doors) settle into the job and find my feet. Then I will look for another property in a more "suitable" area. Fingers crossed I'm placed in the decent cluster!!!

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Chic09114717

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 19:31

BellaF, Firstly please don't give away your personal information on forums. It's for your own good. International City will not be my first choice given that Dubai has spoilt all of us, although have seen worse neighborhoods around the world. If you will stay there choose where the students stay. Most Academic city students stay at IC. Same as Marina, i see it as a corporate slum. Too many bed spaces there too. But advantage of Marina is that you know your roommate is sane, you are safe, you are close to everything and the kind of people you will interact with. Let me tell you my International City story.... Myself and some friends were bored of the usual Dubai life so i suggested we go to International City, we drove in and walked into this restaurant. We were met with stares,and smiles, it was very obvious we were not part of their world. Long story short, 30 mins later we were clicking pictures and the restaurant owner was preparing us a special delicacy. One of the men we met is Afghani, myself and him got talking and he started showing me his pictures. You need to see the house he's building in his country and he's a DRIVER. It was a wake up call for me. I didn't buy shoes for like two months after that day. These days how i catch my fun is going to discover the Dubai no one cares about. Welcome to Dubai.

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shoufimafi

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 13:02

Hi! I am moving to Dubai from London for work on the 29th September. Initally I planned on finding my own accommodation but I subsequently haven't had enough time to do this. So I have opted to take "staff accommodation" which I have just found out will be located in International City. Now I have been to Dubai once before but stayed Downtown and ventured to the Marina etc. I have never heard of IC... I have since Googled and am slightly nervous to say the least! I understand it's not going to be luxury but what's it really like? I intend on being at work/out with friends alot but obviously want a nice, safe home. Work will provide transport to and from which is located in DIFC, how far away is IC? Thanks! Welcome and all the best on your new adventure! International City is not bad at all, we are a little spoilt here in Dubai, but honestly there are some worse areas and apartments in London (and i lived there during UNI) Most of the times people will ignore you, they may look at you, or whatever...doesnt matter. Get here, get settled, and then explore to some where... who knows, you might prefer staying there and save a bit of money, as rents are cheaper... Ps. Just a word of advice, i would be discreet with the company name and position you work for on this forum, as it is widely read, and it may jeopardise things for you.

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Cowboy

685

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 12:19

International city to DIFC would take you about 20-30 minutes by car, depending on traffic. International city traffic can be quite bad to enter the area around 5-7pm. I have friends who live there (Dutch couple and Syrian/Egyptian couple) and they all tell me that some clusters are worse than others, each one believes that their building is amongst the better buildings in the area, with less single men. Often they stare and make the ladies feel uncomfortable as they are walking in the neighbourhood. That being said both couples I know are out of the house quite a bit, they all drive and have cars so I don't know how public transport is in that area. International city is close to dragon mall (selling all kinds of Chinese products that you can imagine) and desert palm hotel. Your best option is to take the company housing till you are more settled here and know the areas. Decide if you are going to get a driving licence and car here, or if you will live close to public transport. Alot of people I know have had bad experiences renting flats without actually viewing them, they ended up paying over market value and could have got something better for much cheaper. Good luck with the move

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Countess Wrinkle

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 11:59

Look... it would never be my first choice as it's bad reputation precedes it and I would NEVER live there with my children, but things such as 22 sharing an apartment are not exclusive to this area. There are villas in different, nice, areas where there are 20+ people fitting into the room. I think it will introduce you to a Dubai that is not glamorized in magazines and teach you some Dubai street smarts (of staying to yourself, being careful about what you do/how you dress/coming home intoxicated after a night out, thinking before handing men your number etc. I mean, the people who live there, whether families on tight budgets, singles on tight budgets, less great people hiding, poor workers who just need a roof without a care of where it is (at least they aren't sleeping on the street and have tried to give themselves some form of a secure home)... they all live and work amongst us in Dubai. So just use it as a learning experience, you have colleagues with you, you have an easy lift to and from work... I stayed in an equally garbage place in Australia when I was at uni and could't afford better, and while I had some seriously dodgy neighbors, while the police where there often, once I closed my door (AND LOCKED IT!!!), what was inside was my home. And it was tiny but comfortable for me and I was fine (got out a soon as I could but learnt a lot while there). I don't want to think of you coming here petrified that you are walking into a slum or hood. That will really ruin you move. Was that actually meant to make the OP feel better? Yet you would not live there yourself? The OP needs to know from the company what the allowance is and try to find a flat share somewhere else if she is prepared to take a position for a low salary for a while. :(

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sheikhandbake108829

409

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 09:35

International City is where a lot of dodgy, mafia types live as well as prostitutes and other "massage" workers. Moreover, consider the following article: http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/2-killed-in-fire-at-dubai-international-city-1.1580280 "Brigadier Ahmad Obaid Al Sayegh, Assistant to the Director of Dubai Civil Defence and Rescue, said the overcrowded one-bedroom apartment that was completely gutted by the fire was being shared by 22 people, 10 in the living room and 12 in the bedroom." You never think you are in danger until you realize your neighbors are 22 young men. I personally love going down there for some authentic Afghan food but I would never, ever live there.

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Silvstet

767

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 07:06

International City used to have a reputation of being a bit rough, it's certainly not Downtown or the Marina. It's a safeish area, not sure if I would like to stroll there alone in the evening. If your company has staff accommodation there, at least you might live in the same building as colleagues. Dubizzle is good, but some people advertising flat sharing aren't serious. I would wait until you are here and start to know people. Join Facebook groups, many find flat mates that way too.

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BellaF

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 September 2015 - 00:35

Thank you for your replies. I do feel more at ease to know I won't be in any serious danger but still very apprehensive about the area. The salary isn't amazing but about on par with London after taxes etc. They have stated that they do offer a live out allowance, but I have to find the property which had been very difficult as it's all being done via emails eto. I have also been told I can move out and take the allowance anytime I please. So unfortunately I think that's going to have to be the case Just another question regarding rentals... where is the best website for me to look? I have been using dubizzle but don't seem to always get a reply. Thanks again

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Countess Wrinkle

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 September 2015 - 13:12

Consider it if you have the option to opt out once you've found something better. I'd rather share in the Marina, near the public transport line, or have a small place in Barsha than live all the way out in IC. I have never met anyone who lives there though, so it may be a livable community as a transit place when you first arrive. Having a car lift t work is a good thing and so it may be a very good transit spot to live in until you get your bearings here and can make a good home choice. It is not a dangerous place to live. No where her is dangerous. It isn't as though there are thugs there or anything. The only areas I'd say aren't the best choices fr a single western female to live in solo are Karma, Bur Dubai, Satwa apartments etc. But my friend lived there in our early 20s and while at times she was uncomfortable, she was never really in DANGER, as the laws are so tough here that crime is low because the punishment is far too high for whatever they could get off a single woman to be worth doing. The Marina would be a far better choice.

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Countess Wrinkle

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 September 2015 - 13:10

I would ask what the company accommodation allowance is. Personally it’s not an area I would be comfortable in or house a young single female. Traffic in and out can be bad and it’s on the lower end of the housing scale areas. I do hope you have really researched your package and company prior to moving out. What position did you take in this company?

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