Limestone House vs. Index- where would you live? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Limestone House vs. Index- where would you live?

25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 11:04

Hello ladies:

Our current lease on a 2bdrm in Lofts (downtown) is expiring soon and we're thinking of trying out a different experience. Since both my husband and I work close to DIFC, we're considering buying in Limestone House or Index tower.

I find that Limestone is incredibly charming, great locale, very plush surroundings & finishings, short walk to metro and restaurants in DIFC and SZR but the major drawback appears to be less light, average views, no balcony, and the inability to open any of the windows!

Index tower has a totally different feel- pros: high floor- lots of light, beautiful Downtown & Burj view, lots of space, very functional. Cons: very stark (everything is white-walls, floors, cupboards, bathrooms- not a splash of colour anywhere! Just google the index images and you'll see what I mean), no community around it, have to walk a while to get to any restaurants or the metro. I feel like if we buy a place here we'd have to spend quite a bit of time and money making it look cozy- doing the paint, maybe putting wood/laminate on floors and of course drapes.

We don't have any kids so the kid-friendliness factor doesn't play into our decision.

If anyone has any experience with either of the two buildings, or has some interior design/decorator background and is familiar with Index I would love to hear how you would make it cozier.

Many thanks in advance!

25
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 17:48
Thanks for all the comments ladies :) @Swissroll- I can just imagine the suffocation you talk about in Limestone, hence our hesitation to move there despite its charm & location. We've looked into service charges- they are pretty steep at 30dh/sq foot (which means dh45,000 for a 1500sq ft 2-bdrm apt). Index has the same service charge rate though. @Kelly: purchase prices vary in terms of view: downtown vs DIFC view. You're looking around 1350dh/sq ft for DIFC view, and 1475-1500dh/sq ft for a downtown view. We've found lots of 'dummy entries' on Dubizzle where agents claim to have downtown-facing apts for a bargain price then once you call them they say that's gone. Then they turn around and offer you DIFC view apts for the same price! Such scammers we've run into :$ @KCQ: I'm quite excited about having a blank canvas to work with, but decorating is not my forte... I can admire beautiful decor but it's hard for me to put it together, hence the search for interior designer input! Feel free to contact me about Lofts.. we've lived there since Jan 2010 ever since it launched. my addy is syms08atgmaildotcom @SkyKitty: hmm I've seen the funky neon lights- never knew what that building was. Bit of an eyesore if you ask me, but heck once you're inside I suppose it's not too bad if you have decent drapes!
927
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 16:50
One thing I would check about Maze Tower... on the SZR side at night it has neon lighting along the height of the building, changing colours every minute or so, it's very bright. I would check that it's not going to annoy you, or that there's good blockout curtains/blinds in the apartments. Because if you lived on that side, if you wanted to enjoy the view at night you might also have to put up with the neon lights flashing on and off... hope that makes sense!! [b'>Good location though, the metro is so handy, one station down to Financial Ctr, 2 to Dxb Mall, 3 to Business Bay, 1 to Trade Center etc... can access the airport on the metro line. Restaurants/gyms etc in DIFC and Emirates Towers itself, a Lifco supermarket across the metro bridge, as well as Chilis, Wagamama, Burger King, Subway and local restaurants on that side. Also Al Maya on the DIFC side, not too far and they deliver[/b'>ETA: appears the neon lighting is on both the SZR and DIFC side. Pics at this [url=http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=2c0633a2b3e68809a2fbdb2a9ee6604a&t=278126&page=14'>link[/url'>, scroll down edited by SkyKitty on 17/05/2012 I live in this area and I second this, as well as that there is Boots and Life pharmacy(who deliver) well stocked corner shop that delivers, laundry/ drycleaners, ATM,s Shakespeares etc. 5 mins from Dubai Mall, 10-15 mins from MOE, DFC or the beach, only 10 -12 mins to the airport Very handy location. <em>edited by Genie on 17/05/2012</em>
1336
Posts
EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 15:42
One thing I would check about Maze Tower... on the SZR side at night it has neon lighting along the height of the building, changing colours every minute or so, it's very bright. I would check that it's not going to annoy you, or that there's good blockout curtains/blinds in the apartments. Because if you lived on that side, if you wanted to enjoy the view at night you might also have to put up with the neon lights flashing on and off... hope that makes sense!! Good location though, the metro is so handy, one station down to Financial Ctr, 2 to Dxb Mall, 3 to Business Bay, 1 to Trade Center etc... can access the airport on the metro line. Restaurants/gyms etc in DIFC and Emirates Towers itself, a Lifco supermarket across the metro bridge, as well as Chilis, Wagamama, Burger King, Subway and local restaurants on that side. Also Al Maya on the DIFC side, not too far and they deliver ETA: appears the neon lighting is on both the SZR and DIFC side. Pics at this [url=http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=2c0633a2b3e68809a2fbdb2a9ee6604a&t=278126&page=14'>link[/url'>, scroll down <em>edited by SkyKitty on 17/05/2012</em>
160
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 15:13
@ jetsetz....We're looking to move, any chance you can give me your e.mail so i can address some questions regarding The Lofts? re colour schemes... (My two fils worth....) I would go for Index....and on a personal note, white everything/stark is MY DREAM...:) I cannot stand what is condisered the norm out here...dark doors, dark wardrobes and kitchen cupboards, brown everything in bathrooms...or pink or green...ugh!! Drives me insane when I see that in smallish rooms with small windows and tinted glass, IMHO, the beauty of having a blank canvas is you are not dictated by any colour and you can splash any colour you wish and co ordinate accessories to your heart's delight! All the best w/your move.
4423
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 12:44
To throw another one in the mix .. have you thought about the Maze building, just opened, about 3 weeks ago, at the Emirates Towers metro station, right on SZR and easy access to everything. Long big balconies and 2 or 3 bedrooms. Lots of light on one slide of building and not bland white stark colours inside!
2362
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 12:41
hi jetsetz i live in the lofts and have friends in index. whilst it is a beautiful building, they struggle with the fact that it is so completely isolated. also, no outdoor pool, no proper gym (the gym is in an empty apartment). after downtown, with all the amenities, they are missing easy access to shops, bars, restaurants, despite the index being 'so close' to downtown. i'd be very interested in more information on purchase prices, if you could share them...? K
234
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 May 2012 - 11:47
Hi Jetsetz, we have been living in limestone for nearly 9 months now and we're not sure about renewing our contract. I totally agree with everything you listed about the place. The location is perfect for us since husband works in the DIFC and the finishing is not bad as well. However, since you're considering buying i would strongly advice you to think twice about the light and the windows matters. It gets very dark here and not being able to open the windows and get some fresh air adds to the problem. Sometimes we feel suffocated here even though we were aware of all of this and thought it would be ok, but it's not i'm afraid! Also, we've heard that landlords have to pay a lot for the service charge (around 50,000 aed). Hope this helps, please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you find the perfect place!
 
 

ON EXPATWOMAN TODAY