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Where to live?

24

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 21:34

Hi!

My name is Su and my husband, me and our 5 month old baby will be moving to Dubai approx oct this year. We are english and expect to rent a home ....we currently live in Paris so moving about not entierley new and I hope to find coffee mornings and meet new people in Dubai.

MY QUESTION is ...any advice on where to live?

Budget 250,000 annual rent
Would love a villa with 4 beds and access to a pool but who wouldn't? Thing is I can't decide between living far out say in the Arabian villas or consider apartment living like Dubai Marina, Jumeirah beach to benefit from many nurseries, beach social club ect.

My dh will be away a lot and I like to be busy with maybe a community around me ect.

Any ideas? An advice? We are looking around different areas tomorrow for a feel for places.

I was part of a mums group in Paris called Message , it was wonderful and I met some lovely people. I get the feeling expat woman Dubai might be a way to meet new people too....

Su

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24

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 August 2011 - 11:40

As The Villa is only 10 mins away from the ranches, no harm in having a look and again the comments are very useful ! Big villa with own pool sounds lovely but then a completed community does too....anyhow....great dilemma to have ! Thanks everyone....

fairycakeyumm21878

2239

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 26 August 2011 - 07:59

Yes I've lived in alma and saheel and the springs, but u can't really compare those two types of houses to the ones in The villa, alma are small and saheel are the oldest in the ranches. And with all the threads lately with problems moving into older houses and mould etc i prefer living in a new one. These houses are not the same as mirador etc which the op really liked. That's y I suggested the villa. Thats y we lived in the ranches to be close to the shops but I couldn't do my weekly shopping on my bike and I ended up hardly using those shops and preferred to drive to spinneys or carrefour etc for shopping. It's not a competition between the ranches and the villa lol

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 26 August 2011 - 01:37

Everyone says that who lives in the ranches ...you still need to drive to the shops if u live there, just like living here we have all the shops and a big spinneys 5 min drive away in DSO . Our budget was 250'k and we couldn't get anything this size and quality in the ranches . You'd pay 350 k for our house there. Kids playgrounds are great here and all the landscaping in phase one is completed. The 6 beds are absolutely gorgeous houses. Depends if u want your own pool. If you want a community pool then go with the ranches as there won't be community pools here. Not all of us have to drive to the shops, especially in the cooler months. Those of us fortunate enough to live in Saheel, Alma and Savanah can easily manage a walk to the shops in the cooler months and, even the summer, in the early hours. And those of us willing to get off our backsides and walk just that little bit further when the weather is cooler, or get on a bicycle, are quite able to get to the retail centre without having to get into a car. And we have the benefit of the UAE's largest Spinneys just five minutes by car over the road at Motor City. Also a huge number of takeaway places there which will deliver to AR. Also, if you don't have your own pool, don't underestimate the value of a community pool of which there are several at AR. We don't have children and are fortunate enough to have our own pool but still occasionally go to the 'local' pool and have met some great people there.

fairycakeyumm21878

2239

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 23:08

Everyone says that who lives in the ranches ...you still need to drive to the shops if u live there, just like living here we have all the shops and a big spinneys 5 min drive away in DSO . Our budget was 250'k and we couldn't get anything this size and quality in the ranches . You'd pay 350 k for our house there. Kids playgrounds are great here and all the landscaping in phase one is completed. The 6 beds are absolutely gorgeous houses. Depends if u want your own pool. If you want a community pool then go with the ranches as there won't be community pools here.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 22:51

Have u looked at The Villa 10 min past the ranches u get much bigger villas than the ranches and more for your money ...we have a five 5 with a huge pool and courtyard in the middle of my house for 200 k... Worth a look if ure looking up at the ranches. It's 20 min to airport along emirates rd and 15 to midriff cc shopping centre. I think the Villa houses are lovely, but I personally think if you have a budget of 250k you're better off in the ranches because the facilities are all set up as well as the community. In saying that I have heard there will be shops etc in the Villa by 2012 around september, although who knows if this will be the case.

fairycakeyumm21878

2239

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 22:10

Have u looked at The Villa 10 min past the ranches u get much bigger villas than the ranches and more for your money ...we have a five 5 with a huge pool and courtyard in the middle of my house for 200 k... Worth a look if ure looking up at the ranches. It's 20 min to airport along emirates rd and 15 to midriff cc shopping centre.

24

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 25 August 2011 - 21:48

Thanks very much everyone for your comments which are most valuable ....think my favourite area is AR (Mirador looks lovely ) and DH wanting to consider Meadows too as he will be working at Media City, though to be honest he'll be driving to the airport a lot . Can't wait to move over!:cool:

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 August 2011 - 15:44

Arabian Ranches or the Lakes. AR has a good golf club with a reasonable restaurant where you can take small children. Lakes Club is good for meeting other mums with younger children too. Victory Heights has nice, newer villas but community pools are still waiting to open. Springs and Meadows - tired. All these places have lots of expats living there. Think ahead about schools as well - it can be difficult getting places, especially in Primary. <em>edited by Luddite on 19/08/2011</em>

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EW GURU

Latest post on 19 August 2011 - 14:50

Hi, just a general observation to add, I would not be too concerned about meeting other mothers just within the community you choose. I live in Victory Heights and tbh I was the only mother at the playground in the cooler months, on most days (mostly maids). So I knew the children but not the mothers! I wished that I had not bothered too much about the community when house hunting as I have met a lot of lovely ladies through the Expat Woman Mums and Toddler groups, who live in various locations. I agree that Um Suqeim and Jumeirah have ots of nurseries and schools. AR has fantastic pools. <em>edited by TwoKids on 19/08/2011</em>

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 19 August 2011 - 11:51

Have you had a chance to visit Dubai to have a look around? I personally prefer Springs/Meadows/Lakes area as the area is closer 'centre'. With the highways coming up, I am sure the roads will be less congested. And I do personally find AR too far out for me. Meadows have lovely huge villas! :) It's funny because I used to think that ar was far out when we lived in jumeirah islands so right by the meadows but it's not at all it's far more central than the meadows having moved over there! You get to see far more of Dubai than being right down sir by springs and meadows. Now the roundabout has been replaced by the flyover I found ar a much better location.

24

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 August 2011 - 06:27

Hi Xanzec Thanks for your reply, May I ask .....Does the meadows have a community feel to it? Is it easy to meet other mums? Are there pools? Parks? Or do you find maids mostly look after the children? A nursery close by? Sorry to ask so much ! We did a drive by and my DH liked the look of the meadows and the close location to the centre. I just worry it might be a bit lonely compared to what I read about the ranches.....

25

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 18:05

Have you had a chance to visit Dubai to have a look around? I personally prefer Springs/Meadows/Lakes area as the area is closer 'centre'. With the highways coming up, I am sure the roads will be less congested. And I do personally find AR too far out for me. Meadows have lovely huge villas! :)

24

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 17:44

Hi Myriambill Sounds like The ranches has the edge, I will look into Mirador. Also a contact in Paris where we currently live has said the ranches from the beginning ....i will see what I can find out about the Meadows too as DH liked the look of it and felt it was closer to centre, though I wonder if traffic might be busy . Anyway, thanks ever so much for the info....it's re assuring to hear The ranches are family friendly . Exciting stuff and we have an agent through DH work to look for properties ...

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 16:19

044327 I just realised what your budget is and seriously don't go to an apartment as you can afford a really nice villa for that budget. If you are going to come to the ranches look into Mirador, the villas are superb and there's lots of greenery around. Between the lakes and meadows I'd personally go for the meadows, nice villas but don't know how easy it will be to meet other mums/babies as a couple of my friends who lived there said they didn't make any friends there as all the kids were looked after by maids and whenever they went to the pool/park they never saw the mums with the kids but only maids- this is what I was told but can not confirm as don't live there - Anyway good luck

24

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 16:00

Thanks all for your replies! We have been for a drive to check out locations and although AR seems far out, I read great things about it eg traffic not as bad as springs....and it has a community and great for young families. Think it has good parks too? Think I have ruled out apartment living as the sound of a winter BBQ mouth watering! Lakes, Meadows and springs looked nice....Could only see from the outside of gate...any one live there that can say if it is great for family living? Is the traffic bad? Jumeirah looked 'ok' the beach so close is appealing ...anyone live there that can comment? I read it has lots of nurseries like umm seqeim. I will have a car, especially as I have a 5 month old baby. I hope to get the right location rather than moving after 6 months.....please comment on the areas if you can..... I Feel spoilt for choice! :)

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EW GURU

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 21:48

Hi and welcome. You will meet many people through this board and coffee mornings I'm sure. If I was you, I'd seriously look at Arabian Ranches. We have just moved here after being in Mirdif for 9 years. We love it. The community is lovely and established and the pools and parks are great. I feel very safe here which is important as my DH works nightshifts. There is a golf club which hosts quiz nights and has a gym and pool (u pay to be a member), polo club, motor city nearby with resturants and a community center with some coffee shops and resturants/take away places and a supermarket within AR. There Is a nursery in the Saheel development and one at the polo club. Then also ones in Motor City and Sports City so not far. Good luck with the house hunting and the move. Hope it goes smoothly for you.

502

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 21:45

Hi! My name is Su and my husband, me and our 5 month old baby will be moving to Dubai approx oct this year. We are english and expect to rent a home ....we currently live in Paris so moving about not entierley new and I hope to find coffee mornings and meet new people in Dubai. MY QUESTION is ...any advice on where to live? Budget 250,000 annual rent Would love a villa with 4 beds and access to a pool but who wouldn't? Thing is I can't decide between living far out say in the Arabian villas or consider apartment living like Dubai Marina, Jumeirah beach to benefit from many nurseries, beach social club ect. My dh will be away a lot and I like to be busy with maybe a community around me ect. Any ideas? An advice? We are looking around different areas tomorrow for a feel for places. I was part of a mums group in Paris called Message , it was wonderful and I met some lovely people. I get the feeling expat woman Dubai might be a way to meet new people too.... Su :) Dubai is a great place to meet some new people, :) you will enjoy it, cant really give an advice on places to live as im just looking for a villa too, been in Dubai for the past 6 years and still cant choose a decent place! But all i can say is, you've got a great budget, you will find a lovely home!! :) Welcome and hope you enjoy!

490

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 21:44

Wow, with the current rent prices and a budget of 250K the world is your oyster! Jumeirah/Umm Suqeem has some lovely villa's within budget, most compounds have a shared pool, and pretty much everything you needs in in Jumeirah/umm suqeem or not too far from it. Then there is Al Barsha which has really grown in the past few years. There are numerous great communities, such as 'The Villa', Arabian Ranches, Al Layan/Al Waha, Falcon city and Dubai Silicon Oasis, however they are a little further out, and some of them dont have any facilities. If I had the choice, I would definitly be looking for a villa rather than an apartment, especially with children. During the cooler months there is nothing like having a garden for BBQ's etc. Good luck with the move :) Hope this helps.

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