Where to live? Info on- Mirdif, Al Furjan and Barsha please please please | ExpatWoman.com
 

Where to live? Info on- Mirdif, Al Furjan and Barsha please please please

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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 March 2013 - 17:09

Hello ladies

We are planning to make the brave move to Dubai, but choosing where to live is such a minefield! We like relatively residential family friendly areas, with the happening things within reach but not on our doorstep. We have a one year old and a three year old. Our budget is 120,000 for a 3 bed. I think that's a lot, so I would like to spend less than that. Is this possible?

Hubby will be working near the airport and I am a stay at home mum so will need company- I do a lot of Playgroups, soft play centres, days out etc here in the UK so would definitely need it even more so over there (especially to meet new people). I don't need to be in the massive expat community, but within reach of some would be great. I would love access to a pool but being Muslim I'd like a ladies only pool- do villas have these, as I have only seen outdoor pools in open view? If this is goin to be a problem with villas, is an apartment a better option for us?

My husband has a crazy idea that he wants to live in a villa with private pool. As much as I'd like this (you Can tell I'm the realist and he's the daydreamer), I worry there will be a heap of hidden cost of living in a villa. Who pays for maintaining garden, and cost of the pool? And is this expensive? Part of me thinks the apartment wil be cheaper and less hassle.

We have done lots of research and have come up with these areas, so can anyone tell me what they are actually like?

Mirdif, Al Barsha and Al Furjan? (Which parts of Mirdif are away from plane noises)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated...Thank you. You all seem so nice on here compared with other forum sites where they seem a little hostile....some strange people out there!!!

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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 22:52
thanks!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 22:51
I don't know, certainly must have happened recently...will ask next door as they just moved in a couple of weeks ago...will report back! I haven't had anything directly from Al Shafer saying they are going up.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 22:00
Elmpark - a friend was saying the 3 beds in your compound are now AED120k (risen from AED105k). Everywhere seems to be going up. Hamar - thanks for your advice. Unfortunately I was not in Dubai last summer and it was my husband who was looking. I'm not sure how hard he looked , LOL but he was adament there was nothing in DSO (apart from Skycourt Towers) for AED85k below 2nd or 3rd floor (I just did not want to be living higher than 2nd , 3rd at a push - I know it's silly but just a bit of a phobia I have). We found Layan for AED80k (3 bed ground floor) and decided that the compromise with all the driving was worth it to get somewhere on ground floor. (new tenants are now being asked for AED120k so we may yet be moving again in which case I will certainly look at DSO). It's just crazy how rents seem to be going up.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 20:41
I'll try and note them down when I am next out, not sure there are any on the board though... On the schools issue. Emirates British nursery has an FS1 equivalent year, or you could see if there is any space left in FS1 for Gems Royal Dubai school. It is not actually in Mirdif but in Al Mizar 1 close by (less than 10 mins by car) . If you are not set on a British curriculum I know a lot of people here rate Uptown school which is IB and is located on 15 street. Not sure if they would offer FS1 though...however that could go in your favour if you want to delay your child starting school. If it was me I would probably try to secure the school place ASAP as they are notoriously hard to get! Good luck.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 02:53
Feefmick, did you look at properties in DSO? Layan is very far for your schools etc. there are loads of apartments in DSO.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 April 2013 - 00:45
Elmpark Thanks for your reply, I might well ask you for that lady's details if you wouldn't mind! X
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 18:45
The compound is v close to small Spinneys, it is on 59 street on left hand side, huge white compound called Al Shafer Village. I think there is Sunday night, and Thursday morning from memory but it is on a pin board right at the entrance to the compound.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 18:32
thanks will give it a try where is the compound? do you know the times and days for zumba?
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 18:21
I don't know but don't see why not, as the person taking it is not from the compound. If you come round to the entrance of al Shafer there is a sign on the notice board about it and you could always just quietly ask the man at security if you can attend. I don't know everyone in here so I don't know that anyone else would be able to say for sure that you didn't live here!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 18:12
can anyone join the zumba really interested
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 17:49
Love living in Mirdif, avoid all the craziness of Dubai but can easily access it when I want! Our compound, Al Shafer Village, 105 Ed for 3 bed, or 120 AED for 4 bed has separate ladies only pool, and a tiny ladies only gym too. However the huge gym is mainly only ladies in it during the day with the odd PT in tow. There is also someone now offering Zumba to ladies for 20 AED in the party hall. Anyway it's on 59 street Mirdif. The houses move VERY fast ie same day so things like being able to pay in one cheque can help. I know one lady is needing to move who has a 3 bed.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 April 2013 - 17:49
Love living in Mirdif, avoid all the craziness of Dubai but can easily access it when I want! Our compound, Al Shafer Village, 105 Ed for 3 bed, or 120 AED for 4 bed has separate ladies only pool, and a tiny ladies only gym too. However the huge gym is mainly only ladies in it during the day with the odd PT in tow. There is also someone now offering Zumba to ladies for 20 AED in the party hall. Anyway it's on 59 street Mirdif. The houses move VERY fast ie same day so things like being able to pay in one cheque can help. I know one lady is needing to move who has a 3 bed.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2013 - 21:57
Hi, just to add to some comments regarding Mirdif. We have been living here for 8 months now and really love living here. To look for a property here you HAVE to drive around and then contact the agents that have phone numbers listed. Do not look at any property pages because they do not update them. In my experience the majority of compounds that have pools are not gender separated and to avail of a ladies only pool then Mushrif park is 10 mins away or you may have to look at a private villa. There are a lot of parks, restaurants, fitness centres etc, and of of course Mirdif City Centre so there is a community here for you to connect with. I hope you and family get settled soon and begin to enjoy your new life in Dubai.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2013 - 14:47
Mirdif is fantastic for family living, you have good chances of finding great 3 bedrooms for a reasonable price below your budget, i recently went house hunting myself and came across many potential homes! Also, its great for your children to grow up in, there's family parks and pre-schools around as well. Good neighbourhoods too! Hi Tripday, we will be moving to Dubai next week & we'll be looking for a place in Mirdif. Since you've done this recently do you have a list of contacts handy which I could use? How did you go about it?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 March 2013 - 12:12
Ignore the agents..drive round and look for "To Let" sign and call from there (sometimes they'll just tell you the key is behind the plant pot etc and to go in and look) or go to security in compounds/apartment blocks and ask them if anything available. So often, we saw things on Dubizzle that looked fab and when we phoned to view we got taken to places that bore no resemblance to those advertised with agent citing fact that property we had called about had just been let. A year on and I still see some of the properties advertised that we tried to view..........I suspect cos they look nice they keep them on the site as a way of attracting people. Thanks again Feefmick, I knew some of those properties were too good to be true! Thanks and wish me luck!!!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 17:36
Ignore the agents..drive round and look for "To Let" sign and call from there (sometimes they'll just tell you the key is behind the plant pot etc and to go in and look) or go to security in compounds/apartment blocks and ask them if anything available. So often, we saw things on Dubizzle that looked fab and when we phoned to view we got taken to places that bore no resemblance to those advertised with agent citing fact that property we had called about had just been let. A year on and I still see some of the properties advertised that we tried to view..........I suspect cos they look nice they keep them on the site as a way of attracting people.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 17:17
i'm hoping our rent won't get raised too much and then we'll prob stay here. If not then we'll prob look properly at Mirdif and Al Warqa. Well if you have any advice about what to do or what not to do when finding an apartment/villa, I'd welcome the help! X
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 17:01
i'm hoping our rent won't get raised too much and then we'll prob stay here. If not then we'll prob look properly at Mirdif and Al Warqa.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 16:59
Mariana - thanks! Hasina - I think our problem was that we visited my DH in April for 2 weeks but he had not organised a car so we were taxiing it everywhere which is not the best method for villa hunting. We then went back to UK and my husband kept looking but he was still without a car. You should easily find an apartment in Silicon Oasis within your budget. there is a HUGE Gems Wellinton School in Silicon Oasis (only 'problem' is that the fees are very high so unless your DH company is paying you may not be able to consider this school.) Garhoud can be very busy with traffic etc. I know a few people who live in Al Warqua - between Silicon Oasis and Mirdif - it seems much cheaper than other areas. Your budget should be fine and give you plenty options. I def concur with Marroosh that Discovery Gardens and Furjan are too far away. We don't live as far out as these two places and I still find myself driving over 200km daily. It would be a long commute for your DH. edited by Feefmick on 30/03/2013 Thanks for your advice Feefmick. So where are you looking to move to? We plan for DH to go out first, to get settled, find housing and schools (I'm a very trusting wife!) and then we will join him. I'm just worried things may take a lot longer than we would like... :(
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 14:44
Mariana - thanks! Hasina - I think our problem was that we visited my DH in April for 2 weeks but he had not organised a car so we were taxiing it everywhere which is not the best method for villa hunting. We then went back to UK and my husband kept looking but he was still without a car. You should easily find an apartment in Silicon Oasis within your budget. there is a HUGE Gems Wellinton School in Silicon Oasis (only 'problem' is that the fees are very high so unless your DH company is paying you may not be able to consider this school.) Garhoud can be very busy with traffic etc. I know a few people who live in Al Warqua - between Silicon Oasis and Mirdif - it seems much cheaper than other areas. Your budget should be fine and give you plenty options. I def concur with Marroosh that Discovery Gardens and Furjan are too far away. We don't live as far out as these two places and I still find myself driving over 200km daily. It would be a long commute for your DH. <em>edited by Feefmick on 30/03/2013</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 12:29
What is Garhoud, Al Qusais and Silicon Oasis like? <em>edited by Hasina on 30/03/2013</em>
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 12:07
Mariana - I'm intrigued re your villa. We'd been told last summer that one could find villas for 80k or less (with access to a pool) in Mirdiff but agents were never able to show us anything for less than AED100k which was way outside our budget. They just kept insisting they had nothing less than AED100k. We're now in an apartment in Layan which is opposite end of city to husband's work, kids' schools etc. Is yours a big compound? Are there often vacant villas. We would prefer a 3 bed but could make do with a 2 bed. thanks. Feefmick will you let me know how you get on please. So far I've been told that rents are going up significantly so I've been worrying. If you could find something in a good budget we have hope!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 12:06
Hi Hassina, Yes there are apartments in those area , and there ar many other areas close by if are in a budget( Silicone Oasis , Al Qusais etc) You need first to be here , make a round have a look and after you could decide in a place where to live. The majority here chose their location/house based in budget, school/work distance /trafic You have a good budget for the house...i will not worry that much if I will be you. Please let us know when you arrive, we may help you that time. PS I live in Mirdif in 2 bed villa, ensuite bedrooms, small garden, commun swiming pool , small gym for the rent price of 70K a year . Water electricity in winter is 500 Dhs ,summer around 1300Dhs Hope this help Thank you so much Mariana! You've been really helpful and given me lots of hope. Would you mind giving me your email address so I can get in touch when we make the move. I won't know anyone and it'd be great to have some help! X
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 09:52
Hi Feefmick , Yes , you could find. Dont use agents, just drive around the area ask the watchmen on the compond, etc. At the moment on my compound all the villas are ocupied Here is the the contact no of the Leassing Agent (they are the landlords but they llike to charge agency fee as well :) ) 04- 3510768 Legere Home compound Landrord is Suleiman and his son Mohammad act as a manager... Forget to mention the water in the garden area is paid by landlord
Anonymous (not verified)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 09:48
I am not familiar with the other places but I live in Discovery Gardens which is opposite of Furjan. It is on the other side of Dubai, and area called Jebel Ali, and quite far if your husband will be working at the Airport. During rush hour it can take forever to get out, as there are few exits. So would not recommend this area.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 09:09
Mariana - I'm intrigued re your villa. We'd been told last summer that one could find villas for 80k or less (with access to a pool) in Mirdiff but agents were never able to show us anything for less than AED100k which was way outside our budget. They just kept insisting they had nothing less than AED100k. We're now in an apartment in Layan which is opposite end of city to husband's work, kids' schools etc. Is yours a big compound? Are there often vacant villas. We would prefer a 3 bed but could make do with a 2 bed. thanks.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 08:28
Hi Hassina, Yes there are apartments in those area , and there ar many other areas close by if are in a budget( Silicone Oasis , Al Qusais etc) You need first to be here , make a round have a look and after you could decide in a place where to live. The majority here chose their location/house based in budget, school/work distance /trafic You have a good budget for the house...i will not worry that much if I will be you. Please let us know when you arrive, we may help you that time. PS I live in Mirdif in 2 bed villa, ensuite bedrooms, small garden, commun swiming pool , small gym for the rent price of 70K a year . Water electricity in winter is 500 Dhs ,summer around 1300Dhs Hope this help
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 01:37
Thank you @amandashaks. Is there an increased cost of water in villas- even without a pool? Is it the tenants responsibility to maintain the garden area? And are all villas in compounds? Someone me too we its cheaper to have a villa in a compound...
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 March 2013 - 01:34
Thank you for your Advice Mariana. Are there many apartments in those areas? It may be a cheaper option and could have the ladies only pool times in the building. Do you know of any good buildings? Or prices in those areas?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 March 2013 - 11:19
Even if you choose to get a villa with no pool in Mirdiff or Warqaa, you can always go to Mushrif Park. They have an all ladies pool and the entrance fee I think is only 10 dhs and its just 10 minutes away :)
 
 

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