Where to live...? Advice Gratefully received

[b'>The Villa[/b'>: Is still very much under construction, lovely big houses, and people are living there happily, but it doesn't have community centers up and running yet so you'll have to travel to Arabian Ranches/Motor City or DSO for shopping. you would be able to get a 4 bed plus maids plus study and private pool for 100-125k. Bare in mind if its not landscaped you'll be looking at spending anywhere from 5-15k to do the garden, and many landlords are not willing to absorb that cost unless the rent is higher. [b'>really for The Villa? I don't actually know anyone who has got one for less than 125k recently, lots are advertised but on enquiry they are not handed over, would be very interested to hear from anyone who has rented an A1 at The Villa for less than 120k as we're up for renewal in ours at the end of the year and we paid 135k last year[/b'> A friend just renewed theirs from 125 to 110 to compensate for the pool being such a problem.... edited by Birki on 15/08/2011

Hello, I used to work in Dubai Academic City and live in DSO, near spinneys. It was nice. I miss that neighborhood. Time wise, that's perfect, it only took me max 5 min to get to work!!!. Location wise, everything is a short ride away. u got dubai mall 15-20 min drive, u got mirdif city center, around 10 min. dubai outlet mall, 5 min drive. All the major roads are easily accessible and somehow, the dubai-al ain road is always not that crowded. Love that road :). Good luck. I hope this helps. PS: Arabian Ranches aren't that far, perhaps 15 min away. It is also a very nice community. didn't live there yet, but have checked it recently and liked it. I now live in Downtown. Via dubai- al ain road, I can make it to Academic city within 15-20 min. You could consider that too, especially that it is central. wish you all the best.

Hi spam 66 I can only give you advice on the ranches as this is were we are now. As previously mentioned it is a well established community and has everything at hand. For your budget you should easily get a villa in al reem or palmera. We secured a 3 beds plus maid and study for the same amount you are looking to spend. We were also looking at falcon city at the time as it is good value for money but the salesperson himself told us that none of the facilities is going to be ready for a good while. This may also be the case for the villas. I much rather have the supermarket nearby as I couldn't possibly handle having to drive 15 mins for a pint of milk! Hope you find what to want! Best of luck. not to mention a 15 minute drive on a highway.

I just met someone yesterday who got an A1 for 100k, also spoke to an agent who said they can get an a1 for 110-115 in one cheque. ETA: With the Villa you have to negotiate in order to get the lower prices, and in getting the lower prices 100-115 you'll probably be in phase 3 or 2 which are less developed in that order. <em>edited by AdviceSeeker on 15/08/2011</em>

[b'>The Villa[/b'>: Is still very much under construction, lovely big houses, and people are living there happily, but it doesn't have community centers up and running yet so you'll have to travel to Arabian Ranches/Motor City or DSO for shopping. you would be able to get a 4 bed plus maids plus study and private pool for 100-125k. Bare in mind if its not landscaped you'll be looking at spending anywhere from 5-15k to do the garden, and many landlords are not willing to absorb that cost unless the rent is higher. [b'>really for The Villa? I don't actually know anyone who has got one for less than 125k recently, lots are advertised but on enquiry they are not handed over, would be very interested to hear from anyone who has rented an A1 at The Villa for less than 120k as we're up for renewal in ours at the end of the year and we paid 135k last year[/b'> <em>edited by Birki on 15/08/2011</em>

Hi spam 66 I can only give you advice on the ranches as this is were we are now. As previously mentioned it is a well established community and has everything at hand. For your budget you should easily get a villa in al reem or palmera. We secured a 3 beds plus maid and study for the same amount you are looking to spend. We were also looking at falcon city at the time as it is good value for money but the salesperson himself told us that none of the facilities is going to be ready for a good while. This may also be the case for the villas. I much rather have the supermarket nearby as I couldn't possibly handle having to drive 15 mins for a pint of milk! Hope you find what to want! Best of luck.

[b'>The Villa[/b'>: Is still very much under construction, lovely big houses, and people are living there happily, but it doesn't have community centers up and running yet so you'll have to travel to Arabian Ranches/Motor City or DSO for shopping. you would be able to get a 4 bed plus maids plus study and private pool for 100-125k. Bare in mind if its not landscaped you'll be looking at spending anywhere from 5-15k to do the garden, and many landlords are not willing to absorb that cost unless the rent is higher. [b'>Falcon City[/b'>: The part that is being rented now is finished, but there is no community facilities and a pool in the garden isn't standard, also no shops so you'll have to travel to AR and DSO for that. I would say you'd be looking at a 3 bed, plus maids, drivers room at about 3500sqft [b'>Victory Heights[/b'>: lovely community but also doesn't have a supermarket, and very inconvenient to drive to and from academic city. I would take this one off my list if it were me. You'd be looking at a 3bed plus study, and you'd be better off in Arabian Ranches if thats the size house you're going for. [b'>Arabian Ranches:[/b'> really lovely area, full facilities like lovely community pools, parks and tennis courts, supermarkets are really handy as there is one in the community and one right next door in motor city. Its a mature community in dubai terms so all the landscaping is grown out, its all settled and has lots of people living there. It also has the golf and polo club which has licensed restaurants. in your budget you'd be looking at a 2 bed plus study (1700sqft) at around 95-110k or a 3M/E 3 bed plus study at around 2400sqft. You'd probably get the smallest house for your budget here, but in return the nicer community out of your choices. [b'>Cedre Villas DSO[/b'>: The villas are really nice, and there are supermarkets within walking distance to most villas. You could possibly get a villa for 125k here but you'd have to shop around and negotiate. You'd probably need to rent directly from a landlord rather than the DSO authority as they aren't very negotiable (unless you're working for a government institution like HCT or ZU then you'd probably get 8% off) you'd be looking at a 3 bed plus study and maids at around 3800sqft. There are communal pools and I think there are tennis courts and parks in phase 1. This is the most convenient place for you working in Academic City. The houses are also new and nicely built for dubai standards. If you are working for HCT or ZU and they're paying the rent directly to the LL for you you should check with them first as they usually have a housing person to help you get a good place in your price range/budget.

Hi spam66, is the 125,000 AED budget inclusive of the 5% deposit and 5% commission or just the rental amount? We managed to get a T2 (3 beds + study + maids) in Victory Heights for 125,000 AED and you can get a T1 (3 beds + study) for 115,000 AED (maybe lower). Our DEWA is hovering around 1300 AED per month in summer, but I am home a lot. The problem with VH though is no pools! We have been here 6 months and the pools still aren't open despite looking ready. I personally like Arabian Ranches, but you are probably looking at a 2 bedroom + study for your budget.

Agree with all Mellie781 says! Love Cedre Villas. However, even the cheapest isn't in AED125,000 range

I can only speak for Cedre Villas at DSO as that is where I live. The villas are a very good size, especially if just two of you - not huge but definitely not small. The finish and quality of the villas is fantastic. There are two types to choose from - Arabic style or modern. They are essentially the same inside, but the modern ones have lots more windows and therefore much lighter and brighter. The villas in the centre of the development all tend to overlook one another, but the ones around the permiter face out onto the desert and are a lot more private. Some also have views of Burj Khalifa and downtown Dubai. Gardens are on the small side, but adequate (and just as well if you are worried about DEWA bills). There is a small shopping complex although as yet, only Spinneys (decent size) and a pharmacy are open. The rest are due to open around September and will eventually include a Starbucks/Costa, an MMI, Supertrim hair salon, mobile phone shop and a community centre. The development has several pools, tennis courts, playgrounds and volleyball courts. It's also very green, which is lovely. The location of Cedre Villas is great. Mirdif City Centre, Dubai Mall, Dubai Outlet Mall and Festival City are all a 10-20 minute drive away. All of the major supermarkets are relatively close by. There is also more and more opening up in the wider area every day, such as restaurants and beauticians etc. I am very happy here. The Freezone status only refers to businesses. That means yes, you will have to pay a 5% levy on your DEWA bill. I don't know much about The Villa except that there is nothing there in terms of facilities - yet. Running out of milk is not a quick trip to the shops. I hope that helps somewhat. Any more questions, feel free to contact me.