Moving to Dubai from Perth Australia...advice welcome!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 12:22

Hello ladies,

I will be relocating to Dubai before the end of the year with my husband and 12 month old daughter. I am trying to gather as much information as possible and have spent ages reading threads on this site, it is great! My question is regarding areas to live.

We would like to live in a villa with a decent size garden preferably with 4 bedrooms. I have been looking at all of the real estate sites at different communities and from our research we feel that Arabian Ranches, Victory Heights and Green Community may suit our needs. We want to be in a community with pool/s, play areas etc, and ideally other expats with young families. My husband will be working in Sharjah so we do need to take his daily commute into account as well. Our budget is around AED200k.

I have also been looking into Childrens Garden Nursery in Green Community and will be looking to enrol our daughter there (if we can get her in) next Sept - primarily for the bilingual aspect as my husband speaks to her in French. If anyone can recommend any other bilingual nurseries I will have a look at those too.

Thanks!
Laura

:)

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19

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 11:53

Thank you admin - I went along to a coffee morning last week and once I am mobile I will definitely be going to some of the mums and toddlers events :-) Plum2 babysitting services will most definitely be required let me know how to contact you and meet your teenagers. Happymummy1 - I have found this website so helpful to research, I hope your moving preps go ok! I have not had chance to visit nurseries yet, but will be as soon as we have moved as I understand there are waiting lists for most of them. As others have advised we need to look into schools now for DD and get her name down so that is at the top of my to do list once we have moved. Everyone has recommended to live near kids schools, I guess your 3 year old will be going to school fairly soon here. We have only been to the marina briefly, and both DH and I agreed that if we did not have DD we would most definitely choose to live there. Lots of people love living in apartments with kiddies as there seem to be lots of facilites etc and less maintenance, however apartment living just isn't for me with a 15 month old. I like to have outside space and we enjoy having our own pool, so we have chosen a villa in a community which seems to be family friendly with parks for kids and community shaded paddling pools etc. But it is personal preference, good luck with your move :-)

happymummy164054

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 09 November 2012 - 15:49

i am originally from Perth but live in Sydney and moving to Dubai in March 2012 with my 3 yr old and 9mth old - with nurseries or kindergarten's are the waiting lists long for these as well??? Am currently debating with my husband about apartment living in the Marina or maybe to the Springs where i feel would be better for children....he wants to be close to "the action" for the first year we are there...do you think this would be ok short term or better to get into a community for sake of schooling? Personally i would like some green space for my kids not apartment living which even though the facilities are amazing it might be a bit isolating? Should you live nearby to your child's school?

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 21:25

Bump for OP

1913

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 15:00

Hi Laura I'm also in Saheel with older teenage kids. Let me know if you need a babysitter! Plum

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 14:36

Hi Laura, Welcome to Dubai! You can meet some wonderful ladies at one of our coffee mornings. Have a look at the following link: http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_events_whats_on.aspx We did not forget DD, we also have dedicated expat moms and tots mornings where the ladies bring the little ones to play. http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_events_whats_on.aspx We hope that Dubai brings you great adventures. EW Admin

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 November 2012 - 14:14

Hi ladies Well we are here! Arrived 2.5 weeks ago and so far so good! We have found a villa to rent in Saheel AR and will be moving in a couple of weeks. I am yet to brave driving here, but we are car hunting the weekend so I will have to give it a go soon :-/ I must confess that I am actually a Pom! We have been living in Perth for 5 years and LOVE it so it is now our adopted home, and we have come to Dubai for a bit of adventure and a new experience...who knows where it will take us?! If any of you ladies in VH with little ones would like to get together sometime I would love to meet some new people and find some play mates for DD! Laura :-)

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 21:46

Wow how many ladies from Perth are here!? I'm from Melbourne and we have a 6 year old and live in Victory Heights. We absolutely love it. There are pools, parks and a lovely quiet community feel. The large supermarket 5 mins up the road (Spinneys) is also great. I work in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) and it is lovely too and a little closer to Sharjah. There is a new nursery opening in DSO called British Orchard Nursery which has a good reputation and there is also a good school (Wellington DSO). Your commute times to Sharjah also depend on how far into Sharjah your hubby will be working? Most of my colleagues from work live in Sharjah and drive to DSO. Good luck with your move and don't hesitate to ask if you have more questions. We have been here 5 years and LOVE living here! X

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 19:35

I am also from Perth and have been in Dubai for 4.5yrs. We have lived in Arabian Ranches and now live in Al Barsha 3. Living in the Ranches was a great community to start out in, and it is where I met my best friends. It is expensive though, which was one of the factors to moving to Al Barsha, that and closer to schools etc. Also I know your daughter is only young but try and start getting a feel for schools. I know it seems ridiculous when you are only now looking at nurseries but time goes so fast and the waitlists are ridiculous. Plus many people plan where they live around schooling because you spend 80% of your time driving. As for accents, well my sons and I get made fun of because we sound like we stepped off the plane yesterday! I'm not sure if its the long summers spent in Perth or if its the country upbringing but there is no chance of it disappearing!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 November 2012 - 13:47

Hi, I only just read your post so maybe too late but I am from Perth and just moved here in August. I have three children aged 8, 6 and 1 and we are living at Victory Heights and love it! It has such a great community feel and there is also a nursery 5 minutes away where a couple of people I know send their children and say its great. I am only a newbie but may be able to help with some of the settling in issues you may have. Liz

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 15:02

You can get prepaid sims like anywhere else with phone/data packages. Major Providers are; Telstra, Optus, Vodafone... And there are heaps of other smaller ones. Telstra has probably the better coverage, but I think value may be better with Vodafone. Put a .com.au on the end of the company to search the prepaid deals! Good luck for your daughter in oz!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 13:15

There is a childrens Graden opening in Barsha, closer to the ranches and closer to the villa project which is better access to Sharjah than Green Com or Vic Heights.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 10:42

I have another question for those of you just moved from perth if you don't mind! It is regarding phones - is it possible to get just a sim card for a Blackberry on a prepaid type basis? DD has to buy a new phone to take and she could get an unlocked blackberry or maybe an android (she wants access to whatsapp). Getting one on a prepaid basis would be better than her having to get a contract. Any advice on this would be appreciated please. Thanks. I have been trying to look at the Oz phone websites but it is all a bit confusing!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 09:33

Sarah Joy...you have mail!

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EW MASTER

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 09:09

I am being really cheeky and butting in on your Perth thread - I wonder if anyone can help advise me - my daughter (aged 20) is about to head over there for a year. She is dong a years work placement at ECU in joondalup. There are 4 of them from her Uni in the Uk going and they are trying to find a house to rent. Some of the other girls are already there and looking around but they haven't found anything suitable yet and they are now wondering if it would be better to live in Perth and commute (by train as they don't drive) to ECU or whether to live in Joondalup and then travel to Perth for entertainment etc. Thanks for any advice for a bunch of youngsters!?? Look on Gumtree.com.au there's lots of student type accomodation in Joondalup and around that would suit your daughter. http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-real-estate/joondalup-perth/rent+house+bed/k0c9296l3008414r5?sort=closest hth ETA I spend time near Joondalup every year, its not a backwater at all. There is a good train into the city takes about 20 mins into Perth central. The uni is very vibrant and there are lots of students living in flats and house shares around the town. Another plus is Joondalup will be cheaper in rent than Perth. <em>edited by Di@DXB on 28/08/2012</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 09:04

Hey Sarah Joy that transperth site is great isn't it! DD is student age but is actually going to be working at the Uni rather than studying - she will be a research asst so will be there 5 days a week 9-4 ish. The not driving thing is a bit of a pain as they need to make sure they are nearish a bus stop or train station to get to the Uni even if they live relatively close by

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 00:06

I am being really cheeky and butting in on your Perth thread - I wonder if anyone can help advise me - my daughter (aged 20) is about to head over there for a year. She is dong a years work placement at ECU in joondalup. There are 4 of them from her Uni in the Uk going and they are trying to find a house to rent. Some of the other girls are already there and looking around but they haven't found anything suitable yet and they are now wondering if it would be better to live in Perth and commute (by train as they don't drive) to ECU or whether to live in Joondalup and then travel to Perth for entertainment etc. Thanks for any advice for a bunch of youngsters!?? Hiya Quick - what a helpful mum you are!!! Seeing as you mentioned they don't drive, have you become familiar with this very helpful website... http://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/ This site has all info on public transport options in Perth. It allows you to plan a journey from door to door and I was thinking you could use it to get an estimate of just how long (minutes) the travel time would be for her to get from Perth city centre out to Joondalup each day. Then I'd be thinking about - will she actually be required to attend classes at the Uni campus every day of the week? Lots of 'full time' study loads can have classes scheduled so there's a day or two you might not have to go in. If she will be on campus everyday - then I'd personally stick with accommodation closest to where I would spend most of my time. But please check the travel time estimates and see how you both feel about them (as i don't know what kind of commute time she is currently accustomed to). Also, I'm not really familiar with the Joondalup area as i have not lived out there and my first thought was 'there's going to be nothing to do there for her except Uni' - but my husband just said Joondalup apparently is a busy place now with a good choice of hangouts/restaurants/clubs etc. http://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/Homepage.aspx As for housing - isn't there a student housing/oversea student assistance department at this ECU campus who should be leading this search for them??

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 23:26

I am being really cheeky and butting in on your Perth thread - I wonder if anyone can help advise me - my daughter (aged 20) is about to head over there for a year. She is dong a years work placement at ECU in joondalup. There are 4 of them from her Uni in the Uk going and they are trying to find a house to rent. Some of the other girls are already there and looking around but they haven't found anything suitable yet and they are now wondering if it would be better to live in Perth and commute (by train as they don't drive) to ECU or whether to live in Joondalup and then travel to Perth for entertainment etc. Thanks for any advice for a bunch of youngsters!??

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 19:29

nope, missed the grumpy, tired lady today...shame! Usually security let people up, well they do to me anyway. Which building are you in?

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 18:38

I think I may be 'hiding' very close by to you Sarah Joy, would be happy to meet up as I don't know anyone else here from Perth either. As for losing your accent, when we were home on holiday over summer my daughter's friends all told her that she talked 'funny', and we had only been here 7 months! Hahahaha!!! How old is your daughter? My sister and friends after phone calls have recently told me I now sound South African - which there is absolutely nothing wrong with sounding South African - but I've lived in Perth my whole life and have never even been lucky enough to visit South Africa. Would love to catch up at a time that we are both free! In ur building today - Did you happen to see a grumpy and tired lady, covered in cleaning dust and barely presentable - plod down to the foyer a little while ago to go get a big box from a courier that I'd been stuck home waiting for all day... that security staff would then not let into the lifts to get to my floor?? If so - that was me!!! Hahaha :)))

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 18:26

I think I may be 'hiding' very close by to you Sarah Joy, would be happy to meet up as I don't know anyone else here from Perth either. As for losing your accent, when we were home on holiday over summer my daughter's friends all told her that she talked 'funny', and we had only been here 7 months!

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 18:11

Where are all you lovely Perth ladies hiding in Dubai?!?! I've only really met with one other Aussie lady (east coast though) since arriving. Afraid I might be at risk of losing my Perth accent hehehe :)

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 17:05

Hi Laura, I am also from Perth :-) we have been living in Dubai for almost 5 years and we love it here, will be happy to answer any questions as they pop up. Good luck with the move. SD x

154

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 16:42

We also moved from Perth last year. My husband works in Sharjah, so I looked at Silicon Oasis, but as I couldn't find places in the school for my children we didn't end up moving there. The area was nice, with community pools, playgrounds and a shop. Someone else who actually lives there will have more info though! I live in an apartment now, something I said I would never do again,but so far is ok, sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck with all the planning and moving.

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 13:50

Thanks Sarah Joy! I really should have re-read my post before posting it! I wanted to ask if there are any other communities that we should consider that I didn't mention? Looking forward to getting over there now - although there is so much to do before we leave. Yep - big big job packing up your life and shifting countries :) Hopefully you gets lots of mummies recommending their expat/villa communities which can help your decision. I have a friend whose husband works in sharjah and they have been living in a lovely villa in The Springs. There seems to be lakes and green areas scattered throughout the suburb. They are about to move into a villa in the Jumeriah Village Triangle area. (but they don't have children). I think some of the well established primarily expat communities like the ranches might have their own forums/web sites/fb groups - maybe???? (have you had a look?) Hopefully you hear from someone who does the daily Sharjah commute for tips though. My own husband has to visit an office there on occasion and has mentioned that the time you choose to leave/return to dubai can make a big diff to your travel time/traffic problems.

fairycakeyumm21878

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 13:41

The villa community is a great location it's newer and you get a bigger house for your money. It's 10 min from the ranches just after global village on the emirates rd behind falcon city, which is also another location to look at. All houses are detatched and start from 4 beds. Some have there own pools and there is a huge playground in phase 1 where I live. I have a 5 bed with huge garden and a pool For 195 k. There are nurseries in dso 5 min away and one in the villa community as well. <em>edited by fairycakeyumm on 27/08/2012</em>

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 13:28

Thanks Sarah Joy! I really should have re-read my post before posting it! I wanted to ask if there are any other communities that we should consider that I didn't mention? Looking forward to getting over there now - although there is so much to do before we leave.

206

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 27 August 2012 - 12:43

Hello ladies, I will be relocating to Dubai before the end of the year with my husband and 12 month old daughter. I am trying to gather as much information as possible and have spent ages reading threads on this site, it is great! My question is regarding areas to live. We would like to live in a villa with a decent size garden preferably with 4 bedrooms. I have been looking at all of the real estate sites at different communities and from our research we feel that Arabian Ranches, Victory Heights and Green Community may suit our needs. We want to be in a community with pool/s, play areas etc, and ideally other expats with young families. My husband will be working in Sharjah so we do need to take his daily commute into account as well. Our budget is around AED200k. I have also been looking into Childrens Garden Nursery in Green Community and will be looking to enrol our daughter there (if we can get her in) next Sept - primarily for the bilingual aspect as my husband speaks to her in French. If anyone can recommend any other bilingual nurseries I will have a look at those too. Thanks! Laura :) Hiya Laura :) You must be very excited! My husband and I moved here last year - also both from the ever glorious Perth hehe. We are still working on the children part so I'm sorry I can't help you with your nursery questions etc but there are many others here who will have lots of valuable first hand advice for you. I'm by no means an expat expert - but am very happy for you to throw any "what's really different from home" questions my way that you might be worried about and I'll help wherever I can. Wishing you much luck and as much stress free planning as possible while your move date comes closer. Sarah

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