build quality - Meadows

Hi I bought "Off Plan" 10 years ago in Meadows 9 and have had no problems structurally at all. A lot depends on previous owners and their maintenance of the property itself, just like anywhere. Would advise if you are buying here to take out a maintenance package with M Plus (Emaar owned). I have the basic package and that suits me. I am guaranteed a call out within 4 hours and the first hour of labour is free. The main issues are with the A/C's. I have them serviced once a year and clean the filters myself every few months. I have 2 A/Cs which I have more problems with in the summer months but both of them are in the kids bedrooms but I was recently advised by an M Plus employee that they use cheap replacement parts that don't last very long. The traffic is not bad at all depending where you choose to live. Meadows 6 residents have problems getting out as parents parking at Dubai British School block the entrance at school times. Emirates International School causes problems around Meadows / Springs Drive at school times. The shopping centres are always busy but mostly due to the fact that surrounding communities such as JVT , Jumeirah Islands etc have never built schools or shopping centres within their own areas. We have really good access to Al Khail and Sheik Zayed, it takes no time at all to exit apart from peak hours and when they have the golf at the Montgomery. I bought this property to raise a family in and have no regrets whatsoever.My kids cycle to school, can play out in the street and have loads of friends. I lived in Jumeirah before and thought I was moving into the middle of nowhere at first but after the first few years, everything came up and around this area more and more. Prices are as you say are very varying! I think I would advise to buy something that requires updating. Some are so overpriced and haven't had that much done to them. Home improvement has come such a long way here in the last few years and doesn't need to cost the earth as it had done previously due to lack of competition. Good luck!

We have just bought a villa in Meadows 1, and did a complete renovation. There wasn't anything really wrong with the villa, but the flooring and 'aesthetic' of the villa wasn't quite to our liking. We made it more 'open space' by breaking down walls, gutting out the kitchen and bathrooms and redoing them completely from scratch. But there were no structural issues with the villa. We wanted to be close to JBR and the Marina as that's where we previously lived and LOVED the area. My husband also works in JLT so the location was more than ideal. So far we like it, we like having more space than we did in JBR, we love the backyard (which we landscaped). We like the neighbourhood as well, my boys love it too!

Have you had a look at Jumeirah Park, it’s just next door to Meadows? The villas are gorgeous and the community is slowly coming together with the newly opened Pavillion and they have started to build a school next to the mall! I think the prices are slightly cheaper than the Meadows as well. And it's been built by a very different builder!!

We live in Meadows 1 and we have had no problems with our villa, it depends whether they have been looked after or not, when we brought ours the owner was living in it but we saw lots that had just been rented out over the years and you could tell the difference!

Another thing to be aware of within the Meadows is the finishings, they can be quite different depending on which Phase of building they were part of. Meadows 9 was the last to be completed, quite a time after the others, but the finishings in some contain just very plain white cupboard doors and room doors, where some of the other Phases had really lovely quality ones. Similarly with bathroom tiling etc, some are very nicely finished with lovely tiling while others are quite plain and bare. As a previous poster said, beware of Damas trees in your property and your neighbours, it is now 10 years since these trees were planted as the owners were encouraged to by the landscapers (!) and the roots will be very widespread and deep.

We have lived in ours for 3 years now and structurally it is sound (DH is an architect). Sure, we have the odd hairline crack on the walls but nothing major. We are in Meadows 5 and it is a great location as it is quiet, within walking distance to the Meadows shops and Town Centre (in cooler weather). Gardens are mature. Great walking and jogging. Like mum2girls, water tank issues arise; the ball valve broke in ours and we ended up with an eyewatering DEWA bill. We will probably have to replace the outside electricity box as it has started to short-circuit but that is due to the hot weather and overheating. Our aircons work fine. Never had issues with mould. Yes, shopping at Spinneys can be busy during those times but now Pavilion Mall is open so going to Geant is a great alternative. The other times to avoid obviously is kids' school pick up/drop off times.

Hi.I have friends that live in meadows two and five and they've been there for years.they live it so much.no problems at all with the build quality.their children have so many friends there It is very safe if you have a family and close to everything

We live in meadows 1, one of my friend live in meadows 2 and the other one in meadows 3. We are all very happy with quality of building (we did some renovations) and quality of life here. Never have any problems with traffic. For us it is perfect location. But we would not like to live in meadows 6,7,8,9 . And we would rather live here, than out in the desert in new house. edited by hope1more on 05/09/2014 edited by hope1more on 05/09/2014 <em>edited by hope1more on 05/09/2014</em>

I think the Meadows houses are really run down. It's been a long time since I went into one and thought it was nice. Having said that, I think the shells are fine and can be renovated. However, I would never buy in the Meadows because the traffic is horrible, the shopping centers overwhelmed by all the new building and I think it will only get worse.