For apartments in Khalidya I have heard of people just going into buildings in the area they want to live in and asking security if there are any flats available rather than going through estate agents. Good luck!
I would recommend staying in a hotel apartment when you first arrive to figure out which area you want to be in. As far as i know you usually have to sign up for 6 months or more likely a year for rental accommodation but I suppose there must be some short term rental places! We stayed in eclipse hotel apartments for a few months first, not too far to marina but there are probably closer ones in al bateen or khalidya. You'll mainly find apartments in khalidya and corniche areas, not villas. Now we live in al Reem. There's a bus from here all the way to marina but takes at least half an hour. Taxis are cheap though! Probably about £4 from here to marina.
