Pootle Flump | ExpatWoman.com
 

Pootle Flump

Pootle Flump
79
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Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 10:19
Oh I take it back - it is Madar International School, its based in Al Ain
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 May 2011 - 09:32
I think that should be Masdar
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 May 2011 - 11:17
The Flash Forum is the big dome structure located directly opposite the entrance to Yas Hotel. Head towards the race track and follow signs for the hotels. All the hotels on Yas are in a group, and will within walking distance of the Forum. Your pick of hotels include Yas Rotana, Radisson Blu, Crowne Plaza, Park Inn and Staybridge. Not sure how long the event is on for though sorry.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 09:18
sorry the mall that i am on about is finished, they are presently doing the car park, it was meant to be open december last year, then april so it shouldnt be much longer. Its great to have more Malls out of the city, but I wonder if the shops are going to more local than highstreet. I wonder if its going to be another Al Raha Mall?
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 May 2011 - 09:12
Is Al Reef a nice place to live? Any feedback on Khalifa City? We aren't so worried about having a 'large' apartment, rather somewhere with nicer facilities (footpaths, supermarket)... We live in Al Reef and love it, its great. The pool is lovely, just need a shop and life will be great. Good access to the corniche and the city. We can be in Dubai Mall in under an hour. The airport doesnt bother us at all, no plane noise, but only 10 mins to get there. We looked at KCA but I thought I would feel isolated there. I feel very safe and secure in Al Reef with the security etc especially when my DH is away. There are plus and minus points for everywhere, its just up to what you want / require. Value for money its superb.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 May 2011 - 21:31
For 100K you wont get anything nice. You could only get a 2-bed apartment in MBZ city in the etihad compound but it is hard to get as they are very popular, otherwise you expected to expect at least 130K for a nice one. Or an apartment in a villa in Khalifa city but I dont know how good nice they are. Sorry, but there are plenty of "nice" place for 100k, we live in one! There are more and more options becoming available
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 19:46
thanx Would you be prepared to work in Abu Dhabi? I know of a British International School that is looking for adminstration support staff.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 19:42
Thank you for posting =) We were planning on traveling to Qatar but cancelled as soon as this happened! Am I missing something or is Qatar at more risk than anywhere? Just asking, because I am in charge of travel for my company inc. Qatar - or are you saying all travel should be cancelled? No no no, nothing specific to Qatar! We just personally don't want to be travelling for a few days at least =) No problem, just thought you knew something I hadnt heard lol. Personally I always think the few days following an incident are safer for travel as everyone is on high alert. I am concerned that this could trigger some events, but I arent going to change any plans accordingly - more chance of getting swiped out on SZR
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2011 - 19:32
Thank you for posting =) We were planning on traveling to Qatar but cancelled as soon as this happened! Am I missing something or is Qatar at more risk than anywhere? Just asking, because I am in charge of travel for my company inc. Qatar - or are you saying all travel should be cancelled?
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 April 2011 - 07:50
We have stayed at sequoia twice now and love it. Nice walk around the lake to the parks, loads of characters in the hotel, starting from when we were checking in. Santa fe is quite a way from the parks and looked a bit more like a motel. We didn't like how there were cars driving / parking around the accommodation blocks, which you don't get at the others. I liked the look of all the hotels on the lake. We used to pinch bread rolls from breakfast and eat them to the ducks when walking to the park. <em>edited by Pootle Flump on 16/04/2011</em>
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:55
Whoo hooo finally we see some rain - its only taken over 12 months - so happy :-)))))
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 April 2011 - 21:53
OK so there is lots of choice when it comes to living in Abu Dhabi. From what I have researched so far it is not cheap. I do have two children, so I think it better I look at nursery, schools and housing at the same time. Is it easy to get from place to place? Schooling is going to be the most difficult - and also not cheap. Start with the school, then the nursery, then look for a home. If you find a home the furthest end of the island to the school - no it isnt going to be easy to get around. It all depends on your housing budget.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 14:01
We lived in Al Mushrif when we first moved here and loved it, mainly because we didnt want to end up on a expat compound with loads of screeming kids etc. We loved the fact that we had to dodge chickens in the road, see the odd goat walk past, have neighbours who kept camels in their gardens etc. Al Mushrif is mainly independant villas, some do have their own pools etc. Its a very local area with good access to the city and off-island. Once the Mushrif Mall opens if will be great for shopping etc. We have since moved to Al Reef, and its the best thing we have ever done, there is a really good mix of locals and expats and the furthest spectrum to what we thought we wanted when we moved here. I suppose what I am trying to say is not to rule anything out, until you have had a good look around and got a feel about a place.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 13:01
I was just about to start a new thread and saw this one. Perhaps someone could advise me. We currently live in Jumeirah in Dubai. A complex of 18 old villas with lovely private gardens, pool and squash court. The area is a mix of old and new houses both independent villas and complexes. Probably a higher ratio of Emiratis than expatriates living in this area. My husband is now permanently working in Abu Dhabi and commuting daily and as my DD will be finished school in June I am trying to persuade DH to move to Abu Dhabi. He maintains there is no accommodation available and will not consider living in an expatriate housing complex like the Springs here which is hundreds of look alike villas. Rather we need to find a villa in an older established area. His office is in one of the new areas near the airport so maybe that side of town. Can anyone give me any advice? Many thanks I would suggest you look around KCA, KCB and MBZ. There are loads of smaller compounds around there with more independant villas. Don't think you will get the squash courts though. Most of the large compounds like Sas Al Nakheel, Al Raha, Al Reef etc are all built identically and are probably more like you would describe the springs. All of the above are off island, with good access to the Airport area. ETA oh and the area Between 2 Bridges might be a good location to start looking as well <em>edited by Pootle Flump on 07/04/2011</em>
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 April 2011 - 08:28
Stars N Bars will have it on and is very child friendly. They have an amusement centre just in case they get bored of the cricket. Its locted on yas marina
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 19:32
Our Bahrain based staff went back last week, even against all our advice. The FCO website still advises everyone to leave, but as our staff said, this will always be quoted until the 3 month state of emergency is lifted. They said the shops, banks and schools are open as usual. Etihad have today also lifted the advice against travelling to dammam across the causeway. The FCO says most roads are back to normal now, but still not to travel around the island at night.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 28 March 2011 - 19:26
We stayed at sequoia (sp) Disney hotel twice now and loved it, loads of characters around the hotel and a very pleasant walk around the lake in the morning to the park. We have done florida and paris, and as much as we love florida, the paris site was nearly as good, and better for walking around as its not so big. We did both parks over 2 nights / 3 days. I think we actually saw more characters etc in Paris then we ever have in Florida. We booked Cafe Disney one night, which was great even though my niece didnt eat much as was too distracted by the characters. We can't wait to go back. My favourite time was during December, when it was all christmassy. The only downside, compared to florida is the weather and food (not to mention the wine!).
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2011 - 09:04
Aloft will be easier for you to get around from. You might go a bit crazy being stuck on Yas (Centro) for 2 months. Taxis will be easy to get from Aloft as it is connected to the exhibition centre.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 22:40
We were given 20,000 AED to furnish our 1 bed by DH's company when we moved here - we did it, just. Must admit though most things now need replacing after 3 years, you get what you pay for
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 22:37
depends what you are in Abu Dhabi for. Aloft is on island so easy access to the city centre. Centro is on Yas Island but with good access to the other hotels there, all within walking distance. Aloft is aimed at 25 - 40 year old, Centro is aimed at business people just wanting to get their heads down in a hotel with no frills (no room service etc). Personally I prefer the feel of Centro, reminds me of a Premier Inn in the UK - you get what you pay for, clean rooms etc. The bars are probably more lively at night at Aloft tho
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 22:32
150k will get you a 5 bed villa with own pool in Al Reef Desert community. Desert community is the newest release of villas. Arabian community is fully complete (not a building site as previously described) but I think the rents are a little higher. Arabian has its own pool, gym and play areas with a lovely community spirit. Shops opening in May apparently (???!!) but is only 10 mins from spinneys and abela. The drive to the corniche is only 20 mins (depending on which end). Must admit though we never considered KCB as that seemed a little remote when we were looking. Al Seef might be worth looking at, friends of ours just looked at a 2 bed apartment there for 150k, they are in a very good location for getting on and off island (might be tricky getting to the corniche from there tho until Salam St is finished fully).
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 March 2011 - 09:50
I am very relieved. The letter of acceptance want us to commit by March the 29th and agree to their term -mainly to pay the equivalent of a term's fee should we withdraw our application (ouch!). I guess BC doesn't want parents going anywhere!!! Will talk to hubby when he gets home. Can they actually legally request that? I thought you only had to pay 500 AED to hold the place. I know a lot of school request term fees up front, but technically they arent allowed - or is that just in Dubai?
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 20:44
We just drove from Dubai Mall to Abu Dhabi and had weird cloud / fog patches all the way home. The tall buildings around Dubai Mall and Marina seemed to hold the fog the worst. Abu Dhabi is covered in really low black cloud - very strange
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:51
My friend lives there, loves the outdoor space and convenience for everywhere. Her only downside is getting Etisalat connected - they say the area isnt connect, which does seem rubbish!
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 February 2011 - 21:48
I have not had to show my licence at Spinneys liquor store at Al Bandar - newly opened. Did not realise it was open! DH will be pleased....where is it located? Heard it was to be in the car park? edited by MimiM on 17/02/2011 Its in the carpark under the Spinneys carpark - carry on down one more level from the visitors carpark for Spinneys. Its at the far right hand corner of the carpark - more parking space then anywhere (wow how many times can i use the word carpark??). Lovely English bloke that runs the place - slightly more expensive than High Spirits
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 February 2011 - 11:27
Thank You all for the response and tips ... My DD was happy to meet father christmas but she looked little suspicious of whether he was real lol.. So I want to take her to disney early so she can enoy the magic. Have been looking thru some websites and have some questions.. 1) Are 2 days enough for disneyland , both parks.. 2) Are their enough rides for a tall 4 year old. 3)Should we stay Sequoia lodge for the lake and cycles or Disneyland hotel for the disney thing.. 4) What are the must do in paris other then Arc de Triomphe , Notre Dame , louver , Champs Elysees and Eiffel tower. 5) Should we book shows and breakfast with mickey before we leave. We took our niece to Disneyworld florida, aged 2 1/2 and Disneyland Paris aged 3 and 4. She loved them all, but was a bit overwelmed in Florida. We found the Paris site to be much easier to get around, and you can easily do both parks in 2 days. We stayed at the Sequoia lodge on both stays and loved it, especially seeing all the characters around the hotel without all the huge q's you get in the park. If we had the money though we would definately stayed at the Disney hotel, it looked stunning. We took her to Cafe Disney for dinner which she loved, even though she hardly eat anything as was too distracted by the characters. The walk to park around the lake in the morning is lovely. There are loads of rides for that age group, probably better than for older kids as there arent that many big rides. Oh but dont go into the Snow White ride, which we thought would just be a lovely train ride - ended up frightening her to death. Oh I so need to go back!
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 February 2011 - 21:54
Very annoyed, offered a great job, but on local hire contract - just because I'm married-why? Wouldn't mind but hubby doesn't have a package that can support us both-if he did I wouldn't be working! Contemplating divorce to get around it! Anyone know if this is the law of the land or just a way to save money? In my company it doenst matter if you are male or female (married or not), they will always employ Local hire over expat package - purely down to the cost saving
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 February 2011 - 14:51
The cheapest are on Yas Island, but obviously not in the city. The One-2-One has a good deals on, but the layout is not to everyones taste. The best one we find, that is reasonable, is the Park Rotana.
Pootle Flump
79
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 January 2011 - 22:12
I have a Dubai visa, live in abu dhabi , got my medical done in abu dhab. Only thing we had to go to dubby for was driving license
 
 
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