Silvstet | ExpatWoman.com
 

Silvstet

Silvstet
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2016 - 13:41
its just as cheap (if not more) at the main Fruit & Veg market in Shindagha (Deira)... amazinggg bargains and i always come back with bags full of things! I believe you, but the fruit and vegetables market is minimum 40 min away from where I live and have to pass salik a few times, bearing that in mind I would rather go to my nearest rip off Spinneys.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2016 - 13:07
I like them, but they are expensive and I found a lot of the pharmacy brands quite similar quality like Vichy and Le Roche Posey, which are cheaper.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 February 2016 - 13:04
I bought 3 kg of oranges for 5 dhs, braeburn apples 6.50 dhs per kg, carrots 1.95 dhs per kg, kiwi, 5 dhs per kg, Tomatoes from Holland 9.95 dhs per kg and the list goes on with 1 kg Strawberries for 19 dhs....and more.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2016 - 19:16
With people treating it as a rubbish dump, I am not surprised. I stopped going, as it was sad to see the rubbish, the mentality of these people are unbelievable. The authorities need to be stricter on littering and enforce fines like Singapore does.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 27 February 2016 - 18:27
Dubai! It's close to Saudi and you can live a normal life. My husband works in Saudi every now and then and has been offered positions there and said he would never bring his family there, mind you most of the Saudis don't even want to live there. The other options feels to distant to keep your family together.... Not unusual here with husbands working away in countries like Saudi and coming home in the weekends.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 25 February 2016 - 15:50
It's a lot of value in getting access to someones phone number. When I go to Boots and buy cotton buds, why would they need my phone number? And when you tell them no, they look at you like you spat in their face. Even big companies will make deals and sell on their databases...
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 24 February 2016 - 08:04
Nursery unless you find a maid that you trust 110 % , most of the "nannys" out there doesn't have a clue what they are doing and will not stimulate development as good as nurseries. I had various issues with maids looking after children, feeding them **** because they can't say no, the language they use with the children can be poor and they will not do age appropriate activities with them. There are good ones out there, but hard to get it right.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 24 February 2016 - 06:17
Dubai is generally safer than most European cities where not many live in gated communities,Jumeirah Park got security cars in the area. I don't know if a gated community is so much safer, people that shouldn't be there get in anyway and there are always loopholes.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 February 2016 - 17:20
Most of the Madinat restaurants don't do brunch. Jumeirah Beach Hotel got Dhow and Anchor and La Veranda. Wavebreaker at the Hilton Jumeirah. Beachhouse at Anatara. Ronda Locatelli at Atlantis.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 22 February 2016 - 17:16
I am not even living on the Palm, but I know there are certain times you are not supposed to use your car in certain areas of Dubai. Thursday night, JBR and most parts of the Marina is a big no, Downtown Dubai after 6 pm most evenings...and the list goes on. If one bad experience in one place put you off going there ever, you might as well make your garden or balcony comfortable.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2016 - 17:01
It should be 5 % of the yearly rent, so I guess you are renting something for 200 k. 50 % of the fee goes to the company he works for and he most likely don't have a basic salary...You can try to negotiate I suppose, but the pay cut will be on him and not company.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 February 2016 - 16:47
I go to the Palm a few times a week and it's rarely any traffic issues, unless it's an event in Atlantis or something similar, certainly no worse than most parts of Dubai. Construction everywhere in Dubai as well...
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 February 2016 - 11:29
Hyperpanda is generally the cheapest for bulk cleaning products, but so far for me, only time I go there is when I am in Ikea anyway. Lulu and Carrefour are similar priced.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 20 February 2016 - 10:35
I think you have a bigger chance to get takers if you post an actual price that you would accept. I would love to go, but unfortunately has other commitments.
Silvstet
767
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EW GURU
Latest post on 20 February 2016 - 07:00
Platinum heritage safari is awesome, we did the morning tour last year were we drove through the desert and spotted desert animals and there was a Falcon experience where you do one to one with the falcon and owls. The food was only a small breakfast, but it was lovely as it was small and intimate. It's expensive though, but your parents would love their tours. Definitely don't go any tours that do dune bashing on the boarder to Oman with them, Arabian Expedition is one of many there. The dunes are huge and I was terrified! To be honest if your parents have small problems here and there I would skip the dune bashing experience. Bab al Shams is also lovely for the desert experience, the outdoor restaurant has a setup like an Arabic village withe entertainment for dinner.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 23:33
Hi again ladies! Sorry but I believe I didn't explain myself correctly. I am not planning to live with 500AED per month, I am bringing extra money with me and this is an Internship in Sales&Marketing department for 6 months, not a job and yes if I'll be a good worker, I'll have the opportunity to stick with them. This is supposed to be an investment in my career and most of all I have to do it so I can finish my graduation. I contacted many other hotels around the world and Dubai is by far the city that offers best conditions in the hotel business. Forgot to mention that they will also provide transportation from the apartment to the hotel and an insurance that only covers accidents (even outside the hotel). The accommodation is an apartment for 2 girls in Discovery Gardens (which I haven't understood yet if it's far or not from the center of Dubai). So the thing is, despite these expenses how much do you think I'll have to spend monthly? (Like having dinner in a nice restaurant around 1 or 2 times a week, Metro/Taxi to go to the city center, Food for when I'm not working, Mobile Plans) Dubai is like any international city. The sky is the limit, but you could still do what you are aiming for at the same level as what you would do for in Liaboa for example, just transfer it to dirhams....
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 12:34
If its an internship at a hotel, transportation is most likely included. The compensation sounded low, but I don't have experience from internship, so didn't know that's common practice. Dubai prices are not so different from Portugal, metro and taxis are cheaper, if you shop at Carrefour or other hypermarkets the grocery cost is also similar. Pork and alcohol is very expensive. There are ladies night where you can party for free, beach is free and most parks are as well. You can eat out cheaply in food courts. Restaurants serving alcohol are generally expensive for a student. Clothes are more expensive.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 12:03
They are both excellent schools, I think you should focus on which curriculum you would like for your child when choosing.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 18 February 2016 - 12:00
The only salon I found offer consistency is Ted Morgan in Motorcity, never heard a bad experience from there. I had the best cuts and colour there, but I am not fond of the location, so sometimes go other places. Their prices are on the high end as you would expect from good hairdressers, but still I pay less than Pastels and Hairworks for example that I find mediocre (although both chains have some good stylists, but they don't have the consistency as TM where I know I can book any stylist and get good result).
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 17 February 2016 - 09:23
Hi ladies! I am a 25 years old Portuguese woman and I have recently got an offer from an Hotel to do a 6 months internship in Dubai. They will provide food (during my working hours), lodging and a 500AED monthly compensation. How much should I expect to spend monthly for someone who's not thinking about living in large but having a medium quality lifestyle ? Thank you for your time That's ridiculously low, I assume no one would work for that in Portugal either.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 February 2016 - 19:25
Nothing, it's the shops responsibility.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 February 2016 - 18:41
In Dubai it's beef, says on their packages in the freezer. I think the ones they sell her are made in Saudi or something, definitely different recipes for different regions, as they need to be halal in Muslim countries, Ikea wouldn't be aloud to sell pork either.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 February 2016 - 07:37
At that age they are probably happy to just spend time outdoors playing on the beach, parks or the pool. Little Explorers in Mirdif is good and splash play in JBR. Lost Chambers in Atlantis and even Aquaventure.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 February 2016 - 07:25
We have been faced with similar opportunity. In the end we decided to stay, as we are happy here and didn't want to disrupt our children's schooling more than necessary. If your child hasn't started school yet it might be a good time to move. Depending on area in the UK you might also want to consider private school which will add on your outgoings. Where in the UK would you move? The difference in cost between London or a suburb to Birmingham would be huge? And the weather would be a factor...
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 12 February 2016 - 07:26
My Filpino maid doesn't want to do dishes after ironing or even cooking anything. Saying that it can make her hands "shaky". How on earth it is possible to give her half an hour to relax every time she does cooking or do ironing before laundry or dish washing. I am not aware of any such illness neither believe in it. I do cooking and dish washing side by side... OrWashing hands right after ironing cloths. She is so persistent about it that I had to come here and ask if it's true? Our previous maid said something similar as well. She said if you iron then work with water you will get sick, I assume cooking is similar because it involves heat. Just let her do all the ironing at night before she goes to bed, and have her lunch right after cooking. Clever!
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 11 February 2016 - 07:08
We lived in Umm Suquiem for years, choose it mainly because of the location. We loved being close to the beach, Dubai Mall and Mal of Emirates were nearby too. We never had any security scares, but we lived close to locals, so I think that might have helped. We missed community feel there though, as our neighbours weren't to be seen outside their walls and our children always had to travel for play dates which were a pain. If safety is your main concern, there are security systems you can buy from places like Dragonmart that doesn't cost a bomb. Good luck and hope you find your perfect house!
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 February 2016 - 07:55
Definitely the downturn has started, rent and house prices are drop. Paycuts and people getting laid off. There are still jobs out there, but the competition is getting harder. Good luck with your move I'm definitely worried as we were going through the last downturn in Dubai, the experts don't think it will be as bad as last time....we will see. I hope you're right :) I'm no expert at all, not even in the slightest, but do have a question out of interest. Wasn't the last downturn, the Dubai specific part, rather a perfect storm of factors specific to this area? And the current situation is more about the oil price world wide rather than a basket of factors? I am certainly no expert ??? All I know is that oil and gas are strongly affected, but even businesses like construction are slowing down.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 10 February 2016 - 06:16
Definitely the downturn has started, rent and house prices are drop. Paycuts and people getting laid off. There are still jobs out there, but the competition is getting harder. Good luck with your move I'm definitely worried as we were going through the last downturn in Dubai, the experts don't think it will be as bad as last time....we will see.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 19:47
You mean that dodgy Safa school in Al Quoz? It doesn't look very nice? I thought there was a nice Safa school somewhere near Meydan? This one: http://safaschooldubai.com/contact-us/ not Safa Private School in Al Quoz which is different. The "nice" Safa School is on Umm Suquiem road. If a school doesn't have a shiny facade, doesn't make it dodgy and such an unfair thing to write about someones business, this is what some people will find as information googling that school.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 19:17
Sorry, but why should the school give you a discount when so many of us are struggling ? Best advise is to move to a cheaper school or consider returning to your home country.. sorry, hope you can find a solution..by all means ask the school...those who don't ask don't get !! lol I somehow agree, been going through hardship in Dubai before and had to downsize in more ways than one, there will be people out there sending their children to a way cheaper school and it seems unfair for someone to get a discount on a better school.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 14:42
If its a blow the budget occasion I would go for At.mosphere. Great food at Zuma, although a bit too posey for me. Nobu feels a bit cosier and has excellent food too.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 14:37
Safa Private School is in Al Quoz, 5 minutes from the Meydan.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 09 February 2016 - 14:35
I know some schools lets you pay the fee monthly, that might help a bit.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2016 - 19:41
You can pay it at RTA or when you do your yearly renewal.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2016 - 16:20
Yeah, I heard recently that the Mirdiff Villa's prices have gone down. Does anyone know if it's true? Either way, you could check them out they're pretty good for a family of 3-4, and you can find different ones that are smaller or more spacious :) (3 right?) Also, Sharjah and Nad Al Shiba are pretty far from each other but not to worry because there are plenty of highways here you could use which completely reduce the time spent on road! Please share those highways that reduce time spent on roads to Sharjah? The only ones I know are mostly completely jammed.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2016 - 15:09
Mirdif, Deira or even Sharjah would be good depending on location of the school. Why have you choosen a school in Sharjah if you want to be based in Dubai? Silicon Oasis would be pretty far for a school run in Sharjah, minimum 40 min each way.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 06 February 2016 - 13:36
hi I am new in Dubai. Is any of these places in downtown? I tried Carluccio. Not impressed at all. I would not called it even Italian (but that is my personal opinion). Very confused about GF. I did not try Freedom Pizza which shall be somewhere near difc area. PLEASE HELP !!! (does any of these have VEGAN OPTION too??) If you don't class Carluccios as an Italian, doubt you will class Freedom pizza as pizza.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 February 2016 - 18:50
It was a prank call; happened to the school I went to as well and turned out to be one of the students.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 05 February 2016 - 08:47
Rawla gave very good advice. If your new maid doesn't seem happy with the arrangements, I would reconsider employing her, as the "husband " might be a problem. Generally it's fine maids got husbands as obviously they are not immune to love, but it sounds a bit demanding that the husband wants to spend time with her on his days off, if she's scheduled to work you don't have to allow him to be with her.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 04 February 2016 - 08:09
Sorry to state the obvious, in Australia you pay extremely high tax to cover those good free schools. A reasonable school is one that after we paid the school fee; we still have more money left in our bank account than back home sending our kids to the "free" school. If you have a school that you can walk to where you live, I would definitely consider it, the amount of time many here in Dubai spend in traffic is ridiculous.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 03 February 2016 - 19:32
Well I had this experience just yesterday at the Oud metha fuel station. A couple with 2 kids (an infant girl and son maybe 5) told me they had their money stolen etc and I could help them, they have come from muscat. I know of this scam very well and again a family in a tahoe having no means of getting cash seems extremely unbelievable. Anyway, I said "In what way do you expect me to help you?" and the father said "if you can just help with some food and milk for the kids" and pointed at the zoom. I was reluctant to handover cash so I agreed to buy milk and some food. The wife came to the store with me and picked up a shopping basket, idk if she expected me to buy her a week's grocery, and the boy started filling it with freshly cut fruits and chocolates. I went on the other side, picked a 1L bottle of fresh milk and a box of digestives and said "this is all I can get you". The mother kept asking if I could buy chocolates etc but I stood firm. Anyway, I bought it and handed it over to the boy. I clearly know this is a scam because Ive heard it all before and even before I walked out after paying the mother walked back to the refrigerators for purchasing more supplies by herself. It was quite obvious that they are quite seasoned in doing this, but I'm quite surprised that people with kids of impressionable age and parents that can afford to own/rent a tahoe resort to begging like that. I'm not only disgusted, I'm also confused as to if i did a good thing for letting the kids have some food inspite of knowing this is a common scam or if im so foolish that im that vulnerable to emotions. :confused: What kind of values are those children getting from their parents? Yes definitely a scam...
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 19:38
I am not a matchy person either, but can see it would appeal to some. What is it with some parents dressing their children in Ralph Lauren only? You have three siblings and the dad wearing the same polo shirt, it's kind of the same concept.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 18:12
Don't we already have it? The Ralph Lauren, traditional, jeans and tshirt and the list goes on. I think you will have to clarify what kind of clothes that are going to match. I mean when Mom & Daughter are dressed the same way - the clothes are made of the same material & in matching design or some similar accessories. It looks very sweet and cute. Can be used for everyday life or some occasions: like family photo shoots, birthdays, etc... I think you would have to show some samples, if the quality design and look is Dragonmart standards or is it hot couture. It's just too broad, wear a matching dress and a necklace, which I guess most mums and daughters do at some point even if its not intentionally. Saying that, it's Dubai and if something is popular somewhere else there will probably be people liking it over here as it's so diverse.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 17:18
Pick the closest one.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 17:17
Don't we already have it? The Ralph Lauren, traditional, jeans and tshirt and the list goes on. I think you will have to clarify what kind of clothes that are going to match.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 13:36
It used to be Cyprus for years, why do they think Tunisia is a good stop? If the tourists stop coming to Tunisia, aeroplanes might be easy target. It would be a no from me, but I am very safety conscious.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 01 February 2016 - 13:08
I agree with the posters that being mistaken for being the maid was probably not as bad as the way the OP was spoken to when the teacher thought she was the maid. If I was lectured by a teacher at school "to do my job properly" for what sounds like a one off occurrence, which let's face it can happen to the best of us, knowing Dubai traffic. And the people that suggest that the OP lighten up or shrug it off....I wonder how they would have felt after a stressful day, or for some reason wouldn't ever really be in the same situation. I have been mistaken for being my childrens nanny when they were young and we were new in Dubai. I am European so found it quite funny, but don't think it's the same scenario the OP experienced.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 31 January 2016 - 17:59
Well done for complaining. It's sad when people speak in a different manner when they think they are talking to "the help".
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 29 January 2016 - 07:34
Gems Motorcity, Safa Community school and Kings Al Barsha, Foremark, Gems Bradenton in Sports City, Nord Anglia and Gems in the villa community are all within reasonable driving distance. Jumeirah is far from SC.
Silvstet
767
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 28 January 2016 - 20:24
It's technically not legal, but people do it and as long as you are sharing with someone responsible, it shouldn't be a problem. I guess the rule is in place, because their used to be 10 bachelors sharing a 1 bedroom apartment.... People have visitors etc in hired accommodation, use common sense that's all.
 
 
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