xN | ExpatWoman.com
 

xN

xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 October 2014 - 14:44
I am also using Dubai Housekeeping. I am content with the quality of customer service they are providing to me actually. The responsible person named Param, really tries to understand your needs. Easy to communicate and schedule.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 October 2014 - 22:20
mrs13b, welcome and hope you'll have a great stay here. Yesterday I've just thrown the latest move-in-box out of my apartment, 2 months before we were just in your place. Our to do list was like a never ending story, now we have only 2-3 things left to do, in terms of settling down. Wish you the same ease that we've had during your move in! See you in the coffee mornings.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 October 2014 - 22:12
Hi, May be a bit late reply to philosophie but never late to give feedback: I've also used Jim Will Fix It yesterday, the men they have sent were really good for the maintenance issues that I asked for: They've hanged the lamps to ceilings, fixed 2 TV units to the walls, fixed some more furniture to walls and implied 10 m of cable raceway to the floor. DH was amazed when he saw the finishings of the cable raceway, it is covering every single turn and edge.. In the end, they did their bests to squeeze 2 frame hanging to the wall to their last 5 min. remaining. To sum up, nothing needed to be done twice, they found some creative solutions for some fixing problems, totally above my expectation after all those silly people who can't event communicate with me asking for a fortune to be paid. I know some of you might have bad experiences about this company, but mine was quite good. You know how much they will charge you per hour and they seemed good at their jobs, corporate, simple as that.. Names of the guys: Alan and Bobby. <em>edited by xN on 27/10/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 October 2014 - 16:10
Hi Njj, I've just moved to Dubai from Istanbul and I can answer what ever you are wondering about Turkey. Sorry for my late reply, I've been a bit busy with move in operations here:) Cost of living: Depends on what you are looking for ofcourse. For the prices that you're giving as an annually rent here you can buy an appartment in Turkey:) We're also LL in Istanbul, we kept our life sytle here similiar to Istanbul, the rent we're paying here is triple more for our appartment in Istanbul. Rents:You are paying the rents monthly. Petrol: Petrol is 3 times expensive in Turkey comparing to Dubai. Schools: Depends on where you wanna live. We have good international schools in Turkey too but very few. General shopping: %10 cheaper than Dubai Cars: 2-3 times expensive than Dubai. Housemaids: My friends started to get ladies from Phlipines as well, it is possible and more or less the same price here in Dubai. I would recommend you to proceed like this other wise it will be hard for you to communicate with your helper as they are really local people. Living location suggestion: Depends on where you work, it is really really important! We used to live in Gokturk, and we loved it! Security: Not as secure as Dubai, but again depends on where you live. Actually we can set everything up together if we can meet. I'm a regular of EW Emirates Golf Club meetings, even I'll be there this evening and tomorrow morning. Ask me to Helga as xN:) she knows me:) Istanbul is a really unique city, now I thought about my past life and felt how much I missed it. I do really enjoy living here in Dubai, but Istanbul, is another thing. Hope you'll have that much great time there and understand what I mean.. <em>edited by xN on 15/10/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2014 - 00:18
Giving feedback: traditional story, if you want someone to do your job, you should show yourself how you want it to be done. This is how we are working with Dubai Housekeeping. It is always better if you can stay with the maid. She comes on time, leaves on time, professional and friendly, puts efford to understand what I want.. Not better than what I used to have back in my country but comparing to other agency stories, mine is going on well.. FYI ;)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 October 2014 - 10:03
Hi I have been here since thursday and having trouble finding realtors who will keep appointments!! anyone please recommend a good realtor to try and view some properties. we are not sure where to live downtown or palm and want to see both options. HELP please Hi Delgirl, We've just rented our apartment in the Palm and we love it. There is one agent I can suggest without hesitation, his name is Alex from PowerProperties. I don't know about the company but Alex is really a good person, he helped us a lot even when we were about to sign the contract with another agent. The agent we've used is from Bridging Continents, her name is Moya. I wouldn't really recommend her just because of her general arrogant attitude. She is always like " I am choosing my customers" , "It is me who decides to work or not"..etc anyway at least she won't take your money and disappear, as she already has a high life standard.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 19:14
Beebers, I'm also waiting for a confirmation for the same date from Dubai Housekeeping:) lol I'm talking with Param, he sounded a like a logical person, totally above my expectations comparing to other agencies. I'm planning to use them on the 1st of October for move in cleaning, hope they'll do a good job. And yes, finding a maids service takes time.. Welp, you can't have 1:30-3:30, sorry ;) No seriously-- hope they can fit you in. Param is who I spoke to as well. He was helpful and competent. Let's cross our fingers the entire operation follows suit. This will be the first time I'll have had my home cleaned by someone else, and if it goes well, I might make it a permanent thing. I was waiting from 10 to 14, he confirmed from 09:30 to 13:30 :) This is the first agency that I'm trying as well, as this is my first home in Dubai:) but I think I did a good search before. Hope it will all go well for us, I'll let you know how mine went;)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 18:13
LOL not so fast...Dubai Housekeeping just called me back, they can fit us in Thrs. Weeee! Would you believe I have never hired a cleaning service. Giddy right now. That's a good idea, Izzy, and if I don't get a call back from the window people, I will ask Mr. Beebers (working from his cozy home office) to talk to the security guys. edited by Beebers on 29/09/2014 Beebers, I'm also waiting for a confirmation for the same date from Dubai Housekeeping:) lol I'm talking with Param, he sounded a like a logical person, totally above my expectations comparing to other agencies. I'm planning to use them on the 1st of October for move in cleaning, hope they'll do a good job. And yes, finding a maids service takes time..
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 18:04
I've worked with them for several visits recently, never received such a message for a missed call. Plus, S&K looked one of the most professional real estate agency among dozens that I've met. Thought an e-mail to S&K general mailbox like an info@.... would work? May be they have a good opportunity to share with you;) Sorry, Xn///they are extremely bad and I know people who have worked there too and bad mouth them all over Dubai.... Now I understand all those thumb downs to my reply. I was about to take it personal, then seen all those negative feedbacks about S&K added your comment above on top, now it makes sense.. If the majority says so, I'm just an exception then;)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 September 2014 - 03:04
I've worked with them for several visits recently, never received such a message for a missed call. Plus, S&K looked one of the most professional real estate agency among dozens that I've met. Thought an e-mail to S&K general mailbox like an info@.... would work? May be they have a good opportunity to share with you;)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 September 2014 - 23:52
Hi dubeye, I've seen some options just this evening at MOE, I realy can't recall the name of the store really. It is kind of a game/ gift store where you can see interesting objects.. When you see the store you will understand what I'm saying, it is so different and a bit dark inside. They have lava lamps for 99 AED and they have a sale for those if you buy 2 you'll pay 150 AED as per the sales lady said to us. Checked the web site of MOE for you, not sure but the name of the store can be Tarsam. <em>edited by xN on 24/09/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 September 2014 - 10:56
Felt strange when I see this old post! Actually I was looking for maids suggestions then I see the subjet and couldn't hold my hand not to click and read it. I thought I was thinking too much about these toilet issues. My DH always says that I'm obsessed with it -in a part he is right:)- . But seeing myself not alone, in a country that I am an expat..it is relaxing and funnny:)) Here's the situation in my country nobody mentioned as far as I've seen among the posts: We've Toilet Hosepipes too, smaller ones, but it is located -like a bidet- right on your back under the part you use to sit on. Arghhh I wish I could draw this one! Anyway, there's a tap valve near the toilet, the only thing you can do with it is to turn it on and off it. So there's no disgusting wet floor cause it is totally stable and targeted:) I can't discuss with one is more hygenic, everyone has their own habbits..But I'm much more relaxed with the ones in my country. I have the same idea about how bad it could be the ones here in Dubai. People are using it like a fire truck hose! Which gets me not using public toilets, unless I can't stand..For domestic usage I find it OK, at least there is water close to me, that is important:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 September 2014 - 13:14
Last Feb we've used Viator and really liked it! Lucky us, we had the most crazy driver in the group, had fun al lot! The cars were really clean and safe. Dinner was average but wasn't expecting an a la carte one:) Pick up was just on time.. It was soooo smooth and neat..
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 September 2014 - 14:58
Hi FD, thank you for sharing your experience and the name of your Dr. I don't have anything suspicious for the moment but I'll go and check, just in case. P.S.: See this is what we call "waking people up":) Personally, with your post you've created awareness on me and that makes a difference.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 09:45
Thanks for all of your comments.. We'll talk with the LL today and tell them we're refusing their conditions.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 09:42
Beebers, mrsb., norak... Thank you so much for your time you spent on helping me! Will condsider all of them. :) Feeling more confident about this visa run subject, thanks to you ladies..
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 September 2014 - 00:07
Hi ladies, Read all the things you've shared but still have some questions as this is going to be my 1st time, so I really want to have some basic instructions.. Sorry upfront if I cause any double-work or any shock you may face for the simplicity/ stupidity of my questions : I'm planning to do a visa run (touristic) via Hatta entry and my visa will expire in 29 Sept +When do you think should I apply for a visa run latest? +For how long more they will extend my visa, 30 days again? +Is there any working hours limitation for this process? +Should my sponsor be with me during this procedure or can I do it myself? Am I getting these correct? +I'll just drive to Hatta and reach to the border. +It takes 4-5 hours to drive one way. +I don't need to get a visa for Oman from Dubai before the travel as they just do it in the border. But when I arrive to Hatta I'll still be in UAE, so how can I cross the border to Oman, if I don't have any visa? Anyway, no questionning :) I take the Oman entry visa from Wajaja(Oman) right? +Then I exit Oman and come back to Hatta. Coming back to Hatta, they'll stamp my passport at the Arrivals section and this will be my 2nd touristic visa? +They work 7 days of the week.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 22:50
Totally what I was asking myself, you've answered them all.. What happens in case of a decrease in rentals and let's say that flat becomes 150 K AED worth? Also RERA sayes that LL can't increase the rental fee in the 2nd year.. What happens if we need to move from Dubai after 2 years? .. etc..So many loophole in this agreement I guess. But what do you think about the price by the way? Rental contracts are for one year only. I don't know where your landlord is coming from with quoting rents for the second and third years in advance! Is he asking you to sign a lease for three years!? Do you even know you'll be in Dubai then? As those of us who lived here through the last property crash, which was not that long ago, rents can very easily collapse in a year. All rental contracts are subject to RERA regulations and the laws of Dubai. Rental increases can only be in accordance to the RERA approved increase rates for your area (unless you privately agree with the landlord, but in reality you have the upper hand as the landlord cannot force you to accept a rent increase greater than what's allowed by the rental calculator). I don't think RERA would recognize the contract proposed by the landlord as legal and valid. They will only recognize the upcoming first year. Any renewal beyond that will be in accordance to the parameters established by RERA, and allowable rental increases in accordance to the RERA calculator. Allright, so I've 1 more question about Greens: Potential home to be is 2100 sqft, 3 bed and an area called study-not a real room actually-2bathroom+1powder room, 5th floor, very well maintained cause LL is living inside himself. LL offered to shake hands on 190 K 3 cq 1st year, 200 K 3 cq 2nd year, 200K 3cq 3rd year and will negotiate for 4th year when that day comes. Do you think that this is a good deal or can you help me understand if you compare others you know. As per my knowledge rentals are xK AED for the first 2 years and then the increase may come in accordance with the market value. But we have this strange offer, is it good or bad? edited by Tallybalt on 14/09/2014
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 22:01
Allright, so I've 1 more question about Greens: Potential home to be is 2100 sqft, 3 bed and an area called study-not a real room actually-2bathroom+1powder room, 5th floor, very well maintained cause LL is living inside himself. LL offered to shake hands on 190 K 3 cq 1st year, 200 K 3 cq 2nd year, 200K 3cq 3rd year and will negotiate for 4th year when that day comes. Do you think that this is a good deal or can you help me understand if you compare others you know. As per my knowledge rentals are xK AED for the first 2 years and then the increase may come in accordance with the market value. But we have this strange offer, is it good or bad?
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 10:39
Great to hear that sarahlou123. Especially the ice cream shop:))) What about the security? I know that it is not an issue in Dubai but for the potential home of ours we're planning to rent at Greens -low rise ones-, there is no security service, someone who would like to help a stranger may buzz the door from inside and you can get in?!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 September 2014 - 10:03
Hi everyone, I'm also talkin' to some other ladies face to face about Greens and Palm. From what they say, adding your comments on the top it, what I understand is, there are really few lucky people living in Palm without any noise or unexpected cost problems. Greens seems much more predictable from that point of view. Thank you so much ladies!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2014 - 13:45
Tallybalt thank you so much for your inputs and your time that you spent to give me all these details! Our heart beats for Palm but the same heart is telling us that something may go wrong with this place..Didn't know what it was actually but now it is getting clear.. We have an aim of saving some money by coming to Dubai and we're too new here. Especially for these first years any unexpected major cost will worry us a lot! From this point, the information that you are sharing with us is really priceless!!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2014 - 13:17
Thank you Silvstet! This is my point as well, but seems like Greens would be a safer start with all predictable expenses comparing to Palm Jumeirah.. On the other hand Palm Jumeirah is more for our lifestyle. Any other comments? Would love to hear a lot more different perspectives! <em>edited by xN on 13/09/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 September 2014 - 11:55
Hi everyone, DH and me, we've been undecided about where to rent our new home sweet home since a week today. We've seen several communities and find Greens and the Palm Jumeirah as the most convenient places for us. We're so tired of being in such an hesitation condition so I told DH that I'm going to make a canvass for votes @EW. Here's the question: Which community would you suggest as the first home in Dubai to a young couple, planning to have babies here-no pregnancy for the moment-.? The Greens, low rise bulildings or the Palm Shoreline Apartments? More clues: We're newbees who enjoy sporty and fancy life style, both drivers and husband works at Internet City. Thank you so much for your input! edited by xN on 13/09/2014 <em>edited by xN on 13/09/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2014 - 17:41
I know this is an old post but instead of opening a new thread I thought it would be better to continue over this one. Diamondlease, can be the cheapest but cars are really not well maintained & cleaned. I've changed 3 cars with them, 1st one gave a break alert in the middle of highway, 2nd given as a replacement of 1st was so dirty and smelly that I couldn't stand to drive it just a day. 3rd given as a replacement of 2nd, started to give a noise from the breaks.. Everytime I call them I complaint about how dirty cars they are providing. Then the 1st car came back from maintenance, no break alert but still dirty inside! Customer services are really trying to help you but they don't try to understand you. They just listen you to answer not to understand and then answer. This could be a general problem about Dubai but Diamondlease got a really speacial place in my mind! :)Maybe these are all happening just because I'm too much sensitive about cleanness, but if you're looking for an effordable + well maintained car I would not recommend Diamondlease. Now we're in an infinite happy (!) loop with Diamonlease, they will get the 1st car -2nd time- to clean and give me another replacement car:) And these all happened in 11 days.. <em>edited by xN on 11/09/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 September 2014 - 14:43
Those were really helpfull ladies! Thank you so much!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 15:26
This is the thread I saw. Will it help http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/topic207616-palm-district-cooling.aspx That was helpfull Sarahlou, thank you!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 15:03
There are no self serve laundrettes in Dubai. There are lots of laundries who will collect and deliver your clothes. What are are you in? Thanks Izzy, I'm at Media City.. If you're saying that there's no self serve laundrettes, can you suggest any good laundries that can be cheaper than the hotel's? I can google also but I'd felt better if I have one with a reference.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 14:54
If you use the search post above and input shoreline there is something about palm district cooling on the different threads I did actually but couldn't find something really actual as most of the costs are changing increasingly here. Anyway, thanks Saralou, will double check to see if you say so.. <em>edited by xN on 10/09/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 10 September 2014 - 14:52
We're staying in a Hotel, will be staying 3 more weeks and I need a cheaper way to wash some of our laundries -simple clothes like shirts, underwears, socks..etc-, can you suggest any? Like the ones I can wash&dry it myself or some laundry company giving such a service for cheaper price in case of a bulk purchase.. Or is it common here, I don't even know.. Thank you! xN
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 August 2014 - 17:48
Daza, thank you! This is good news:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 August 2014 - 13:12
Thanks everyone for your replies, all of them really precious. I'm coming from Turkey and private hospital conditions are really great here, especially in terms of services. The quality of maternity services you've mentioned in Dubai is a natural thing in the private hospitals of my country. I don't have any citizenship reasons as giving birth in Dubai will not effect the nationality of the baby. As you see, I don't have any special circumstances but being able to choose c-section in my home country. So here I am, considering all of your inputs, feeling close to be in my own house at Dubai. Because for the other option, it will take more or less 2-2,5 months of pre-natal, natal and post-natal period staying in a home set up which is not mine. Additionally I can't even empathize with myself about how I will feel during those most sensitive periods. Maybe I just need to work on natural birth to feel comfortable with it. Guess I have just thought out loud with you girls:) feels good:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 August 2014 - 15:12
Hi, Read some old posts but still need more specific details about baby delivery options in Dubai. Thing is: I'm not yet pregnant but planning to be and trying to figure out if I should do it back in my country or do you think Dubai is OK? Surely, you can't know what will happen during that period but at least I'd like to have an opinion so that may be I drop the idea of having two pregnancy insurances, travelling while pregnant..etc How is the general approach of hospitals in Dubai? What about C-Section? Is C-Section upon choice or do they use it in case the natural way won't help? Also if you have any hospital and doctor suggestions, it would be really helpful.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 15:52
I've heard stories of P!glet getting scribbled out of Winnie the Pooh books but have never met anyone who has had this happen to them...I think there are a lot of urban myths..I think as long as there's nothing overtly objectionable you'll be ok... When we moved, not only were we subjected to a shedload of urban myths, but our relocation company over-egged the pudding by informing us that even bibles and Christian films etc were verboten. Absolute poppycock. It may well depend on the customs officer checking one's shipment, but we brought a huge amount by 'day plane' and the remainder via the snail version, but absolutely everything came through. Thanks to advice from EW'ers at the time, we decided to err on the side of relaxation rather than panic. Absolutely nothing from either shipment was questioned or removed, and that included random garden Buddhas, a Torah, all my AA Milne books (featuring P!glet!), a healthy selection of R-rated DVDs/CDs (which were all in their own boxes, not in CD/DVD booklets) -- including several from the LGBTQI genre -- various art books (including a stunning coffee table book by Robert Mapplethorpe), more than a few framed photographs featuring n*u*d*e*s ... everything came through. I'd be more concerned about a random jar of food being forgotten and shipped out with the crockery than the allegedly 'dodgy' stuff. But that's just me. And our bibles and other religious ephemera sailed through too. :) thanks for the tip LadyBee, I was planning to keep all the foods out of the boxes but now I'll be more careful:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 15:50
I packed a lot of our DVD's in those wallets with lots of pockets to save space... I've heard stories of P!glet getting scribbled out of Winnie the Pooh books but have never met anyone who has had this happen to them...I think there are a lot of urban myths..I think as long as there's nothing overtly objectionable you'll be ok... We got stopped coming in because we had a playstation in one of the cases and the xray man didn't know what it was..we had to unpack the whole case and as soon as we showed him and explained he was fine..But he was very polite and courteous about it... Would just like to remind anyone shipping stuff the old thing about not packing candles or anything heat sensitive - no idea how long your stuff will sit on the dock side in summer temperatures.... This old thing about not packing candles was something I didn't think of as I'm not used to 50 degrees of heat. Heat sensitive stuff, I could've remember, but candles no.. I've a bunch of candles that I have to give as a gift now:)Thank you.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 15:35
Dear xN, We're so sorry about your phobia- we all know they can be hard to overcome and completely irrational but hard to control. If you're looking to live in a villa you can get good pest control services to come and spray for bugs on a regular basis and they can also do outside as well so you can have a pest control barrier around your villa too. The cleaner you keep your villa the better too... you can have more control than in an apartment where you are reliant on your neighbours being clean too. Sometimes when you first move in to somewhere there can be bugs if it has been left unoccupied for some time- these would normally be in the kitchen or maybe bathrooms. A good dose of pest control from a company and yourself and they will be gone never to return. You could get them to do your villa before you even move in for your peace of mind and get a cleaning service to do a deep clean of the villa too. You don't normally see bugs when out and about in the newer areas of Dubai, so it's not something you need to be on look out for all day every day you'll be pleased to hear. Bugs that are in Dubai so you can prepare yourself mentally... not saying you are going to come across these but just so you know... 1. cockroaches- in dirty/ unoccupied areas but still quite rare to see out and about 2. flies- annoying ones! Keep your fly screens across open doors and windows 3. mosquitoes- in areas with water- there never used to be any but more now 4. Ants- they come in to houses for food crumbs- so keep a clean house and you'll be fine Here's our section about pest control to maybe help you learn how the pests can be got ridden of http://www.expatwoman.com/dubai/monthly_Pest_Control.aspx Maybe do get some counselling, or do some research on the net on overcoming phobias and maybe trying to take control of the situation in advance may help you relax a bit as well. HTH EW Admin Dear Admin, This was totally helpful and the different perspective of not being able to control the cleanness of your neighbours in an apartment is just a great tip! Thank you!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 15:23
Well, I don't have a maid in my home for the moment but in the near future I'm sure I'll. We've been working weekly with Hacer (her name is) more than 5 years, she is totally a part of the family and in the beginning she was a stranger to us, too. From her shoes we were strangers as well. She is my dear helper and I told her from the beginning that in this home all the housework was being taken care of by 2 women, her and me. We shared responsibilities. Luckily, she was a good person and we worked together great! When I have a maid, I'm planning to keep the same approach to that person as well. Yes there's an employment relation between us, but we'll be sharing our home and hoping to end up in a mutual good relationship. More than that, we'll be sharing the same boat with her which is UAE and it's regulations. In this case, if I'm wearing moderate stuff and avoiding any misunderstanding against the rules of UAE, I'd expect the same from her, even in her free times because we'll be sharing the same shell. This is the rule of UAE to work & live together, not mine. If I again be lucky, I'll be falling to another good person. Caring about the safety of the persons, especially the ones that you're in a close relationship, is a part of being a good person -I think- . This includes being cautious. If I am not that lucky, I'd tell her that we can't live & work safely together and let her go her way. Sometimes the choices of other people are not your choices. Sorry for the novel:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 14:35
Oh Crrrreeeeeepppppppppy crawlies, oh yes once a year you may see an ant or even a roach! Suggest you come armed with a baseball bat and practice your self defense techniques just in case you come across a poor little defenseless resident. Thing is, human brain is really strange and can came up with behaviours that someone can't give a meaning, while the other may understand. Fear is a natural emotion regardless of what you're afraid of. What I'm looking for is to get some help from people who has already experienced what I'm about to experience, but without judging. sorry but judging is what some EW members do best :( I'm experiencing I guess.. But not a problem, I'm not judging anyone:)))
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 14:33
OP.................I don't know where your home country is, but I can promise you that there are no more nasties in Dubai than wherever you come from. No more and no less, little critturs of many types are all around us, and I wonder why this has suddenly become a deal breaker for Dubai. It sounds to me as though you are unable to express your lack of confidence about moving to an unfamiliar territory and are dressing it up in something you feel more comfortable about voicing. Rather than stressing about the potential for encountering rats or cockroaches you need to ask yourself why you don't feel as threatened at home, and then identify why you are so anxious about leaving. Actually the climate of where I'm living now is not so hot and this reduces the possibility of seeing a bug, nasty.. etc. But somehow you let me discover another thing: my mind is totally clear about moving to Dubai, my heart as well. But there is always a resistance against change to keep the status quo as it is. Most probably this was the voice of my primitive instinct! Livelytrish, this was more than helpful. Thank you! <em>edited by xN on 23/07/2014</em>
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 23 July 2014 - 14:23
Oh Crrrreeeeeepppppppppy crawlies, oh yes once a year you may see an ant or even a roach! Suggest you come armed with a baseball bat and practice your self defense techniques just in case you come across a poor little defenseless resident. Thing is, human brain is really strange and can came up with behaviours that someone can't give a meaning, while the other may understand. Fear is a natural emotion regardless of what you're afraid of. What I'm looking for is to get some help from people who has already experienced what I'm about to experience, but without judging.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 13:01
ideally you should live in a high rise apartment block in a well developed (but new building)... have a look at some of the apartments in Dubai Marina or JBR... they are likely to be bug free and have relatively good maintenance contracts by no means should you move into a villa... coz then creepy crawlies are guaranteed! I was planning to move into a villa. I would accept at some point that it is in nature and can see some litre spiders but "creepy crawlies"? This is what I'm mostly scared of. What do you do i. e. when you see one? Ant I leave it alone Gecko I pick them up and put them out Roach only ever saw one and it wasn't in my house I live on the ground floor and the only thing I see are birds Ant I'm fine Gecko I can manage Roach can also be seen here in where I live, but if you leave food around. And I'm so careful about cleanness. If you say that you've seen just one, I hope I'll be fine with my living habitudes. What about rats? Please don't mention? Are there? --blood pressure is going down-- I have never seen one and I live near a lake This is also great news! Thank you..
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 13:00
Never seen a bug here. Odd now I think of it. But never seen one. You will be fine. edited by Londiamond on 22/07/2014 Thank you Londiamond! So much!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:59
The first thing you need to do before you move into a villa is make sure the landlord/agent has got a pest control company in to do a thorough sweep of the empty place, inside and out. They stick brown gummy stuff in places, particularly in the kitchen, and this gets rid of cockroaches, which are the main "bugs" you are likely to get. They say you should get pest control in every three months, but ours has lasted for two years. The pests don't go immediately, it can take a couple of weeks before they all disappear, if there is an infestation. Oddly, the worst place in our house was the hinge part of the dishwasher door, where they laid eggs because of the wet and warm environment, I think! Now we take special care to make sure that hinge is always cleaned out, we haven't seen any for a couple of years, as I said! Good luck, our little geckos are lovely and eat other bugs! Thank you simpleasabc, now I know what to do while moving. Guess I'll get used to Geckos. :)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:56
I can sympathise - I have a terrible spider phobia !! Thankfully I have seen a spider once in over 4 years in Dubai whereas I've been home in the UK for 3 weeks now and have seen 4 big ones and numerous small ones... ugh !! We occasionally get the odd cockroach but a good dose of PifPaf (trade name of the most common insect spray here) and it's gone.. plus ants in the kitchen sometimes. That's it. Don't know if geckos count but we do get quite a few which is good because they keep all the mozzies and flies down..plus they're cute :) If it upsets you then please stop reading forums..most people only post the bad stuff - no point spreading nice things, no-one's interested !! lol Before we moved here I found an Arabian Ranches community website and people were going on about redback spiders hiding in the garden... I have never seen one, nor do I know anyone else who has !! lol (not saying they're not here but they really are unusual). I'm sure you'll be fine, good luck. Doubting Thomas thank you so much for understanding and sharing this with me. I'm just panicked and trying to learn.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:53
Wait till you see the driving standards here. An ant will be the least of your worries ;-) I'm coming from Istanbul and driving all the day in the traffic to various parts of it. Believe me, driving standards of Dubai can't scare me:)
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:53
ideally you should live in a high rise apartment block in a well developed (but new building)... have a look at some of the apartments in Dubai Marina or JBR... they are likely to be bug free and have relatively good maintenance contracts by no means should you move into a villa... coz then creepy crawlies are guaranteed! I was planning to move into a villa. I would accept at some point that it is in nature and can see some litre spiders but "creepy crawlies"? This is what I'm mostly scared of. What do you do i. e. when you see one? Ant I leave it alone Gecko I pick them up and put them out Roach only ever saw one and it wasn't in my house I live on the ground floor and the only thing I see are birds Ant I'm fine Gecko I can manage Roach can also be seen here in where I live, but if you leave food around. And I'm so careful about cleanness. If you say that you've seen just one, I hope I'll be fine with my living habitudes. What about rats? Please don't mention? Are there? --blood pressure is going down--
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:51
ideally you should live in a high rise apartment block in a well developed (but new building)... have a look at some of the apartments in Dubai Marina or JBR... they are likely to be bug free and have relatively good maintenance contracts by no means should you move into a villa... coz then creepy crawlies are guaranteed! I was planning to move into a villa. I would accept at some point that it is in nature and can see some litre spiders but "creepy crawlies"? This is what I'm mostly scared of. What do you do i. e. when you see one? Define creepy crawly as they aren't many here. Hand size big ones? I know I may sound really bizarre but this is really a problem for me.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:49
ideally you should live in a high rise apartment block in a well developed (but new building)... have a look at some of the apartments in Dubai Marina or JBR... they are likely to be bug free and have relatively good maintenance contracts by no means should you move into a villa... coz then creepy crawlies are guaranteed! I was planning to move into a villa. I would accept at some point that it is in nature and can see some litre spiders but "creepy crawlies"? This is what I'm mostly scared of. What do you do i. e. when you see one? Ant I leave it alone Gecko I pick them up and put them out Roach only ever saw one and it wasn't in my house I live on the ground floor and the only thing I see are birds Ant I'm fine Gecko I can manage Roach can also be seen here in where I live, but if you leave food around. And I'm so careful about cleanness. If you say that you've seen just one, I hope I'll be fine with my living habitudes.
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:45
lol I just got eaten alive by mozzies in Germany! Never get bitten here. You don't really get much in the way of bugs here that you don't find anywhere else in the world. Great to hear that! Many thanks!
xN
122
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 July 2014 - 12:42
You sound hysterical. What bug are you talking about? I'd rather to sound hysterical.. I've been reading the forum and some more info via internet, especially roaches and big bugs? Aren't? Really? in 8 years I have seen one roach and it was tiny, never seen any big bugs here???? bugs are sucking things so which ones are you referring too? Actually I'm referring to really scary ones. I'm fine with smaller insects but big crawling ones.. Can't imagine..
 
 
How expats in Germany can get German pension refund

Bye Bye Germany - Hello German Pension Refund?

UAE Emirati Lawyer Awatif Khouri in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Mashreq NEO NXT Account | Why Kids and Teens Need Financial Education

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

International university transition tips

How to Make the Transition to University Life Easier

How to apply for Germany VBL Pension Refund as an expatriate | Germany Pension Refund

Bye Bye German Public Service Job - Hello VBL Pension Refund

Tourist SIM cards in Dubai guide

Tourist SIM Cards in Dubai: Where to Get One and Package Prices

World's most expensive cities to live in 2024

These Are the World's Most Expensive Cities To Live in 2024

Dubai ranked as one of the best cities to work in 2024

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

What are the signs that your online date is a fraud

8 Warning Signs Your Online Date is a Scammer

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Repatriation

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Leaving For Good

Best and Worst Countries to Get Started Abroad for New Expats

Best and Worst Countries for New Expats to Get Started Abroad

Under the Mango Tree by Robyn Fok | Expat Books

Expat Author Robyn Fok's 'Under the Mango Tree' Deals With Pet Grief & Loss

Expat Wife, Happy Life: Interview With Expat Author Florence Reisch

(Images: Supplied)

Expat Interview: Meet Florence Reisch, Author of 'Expat Wife, Happy Life!'

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II: A Tribute by UAE Expats

Remembering an Extraordinary Woman: A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

10 reasons why expat women love the UAE

10 Reasons Why the UAE is a Popular Choice for Expat Women

6 Common Fears of Moving Abroad By Yourself and How to Overcome Them

Moving to the UAE Alone: 6 Common Fears and How to Overcome Them

Ultimate Babyshop Baby and Toddler Travel Packing List

These Baby Travel Essentials Are Must-Haves For Your Next Family Getaway

Requirements to apply for a UAE Golden Visa

How Do I Obtain a UAE Golden Visa? Requirements, Eligibility, and Process Explained

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

Opening a bank account in the UAE

A Newcomer to the UAE? What to Consider When Choosing a Bank for Opening an Account

Culture shock in the United Arab Emirates for expats

14 Ways You Will Experience Culture Shock in the UAE

Why you shouldn't upload your resume on your LinkedIn profile

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Upload a Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile

10 Secrets to Happiness as an Expat

10 Secrets to Finding Happiness as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

The best European cities for new expats

Pictured: Prague

The Best Cities in Europe for Expat Arrivals

House in Husavik

10 Amazing Things To Do In Iceland

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

The Labriz eforea spa location

Why Seychelles is One of the Best Holiday Destinations

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing