Living in Al Ain

Old Jun 11th 2007, 10:16 am
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Default Living in Al Ain

I am living in Al Ain. Have been here 2 weeks and will probably be here for three years. My husband is working on the University extension. We are living at the Intercontinental at the moment Is there anyone out there who is also living here who might be interested in a coffee and a chat sometime.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

PS: I am a Kiwi
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 11:30 am
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I am so jealous!!! can your husband get mine a job! I would love to move to Al Ain! we are coming up for the weekend soon.
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 11:33 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Where are you living at the moment and why would you love to live in Al Ain? Just interested as we went to Dubai at the weekend and it seemed like a fantastic place?
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 11:33 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Originally Posted by larnie
Where are you living at the moment and why would you love to live in Al Ain? Just interested as we went to Dubai at the weekend and it seemed like a fantastic place?
yes we are in Dubai, I would just prefer a slower pace of life! like Dubai used to be
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 11:35 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Where are you from originally?
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 11:35 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Originally Posted by larnie
Where are you from originally?
UK - Newcastle
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Old Jun 11th 2007, 4:42 pm
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Hi larnie,

I lived in Al Ain for 2 years (no longer there). We had such a hard time finding a house that we lived at the Intercon there for 7 months. Luckily, we were in one of those villas at the end of the garden. It was tough going though - specially with a 1 year old baby!

I actually found Al Ain v. tough going. Mind you, my husband didn't work in academics (like virtually everyone else in AA) so it wasn't soo easy to meet people and make friends.

Do you play sports? As a Kiwi, you must be familiar with netball?! The girls play once or twice a week at the Hilton. If you're interested, send me a PM and I will give you the contact details.
Do you have kids? What are you interests? Will you be spending the summer there?

Let me know and I'll try to point you in the right direction.
My best advice is get stuck in as soon as you can. Join everything, refuse no invitation and be as open to whatever is going on. Failing that, go to the pub at either the Intercon or the Hilton with your DH and just start talking to people. I used to use the babysitters at the Intercon and they were lovely.

Good luck!

PS: hubby is a Kiwi....not me though - I'm a hybrid!
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Old Jun 12th 2007, 7:19 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Hi thanks for your reply. My husband is an Architect in charge of the building of the new Uni here in Al Ain. I think we will probably end up staying here at the Intercon for a while as there doesn't appear to be much decent rental accommodation around. Do you know if there is any possibility of us buying property here. We thought it might be a good idea if we are committed to 3 years here anyway. I don't have children, our children are adults and off doing here own thing. I am not planning to work either so looking for other opportunities really. We are spending quite a bit of time socialising here at the Intercon with people working with my husband who have left their wives and families back home. I am really lookingfor something to do during the day. Yes we are here for the summer whihc is proving to be quite overwhelming. Thanks goodness for the pool here.

Regards
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Old Jun 12th 2007, 4:01 pm
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

My friend is moving to Al Ain and she is having trouble choosing a villa as there are so many for half the price of Dubai and huge... have you contacted agents there?
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Old Jun 12th 2007, 5:10 pm
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

The problem with Al Ain is that there are hordes of villas available - but they are all horrid. We used to visit virtual mansions with 5 or 6 bedrooms for 95k but they were soulless, badly made houses with tiny little kitchens with bars on the windows. Most of them had avocado coloured bathroom suites (or pearly, pink shell-like decos with gold swans emerging from the taps)- euggh, no fitted wardrobes and just a disaster when it came to planning.

That's why we ended up living at the Intercon for 7 months.

Larnie, if you have no kids and want something to do during the day, my best advice is to either join the international women's group or start something up yourself. Most of the people there are eager to join new things so if you have a hobby or interest, get it going and you will reap the rewards. I started the netball club there and was rewarded with 40 members almost as soon as I put the notices up.

Good luck!
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Old Jun 14th 2007, 8:56 pm
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Originally Posted by larnie
I am living in Al Ain. Have been here 2 weeks and will probably be here for three years. My husband is working on the University extension. We are living at the Intercontinental at the moment Is there anyone out there who is also living here who might be interested in a coffee and a chat sometime.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

PS: I am a Kiwi
Hi we are moving to Al Ain in August, both my husband and have jobs there, not sure what to expect but we are being housed in an apartment to start with, what are your first impressions?
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Old Jun 15th 2007, 6:50 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Originally Posted by mcollins
Hi we are moving to Al Ain in August, both my husband and have jobs there, not sure what to expect but we are being housed in an apartment to start with, what are your first impressions?
I love Al Ain though we have never lived there. We have been in Dubai for ten years. We are coming to al Ain for the weekend at the end of the month. It is roundabout city!!! there are two good malls but crap by Dubai standards but you can get most things. The zoo is amazing but not a place to visit in the summer. It is a nice pace of life and I am sure you will settle well.
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Old Jun 15th 2007, 8:03 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

As it is summer here at the moment and hellishly hot and we do not have transport yet I have not managed to see a lot of Al Ain itself. I have found myself a taxi driver who speaks a little English and he has been very helpful taking me places and pointing out points of interest. We made the mistake of thinking we could drive on our NZ licences but we can't so make sure you get an International Licence before to get here. Al Ain is definitely the city of roundabouts and the traffic moves very very fast. There are two malls here Al Ain and Al Jimi which are not as good as Emirates Mall in Dubai but you can drive to Dubai in 1 hour 20 minutes shop til you drop and drive home or as we did stay the night in nice hotel. The zoo has just started opening at night this week as the weather is slightly cooler so we are yet to try that. The pcae of life here is a lot slower and more traditional than Dubai or Abu Dhabi but I think once we able to get out and about once the weather cools down and we can drive it will be a great place to live.
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Old Jun 15th 2007, 8:08 am
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Originally Posted by larnie
As it is summer here at the moment and hellishly hot and we do not have transport yet I have not managed to see a lot of Al Ain itself. I have found myself a taxi driver who speaks a little English and he has been very helpful taking me places and pointing out points of interest. We made the mistake of thinking we could drive on our NZ licences but we can't so make sure you get an International Licence before to get here. Al Ain is definitely the city of roundabouts and the traffic moves very very fast. There are two malls here Al Ain and Al Jimi which are not as good as Emirates Mall in Dubai but you can drive to Dubai in 1 hour 20 minutes shop til you drop and drive home or as we did stay the night in nice hotel. The zoo has just started opening at night this week as the weather is slightly cooler so we are yet to try that. The pcae of life here is a lot slower and more traditional than Dubai or Abu Dhabi but I think once we able to get out and about once the weather cools down and we can drive it will be a great place to live.
I am pretty sure you will love it ! I just wish we could get out of Dubai
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Old Jun 15th 2007, 3:27 pm
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Default Re: Living in Al Ain

Welcome to the UAE, Larnie.

I work for the Higher Colleges in Abu Dhabi, we also have colleges in Al-Ain & I know a few people in the expat circle there. If you are interested in zoos & wildlife, then you may be interested in joining the Al-Ain Natural History group - see the website below for contact details:

http://www.enhg.org/

They are very active during the camping season, and have loads of interesting field trips & social evenings.

You might also be interested in joining the Abu Dhabi chapter of Aussies Abroad (yes, I know that you're a Kiwi in Al Ain, but it's an inclusive group in both respects). I don't have their website to hand, if you have problems finding it I can get it for you from one of the Aussies at work.

Enjoy Al-Ain! I've had a few week-end breaks there, and have always enjoyed it.
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