L1bel

Hi everyone

As the title suggests, I am trying to get some insight into some of the differences between these two places with a view to seeking employment in one of them.

What I have learned so far seems to suggest (rightly or wrongly) that AD might be better placed in terms of commercial and business activity in the medium to long term due to its greater GDP and plans for expansion whereas Dubai might be nearing saturation in terms of commercial service providers (i.e. bankers and lawyers). On the other hand, it seems that rented accommodation in AD is much harder to find, more expensive and of a lower standard than Dubai (and I'm not massively keen on a 90 mins commute from Dubai to AD as an option).

So, any thoughts?

Any advice much appreciated

Madam Medusa

do a search, there have been a number of threads fairly recently on this exact topic...

it's extremely subjective, of course, depends what you are looking for...i love dubai, wouldn't live in abu dhabi, but others feel the opposite...

MM, xx

L1bel

Thanks, MM. Thought I had exhausted the forum search but obviously not so will have another look!

Madam Medusa

i'm feeling kind, i've done it for you... http://britishexpats.com/forum/searc...earchid=983385

MM, xx

MataHari

the 2 cities are not comparable as far as I am concerned...and I agree with MM...I'd not want to live in AD...even when it's only an hours drive away

L1bel

Awwww, how very kind!! Thanks so much!

Eva

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...habi+dubai+abu



Here's another....Mantronic-what a guy

L1bel

Hmmm, interesting. Is there anything in particular which influences your decision? i.e. people/work/etc?

L1bel

Great, thanks, Eva!! Better get reading.....!

MataHari

there's just more going on here...more choice in just about everything you can think of...

L1bel

Thanks MH, good to know.

mrskpd

It's very subjective. Best way to choose is to go over there and spend some time in both regions. I was offered jobs in both AD and Dubai and we just returned from a two week trip to choose. We ended up going with Dubai as we preferred the options for both of us in Dubai and thought we would like living there better. But we have several friends who have just made the move and are opposite, really prefer AD. So, who knows!
Dubai is massively under construction at the moment and struggling with a bit of an infrastructure problem, but it is a pretty exciting place. AD is a little quieter, there is no where near as much construction (yet, but in 2 - 3 years?). Also D is a little more western than AD which is trying to remain as traditional as possible

Foxes

my two penny's worth...

am currently living in Dubai but working in Abu Dhabi. However I cannot wait to leave Dubai and go to AD permenantly - but the housing situation in AD is a nightmare which is preventing the move. I believe AD to have better Roads, Infrastructure, a calmer pace and this may sound odd, but i generally find the minds of the local's to be more in tune to western progressive way of thinking than that of the Dubians. Dubai's chaotic roads and traffic and general dirtyness due to the level of construction are the only notable downers.

I also like the fact that work in AD generally pays substantially more than Dubai

However, my family and I live by choice what would be termed as 'boring' lives !! A weekly trip to the cinema's and access to a pool and cable TV does us just fine wherever we are - and so do not crave the choice of activites that most 'normal' people need.....

but each to their own i guess !!!

lindsayg

Does AD being 'more traditional' make it a worse choice for single females??

outtatouch

can't answer for the singles market. am in abu dhabi and would prefer to be in dubai for the reasons stated above - seems just more going on despite the traffic/construction.