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Contents 1 Accommodation 1.1 Renting 1.2 Buying 1.3 Neighbourhoods - general: 1.4 Utilities 2 Schools 2.1 Music Lessons 3 Getting Around 4 Places to Shop 4.1 Malls 4.2 Main supermarkets 4.3 Furniture 5 Places to Visit 5.1 Dining

[edit] Accommodation

General

Most expats coming to Abu Dhabi rent accommodation, although some longer term expat residents have bought either land or into larger developments. Rents spiked to an all time high in 2008, but are now coming back down to more sensible levels – but still high. For current market rates, check Dubizzle and Bayut. It's also worth picking up a copy of Abu Dhabi week in the city as there are plenty of adverts in the back although these tend to focus on off island areas such as Khalifa City.

[edit] Renting

Rent normally is paid 12 months in advance, although you can now negotiate 2,3, 4 or more cheques. Employers either pay rent direct, incorporate an allowance into a salary package then give a staff “loan” deducted monthly, or pay the accommodation allowance as a lump sum direct to the employee. Properties are normally rented “bare” with no furniture/white goods or curtains etc. Employers normally pay a furniture allowance or offer furniture loans to newly arrived expats.

When you look for accommodation remember to take into account any hidden costs. There will probably be an agent fee (~5%), maintenance fee (~3%), deposit, and service charges this may or may not be included and can add up to several thousand a month if you have a big villa.

All accommodation for expats on the island of Abu Dhabi is leased from local landlords. Many of the ruling family and institutional investors (banks etc) own tower blocks and villa compounds and these are apartments and duplexes. Landlords with large portfolios employ individual property management companies. They in turn deal with letting agents. There are multiple estate agencies. For a full list, take a look in the back pages of Abu Dhabi Week, a free magazine that is distributed in the airport and in all the malls. Here are some (but not all) of the more established letting agents:

LJ Property. Ask for Rachael if she still works there. British and very helpful/knowledgeable. Been in Abu Dhabi years

Milestone Property. Small independent agency run by Leyla Ben-Adel. Excellent knowledge of the local market. Only deals with the property management companies. 050 614 0814

Hyatt Real Estate

Green Emirates

First Arrow Properties. No website, but they have hundreds of new build properties off island, and have the maintenance inhouse. Their office is in khalifa city market.

Homestyle Property

To research the market, check:

Ddubizzle
Bayut
Agent fees are normally 5% of the annual rent agreed, although this is negotiable.

[edit] Buying

Off island expats can now purchase. Developments are constantly changing. In 2011, Al Bandar (opposite Yas island), Al Reef (near airport) and Reem island are the main developments expat have bought into. Plots in Khalifa city have also been purchased.

Hotels and Serviced Apartments

There are numerous hotels and serviced apartments in Abu Dhabi now, and they are still being built, so this wiki is immediately out of date. Many hotels also have serviced apartments. For most up to date listing check usual hotel booking websites like trip advisor. This is quite a good list with weblinks and phone numbers etc, but it is not 100% up to date eg there is now a huge Millenium Hotel next to Al Whada mall, and two more Rotana properties (Khalifa Park and opposite Emirates Palace): http://www.caa.ae/conference/images/HotelsList.pdf Depending on your budget you can get tatty and cheap, right up to pricey and swanky.

[edit] Neighbourhoods - general:

On island

Al Khaidya (on Corniche/public beach – getting very built up but popular. Mainly tower blocks but one villa compound behind Khalidya Mall - Communal sports club/pool etc.

Al Bateen (next to Khalidya – leafy, established, low rise – mainly privately owned villas

Al Karama – mid island downtown - centrally located, several villa compounds new and old - Communal sports club/pool etc

Al Musrif – slightly further out from Al Karama, several villa compounds new and old - Communal sports club/pool etc

Muroor road – well connected, mainly older tower blocks

Tourist Club – cheaper/older tower blocks – right downtown (disrupted by Al Salam street tunnel works so a bit cheaper at the moment)

Off Island

Between the Bridges - mainly villas, with at least one apartment complex.

Al Raha Gardens – villa complex with mix of owner occupied and expats. Some have private pools. Communal pool planned.

Golf gardens – villa complex next to Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Communal sports club/pool etc at Golf Club

Mangrove Village – older but very popular spacious villas with gardens. Communal sports club/pool etc

Seashore villas – next to Mangrove, more “packed in” and reflected in rent. Communal sports club/pool etc

Al Reef – villa complex out at airport with mix of owner occupied and expats. Rental generally lower due to distance from downtown. Some have private pools. Communal sports club/pool etc

Khalifa City A – mainly small independent villas rented privately. Some have private pools

Al Bandar – new shi shi blocks of apartments overlooking Yas island. Small but stunning location. Noise travels across form yas concerts apparently. Privately owned. communal sports club/faciliites/pools

Mohammed Bin Zayed City – new satellite city. Mainly privately owned villas – either rented whole or split.

[edit] Utilities

Bills are not expensive compared to other countries, but villas are much more expensive than apartments. For example 1000dhs+ per month vs a couple of hundred in an apartment. This is mainly diue to economies of scale achieved with central air conditioning systems.

Water/Electricity: ADWEA is the main state owned company that supply water and electricity. To get connected to a new apartment or villa, you need to have a residency visa or a letter from your employer stating that the visa application is underway. You also have to pay a deposit, depending on the size of your accommodation (1000AED+). Your agent should set all this up for you.

Gas: Mains gas is normally connected to tower blocks. Your watchman/security guard/building manager will contact the gas company to have this connected. Villas generally have to use gas bottles, which can be delivered or purchased at petrol stations.

Phone/Internet: Etisalat is the main phone and internet service provider. Chose what service you want then apply for connection at one of their offices, paying the required deposit. Your agent should help setting this all up for you. Etisalat are normally quite quick at connecting you. Their only competitor is du , but unsure if they offer domestic services in Abu Dhabi. If you're moving into a new build property things might take longer as etisalat may not have laid the cables in the street. A temporary option they offer is a mini satellite dish but speeds aren't great and it can be unreliable.

Satellite TV here (Orbit, Showtime)
Cable TV via Etisalat (E-Life package)

All utilites are paid monthly, with paper bills sent to your PO BOX. Most expats use their work PO BOX.

[edit] Schools

For Expat children Private schools is the only option. Many schools are over subscribed and have long waiting lists.

To enrol your child into school you will be required to submit and fill in the following items

• School Application Form
  
• Copies of childs and parents Passports
  
• Passport photos usually 10 are required
  
• Copies of childs birth certificate
  
• School records for the past one or two years, although some require

just the last 2 report cards

• Current immunisation records and medical history
  
• A transfer letter, has to be a official certificate from child's previous school detailing his her education. The Transfer letter has to include- date of enrolment, year of placement, date the child left school, official school stamp and official signature from Head of school.
  

Regarding "Official School Stamp" if the school has not got one, you will have to get another letter from the school saying that they do not have an official school stamp.

If starting your child after school year has begun check with the school what required documents you will need to submit to the Ministry of Education to allow your child entry into that year.

Here is a list of ONLY SOME of the Private Schools in Abu Dhabi (please add to if you know of any others)

PRIMARY & SECONDARY SCHOOLS ABU DHABI

Al Khubairat School (The British School) Tel +971 2 4462280

American Community School Tel + 971 2 6815115

American International School Tel +971 2 4444333

Pearl Primary (An Aldar Academies, British Currculum in Abu Dhabi City centre) Tel + 971 2 6418887

Al Yasmina (An Aldar Academies, British Currculum sister School to Pearl at Al Raha Gardens) Tel +971-2-690 5816

Raha international School Tel 02 5561567

[edit] Music Lessons

Abu Dhabi Music Institute 02 674-1331
ADMI offers private lessons in organ, piano, violin, guitar, flute, accordion and voice training from age 4 on. Certificates are awarded and recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education.

Beethoven Institute of Music 050-7827947
They offer lessons in Piano, Vocals, Guitar, Drums and Keyboards from age 6 onwards. Special music program for kids age 4 to 6 called mini musicians. Official Representative for Trinity Guildhall London. Location corner of 2nd and 5th. Abu Dhabi.

Delma Music Training Centre 02 645-7137
Classes taught in English or French in piano, guitar, keyboard and voice.

International Music Institute 02 621-1949 or 621-1299
Lesson offered for piano, violin, flute, sax, clarinet, guitar and drums for all ages.

Royal Music Academy
Preparation for the Trinity College or Royal School of Music, London. Instruments include the guitar, drums and keyboard.

[edit] Getting Around

Abu Dhabi island is built on a grid system so getting around is relatively easy, although due to the recent and ongoing urban development there are major roadwork’s in various parts of the City. The Tourist Club area is worst effected as they are building a tunnel towards the Mina port area, so factor in extra time if you are going to this area. Off island is growing all the time and the road infrastructure is changing by the day. Saddiyat/Yas island is a great highway out of town and when the new Salam Street tunnel is opened (2012 expected) will significantly enhance access to downtown Abu Dhabi.

New silver taxis were introduced to the city in 2008, as was a bus system. Both are now fairly mature and the bus service covers most of the city.

Taxis: All fares are metered and the meters have a photograph and ID number for all drivers. Fares start at 3 dirhams, drivers get grumpy if the fare is less than 5, but you are only required to pay what is on the meter. Tipping is optional. Downtown to the airport is around 50 - 60 dirhams, increasing after midnight.

Buses: Although slow and rather crowded at peak times, the buses are always clean, frequent and it is a flat 1 dirham charge, or you can buy into a cashless card system. Separate seating for ladies at the front. More info here: http://www.ojra.ae/en_bus.htm

Car hire: Many people rent a car when they arrive in AD, and never get around to buying. All the main car rental agencies offer short and long term rates on new/well maintained cars - a basic family salon is around 2000 - 2500 dirhams per month (2011). There are smaller and cheaper independent operators, but the cars are pretty hit or miss and you don’t get such good service.

Airports: The main airport is Abu Dhabi International serving the region and the world. There is a smaller airport called Al Bateen, and to confuse people it isn't in the Al Bateen area but in Musrif, near Carrefour, airport road. Al Bateen is where VIP helos and short flights to Sir Bai Yas island/Delma Island tend to operate from.

[edit] Places to Shop

[edit] Malls

Abu Dhabi Mall - http://www.abudhabi-mall.com/
Located in the Tourist Club Area next to the Beach Rotana. Click for a map.
Many stores stocking clothing, furniture, electrical goods, kids fun zone, cinema. Shops like Early learning centre, Apple Mac Store, Monsoon, Next....

Marina Mall - http://www.marinamall.ae/
Located on the breakwater jutting out from Corniche Road near the Emirates Palace. Click for a map.
Supermarket (Carrefours), many clothing outlets. Small M&S, Mothercare, PlugIns (for electrical goods)

Al Wahda Mall - http://www.alwahda-mall.com/
Located near Al Wahda football stadium. Click for a map.
Supermarket: LuLus Cinema, Bowling, Kids Fun Zone. Shops like - Gap, Banana Republic, Mothercare, Boots, Next.

Mazyad Mall - http://www.mazyadmall.com/
Located in Muhammed Bin Zayed City near Musaffah. Click for a map.
Supermarket: LuLus Ideally located for Khalifa City/Mohammed bin Zayed City etc.

Al Meena Centre - For good priced electrical goods -TV, Fridge, Washing machines, Computers, Sound systems, Oven and Cook Tops, which is near to an Ace Hardware (Meena Rd) and Toys r Us.

Also a large IKEA is on Yas Island.

[edit] Main supermarkets

'Spinneys - Stocks many British products including Marmite, Waitrose products, great deli items and also has a section that sells pork products

Abelas - Good selection of British products - also has a section that sells pork products and a small branch of Posters (cards, novelties etc)

LuLu's Hypermarket - Very large stores where you can find most things (the best one is at Al Wahda Mall). Has everything and is very reasonably priced. Also has some British products e.g. Branson pickle

Carrefour -Very large stores where you can find most things. Has some French products

Abu Dhabi Co-Op - Numerous locations, fair variety, local produce

[edit] Furniture

If you want to have the same furniture as every other expat, go to Ikea which is now located on Yas Island next to Ferrari World and the Grand Prix circuit. I swear that everyone I've ever met has the same fish-shaped ice cubes. For other reasonable value furniture try Home Centre in Marina Mall, and if you fancy going crazy try "Royal Furniture" in Mina Zayed. You won't believe some of the designs there!
For proper wooden furniture, try Dibaj in Meena Port (map).

[edit] Places to Visit

There's no museum in Abu Dhabi until the Al-Hosn Palace reopens, however, 155km into the desert is the oasis of Al Ain, part of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. (see below)

In Abu Dhabi you can visit Emirates Palace Hotel which cost several billion dollars to build. Although run by the German Kempinski chain as a top end hotel, it is infact a real palace - it was built for and remains the official Presidential guest palace where heads of state stay when on official visits to the UAE (they have their own VVIP entrance which is closed most of the time). The hotel also featured in the film "The Kingdom". Best excuse to visit is to go for afternoon tea. They also have a theatre which puts on a variety of top class events such as Abu Dhabi Classics. Be warned you can be turned away if you're looking scruffy, or your skirt is too short, or if there are VVIP's in town.

While at Burj Al Arab you have to pay upfront to enter, you can go inside Emirates Palace for free and wander inside the lobby or go to the restaurants. If you want a tour of the hotel, you pay Dhs 100 and get a voucher. The tour takes you to all the luxurious apartments and other areas hidden to the regular visitor, and you can use the voucher in any of the restaurants or coffee shops inside. The decorations inside the hotel are luxurious, marvellous, beautiful. Special deals run diring Ramadan making rooms affordable.

Ferrari World has recently opened next to the grand prix circuit with standard adult tickets currently on sale at 225dhs. The key attraction "Formula Rossa" is a real adrenalin fix, but much of the rest is less so. Do check the website to make sure the rides are running on the day you want to visit.

Emirates Motor Museum Is a little gem on the road to Liwa a 30 minute drive outside Abu Dhabi. The Rainbow Sheikh keeps many of his car collection here in a garage shaped like a pyramid. Avoid Fridays and be prepared to ask the guard to open up for you. Free entry. For more information wathc the Top Gear report http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8GdadQzMeo

Caracal Shooting club If you want to try out pistol shooting in a professional range this is the place. Just bring some ID and they'll take you through everything professionally.

Kayaking in the mangroves. Abu Dhabi is located very close to a large stretch of mangroves which you can explore in Kayaks. A great way to escape the city whilst being on its doorstep.

In Al Ain is the Al Ain Museum, with some very good exhibits about the history of UAE. Definitely worth a visit.

In Hili Archeological Park - Al Ain, there is a 5000 years old tomb, the oldest in the area. Climb to the top of Jebel Hafeet mountain for beautiful views from above across the desert. It is a very beautiful drive up the mountain, on a winding 9 km road. On top is also the Hotel Mercure, which is a failry new hotel built to a rather Don Johnsonesque Miami Vice 80's style. Fine for a nose around and pitstop, or a quiet overnight stay.

Al Ain Wildlife park is the newly expanded zoo, which has been renovated recently, and draws quite some crowds over the weekend. It is a great family day out, b ut best to go in the evenign during the hotter months. The park aslo has some rare breeds, including a pair of gorgeous white lions. Many animals you can get up to very closley to for amazing pictures, thanks to well designed enclosures with very thick glass!!! For more information check their website http://www.awpr.ae/en/Pages/Home.aspx

http://www.spacewalk.ae/ For indoor skydiving. Expensive for a short time, but most seem to enjoy the experience.

http://www.mutahida.net/ Fly a jumbo jet! Not tried it personally but it is popular with many seeking to entertain vistors. Located at Al Bateen airport.

[edit] Dining

It is difficult to keep up with all the restaurants opening and resting on their laurels - so this wiki will almost be immediately outdated. Time Out Abu Dhabi regularly reviews the new and old, publishing the results. Annually they have an award, but these don't often reflect experience. By reputation, these are the "old steady favourites" in Abu Dhabi:

Chamas, Intercon, Al Bateen (Brazillian meat fest - not a veggie option) Finz, Beach Rotana, tourist club area (Fish restaurant built on the water) Vasco's, Hilton Corniche (Indian and Italian - poor service but lovely location) Toki, Hilton Corniche (Japanese) Coopers, Park Rotana, Khalifa park (pub grub) Captains Arms, Le Meridian, Tourist Club (pub grub) Pearls and Caviar, Shangrila, Between the Bridges - they do a Thursday supper Club - 195AED tasting menu with unlimited house wine or beer. Nice setting too with a view of the grand mosque

For more traditional Arabic/Emirati fare, there is the Al Dafra dhow cruise and restaurant down at the Mina port area. No alcohol, but worth sacrificing for the experience and decor.

the best brunches are at the Fairmont (pricey) and Shangrila (slightly less pricey). There are of course cheaper options - the Sheraton and Intercon were previously the old favourites and remain popular

There are also a bunch of restaurants out at the Souk near the Shangrila - the Noodle House, Mombassa Grille and Shi Cho are good and always popular. Here is the listing of all eateries there:

http://soukqaryatalberi.com/dining.php

Here is the link to get an up to date run down of the restaurants in Abu Dhabi:

http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/restaurants

For take out, almost all restaurants deliver - there are some listed in Time Out. However here are some regulars that are consistently good and deliver (usually 45 - 60 mins)

Arabic:

Lebanese Flower Restaurant - Superb authentic food, friendly service, family-friendly, inexpensive, big portions, doggy bags (you'll need them), open late. Various locations, eat-in or takeaway.

Indian:

Moti Matal, India Palace Tandoori Corner

Vietnamese:

Hanoi

Thai:

Royal Orchid Palace