Millhouse

That's a game changer.

I could never live in a place where I couldn't open the windows.

I also have a balcony. I never use it, but the option of using it does help with the cabin fever. It's also got a massive window I can open to air the place... well, it's actually a door.

scrubbedexpat141

Wrong.

I have two.

One for hanging the washing on.
One with seating and some plants and shit.

Granted - it's mainly used for smoking.
BUT - with a nice view, which we're lucky enough to have, along with the morning sunshine, at a weekend this time of year it's ****ing bliss out there.

dominoman

WTC windows do open. At least they did in every apartment I saw there.

Not a replacement for a balcony but still better than being totally sealed in

dominoman

Even if I don’t use the balcony loads I expect it to give me pleasure just to have it. Wow factor of a balcony with a great view. And I’d definitely try my best to grow some plants out there, put a small table and chairs etc.

Another advantage is that because it wraps all around the flat it means I can clean the windows whenever I need to, rather than waiting for the guys on ropes to come 3 times a year.

scrubbedexpat141

Proper ****ing chuckle at this one.

That's hilarious.

uspurs

We looked at both, but ended up staying in an older apartment in Khalidiya. 3BRs, maybe 1800 square ft, view of the water and 130K - no parking, bring your own appliances though.

We are on Zayed the First and almost all the buildings between the Sheraton and Al Ain tower have rental signs up - never seen that before in our 3 years here. And the landlords are starting to get the message re rents.

Might be worth looking at a couple of places - near the Al Ain, there's a building called the Crescent (I think), right above the JLR Ford dealership; it's 3 towers, with apartments of all sizes. One tower has I think just been reno'ed. Parking; pool on the roof, I think.
Nearer us, the Stan Chart building is OK, as are the two adjacent. Get an apartment on the back and get a view of the water.

I would check out Al Ain tower in the evening - particularly Thursday; that plaza in front is a proper zoo, for some reason. There's a coffee place nearby that seems to attract rather noisy cars - they seem to need to circle the plaza.

Good luck.

ShirleyG102

So where did you end up, Dominoman? And are you happy?

I’ve just moved to AD - saw a ton of flats yesterday - Etihad Towers, Nation Towers, Marasy, etc. Couldn’t see Al Ain as nothing was available. So confused!!!

Anyone have any insights on Marasy? Love it for the balcony, but it feels a bit cut off from everything.

archie159

Friends of ours live there, and like it. It will be nice when the building works are finished, but that won't be for years. The marina area has developed a lot more shops recently, which makes it more pleasant, and they like the ability to walk around quite the shore to the Intercontinental. They also keep a small boat in one of the marinas there (there are 3), which is a big attraction to them. I am sure the owners will try to put the prices up as/when the building works finish, so you might get a better rate now. The road approaching gets quite chaotic at start and end of work time... but doesn't seem to be completely off-putting.

ShirleyG102

This is very useful info - thank you so much!

The apartment I saw was at the back (not facing the marina), and had a view of some sort of port / repair yard for boats. Any idea what that is, as the agent didn’t know? Beyond that, the water looked gorgeous.

I’ll go again and have a look at shops, but for now only saw a restaurant.

archie159

That's exactly what it is. There are several boatyards, boat engine sales/repair places etc around there, so I don't know which one you were overlooking. It is also one of the last places in this city where they still make wooden dhows. If you are thinking of getting a boat then you couldn't be better located! There are also a couple of diving centres around there.

ShirleyG102

Thanks a lot, Archie159!

Not planning to get a boat (too many other things to do, as we’ve just arrived in AD!), but will definitely go back and see the development again - the back view wasn’t manicured like the marina view, but it seemed to be quite charming in the few seconds I saw it.

pupdawg82

Hey Dominoman - Where did you end up finally? Did your employer provide temp accommodation at hotel initially or was it from your pocket?

Does your employer have any policy to provide temp accommodation for new employees in some apartment for first few weeks?

Thanks