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Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Old Jul 22nd 2016, 6:05 pm
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Default Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Hi guys

just about to move our family to Abu Dhabi, and have 4 weeks off before I start work. Our daughters will be going to Al Yasmina, Work will be on Al Maryah Island although I'll be using the airport quite a bit.

Can anyone recommend a good residential area/compound with plenty of Brits or "westerners" and a clubhouse and pool (mainly for my girls to socialise) where we can start our house rental search?

Also, is the British Club a good place to join?

Any recommendations and advice gratefully accepted

cheers

Ian
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Old Jul 22nd 2016, 6:38 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Compounds: Sas al Nakhl or Al Raha Gardens are both close to Al Yasmina. Golf Gardens is also close, but somewhat more expensive. What's your budget?
The Club (aka British Club, though it stopped being called that in the 70's) is great for families, and (by Abu Dhabi standards) relatively cheap. Unlike some years ago, there is no particular waiting list any longer - they've also been hit by the oil-price recession, with loads of expats leaving recently.
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Old Jul 22nd 2016, 7:06 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Budget of up to 450,000AED/month
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Old Jul 23rd 2016, 4:38 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by BigIan279
Budget of up to 450,000AED/month
I doubt you mean that... per year?
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Old Jul 23rd 2016, 6:21 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

450K a year is very generous, even by AD standards.

The obvious answer is a villa on Saadiyat Island. Right by the best beaches in AD, 5 minutes from The Club, 10-15 minutes from Maryah Island, 20-25 minutes from the airport. Don't know where the school is but Cranleigh is on Saadiyat.
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Old Jul 23rd 2016, 7:31 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by archie159
I doubt you mean that... per year?
Ooops! yes, 450k per year
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Old Jul 23rd 2016, 7:55 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by DXBtoDOH
450K a year is very generous, even by AD standards.

The obvious answer is a villa on Saadiyat Island. Right by the best beaches in AD, 5 minutes from The Club, 10-15 minutes from Maryah Island, 20-25 minutes from the airport. Don't know where the school is but Cranleigh is on Saadiyat.
Yes, we did look at a place on Saadiyat last October, - luuurrvvleee villas, no post 16 offering (6th form) at Cranleigh tho' - which my oldest needs.

The area we saw seemed hardly populated by anyone let alone westerners.

We went to Al Yasmina from the Park Hyatt via the E12, Yas, E10 which took about 35 mins at around 09:30, how much longer would the commute be during rush hour?

As a general rule do families live near their school or is it more common to have a longish commute in on the school buses/taxi?

Golf Gardens looks nice but I've heard that many westerners have moved on from what once was a large majority to a small minority now.
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Old Jul 23rd 2016, 8:16 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Various random thoughts...

Have you tried Brit School Al Khubeirat (or however it is spelt), or Brighton College? The former, and I think the latter, both have 6th forms, and have a reputation that they are both better than Al Yasmina (though reputations are not always justified, and schools' quality seem to change rapidly over here).

Yes, in general I would try to live somewhere which is reasonably convenient for school. Not only will your child need to go there for normal school hours, but then there'll be the after-school clubs and activities also, sports, plays etc.

I know people at Golf Gardens, and yes, there has been a slight % reduction of westerners, but they are still happy enough other than the huge rents - though your allowance will cover that (however if you get to keep the difference, then that is a good argument to look for somewhere cheaper). There has been a reduction in % of westerners in lots of places as redundancies hit (Oil and Gas seems to have been particularly impacted). Also, you are coming to live in the middle east - do you really want to live surrounded by westerners only? Another place you could look is the new development in Khalifa City, near Al Forsan - large villas, look good from the outside. I can't remember its name. Above the new Spinneys, and only a short drive to Al Yasmina...
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 3:38 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

I have not read any of the replies, i am to hungover to read.

If you are in Al Maryah, you have to move to Al Ream it'll be a 5min drive to work. You have two real options one is Marina Square but there is a mosque there so alot of westerners are moving to Gate Towers or Sun/Sky. This is all linked by Booty Mall, which is rubbish but has a Waitrose and Waitrose liquir store underneath the car park. Oh and a Nandos.

also i'd look at Al Raha area

Not been British Club, i think it's just called the club now. But if you have 450k a year, have a look at Saadiyat Island, and the accom there. Its amazing and you'll have direct access to St Regis hotel and bar (and a discount on the booze)

Last edited by iggle; Jul 24th 2016 at 3:41 am.
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 6:24 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by iggle
I have not read any of the replies, i am to hungover to read.

If you are in Al Maryah, you have to move to Al Ream it'll be a 5min drive to work. You have two real options one is Marina Square but there is a mosque there so alot of westerners are moving to Gate Towers or Sun/Sky. This is all linked by Booty Mall, which is rubbish but has a Waitrose and Waitrose liquir store underneath the car park. Oh and a Nandos.

also i'd look at Al Raha area

Not been British Club, i think it's just called the club now. But if you have 450k a year, have a look at Saadiyat Island, and the accom there. Its amazing and you'll have direct access to St Regis hotel and bar (and a discount on the booze)

The Waitrose in Boutique mall has a beer shop attached? Never knew that, are you sure?

To the OP, there are new villas being released on Reem Island that look very nice indeed and will be within your budget. From there you are looking at 10 minutes to Al Maryah, 15 minutes to the British School (which has a good sixth form), 45 minutes to the airport and slightly less to get to Al Yasmina.
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 6:27 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by Fossildog
The Waitrose in Boutique mall has a beer shop attached? Never knew that, are you sure?
.
Arc Tower C in the carpark. Its owned by waitrose and sell nearly every local UK beer/Cider/Wine. Even Waitrose branded wine.
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 6:31 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by iggle
Arc Tower C in the carpark. Its owned by waitrose and sell nearly every local UK beer/Cider/Wine. Even Waitrose branded wine.
Will have to check that out. Getting to the one in Almaya Towers is a right pain
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 6:37 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Originally Posted by Fossildog
Will have to check that out. Getting to the one in Almaya Towers is a right pain
It's called peninsula, google it peninsula arc tower. I am not making it up. The guy gives me free booze, maybe he feels sorry for me?
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Old Jul 24th 2016, 6:51 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

Alcoholics make the best customers. Nothing like building up loyalty among your clientele.

Originally Posted by iggle
It's called peninsula, google it peninsula arc tower. I am not making it up. The guy gives me free booze, maybe he feels sorry for me?
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Old Nov 23rd 2016, 10:00 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi - Where to live

I'm trying to decide where to live when we move to Abu Dhabi next month.

We are a couple, late thirties, no kids. I'll be working on Corniche. My wife will be at home to start with, and is going to look for work (in Finance).

At the moment our preferred shortlist is one of:
- Reem Island
- Al Bateen by the port

Any thoughts on pros/cons?

I'd love to have somewhere with a feeling of community and a bit of bustle. Also somewhere that isn't all just rich locals, but has a bit more of a mixed feel. More like Balham than Mayfair if you know what I mean. A few nice cafes, and a mixture of high-end and low-end restaurants...

Someone told me that Burj Mohammed Bin Rashed / World Trade Centre is nice. Does anyone know it?

Any help of advice would be hugely appreciated!
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