PeterC

I'm about to take a married status posting in AD and need some friendly advise as to where best to stay.
We have grown up kids and will be leaving them behind although we do expect them to visit at our expense of course....
W'd prefer a villa (2/3 bed) and fairly central - nothing more than say a 30 minute commute. The area would ideally have a bit of life about it with usual brit expat community spirit etc and oh yes and the wife would like to bring our dog Great to get some feedback.

seven seas

By the time Great gets here, it will be too late for feedback. You must really value that dog's opinion huh?



Seriously: Where are you going to be working? Sas Al Nakhl Compound seems nice...

Tillybean

Friends live on Khalifa Park - there are various compounds there which are quite nice.

SugarMetal

Not central but Raha gardens is nice. Great house sizes and nearly every place has a garden. Even better now that Gardens Plaza is very nearly complete. Takes my husband about half an hour to get to work in tourist club area.

I guess it depends a lot as to what your budget is?

PeterC

Many thanks to all for responses, which will give me something to work on.
The allowance is AED220K and I'd be working for ZADCO.
My company will only provide temporary accommodation in staff house for a few days, on arrival before I get a place sorted.
As I'll be on my own for a time, is it possible typically to get short term fully furnished rental (say an apartment for 1 to 3 months located centrally) - to enable chance to look around at options.
I've heard that some landlords try and get you locked in to 12 month contracts.

Different subject - can you access and use Skype in UAE or is this blocked?
Pretty important that somehow I can keep in touch with home.
Thanks again.

Millhouse

Yes, but it's quite expensive - maybe 12k AED/ month for a small 1 bed serviced flat

yes. install it on the laptop before you come

csdf

There are numerous of these e.g. Vision Hotel Apartments, the Arjaan Rotana places (I think there's two of them in AD).

archie159

I'm doing exactly this, but staying in a small hotel apartment in central Abu Dhabi - nothing grand, just one room, and paying 9000AED per month.