DrBert

Apologies if this is an FAQ - searching for information to help me think about a possible relocation. Understand(ish) the rules about a years rent in advance and the guidance to get an employer to cover costs etc..

However, most of what I've seen here so far relates to villas/family homes which is more than I'd be looking for so costs etc might not be that relevant.

I'd be looking for something very similar to what I have now; flat in the centre of somewhere with some life, (currently I can walk to various restaurants, bars, a cinema etc in a few minutes - that would be good if possible), good transport links, two good sized double bedrooms, (maybe ensuite, but I can live without that), secure parking would be highly desirable, and would like a balcony, but that might not be a good idea in Dubai; I gather it can be rather warm in the summer I actually quite like looing over a city in the evening so I'd probably not pay premium for a sea view if that's relevant at all.

A quick heads up on locations, ball park prices and perhaps an agent or two to browse would be great..

MataHari

http://dubai.dubizzle.com/property-f...apartmentflat/

benzonar

Marina is probably the best bet, wide range of prices though depending on building and facilities.

Looks like I've managed to find a nice 2 bed in the six towers for 130k, 2 cheques. No cooling charges either.

Blue Cat

130K that is pricey

benzonar

Compared to what?

For Six Towers I thought it was a good price. Compared to JBR then it is probably pricey, but who wants to live in that dump?

Or I suppose I could go for some of the other buildings that have 2 beds at 95k, but they are shitholes with no facilities.

DrBert

Without wishing to stir up a hornets nest, this is the sort of information I was looking for..

My gut feeling is that whilst I want to avoid the expense of a villa, (seem more pricey from what I've seen so far..), I'd rather pay a bit more for somewhere with decent facilities than save a bit of cash and live in a shit hole..

Of course it will depend on all sorts of other things, other expenses, salary etc etc, but if the role I'm looking at comes off I'll be in Dubai for a while and I don't want to hate every minute of it and wish I was somewhere else..

Blue Cat

who wants to live in the Marina anyway? We have a duplex villa which we are only paying 132k for.

benzonar

Whats a duplex villa?

Marina is good for me as I work near to AD so its only a 45min commute.

MacScot

Some truth in that question. I visited Al Amaya supermarket on the plaza level at Bahar, JBR...many of the shops have shut and their windows have been boarded up and there is graffiti everywhere. Beginning to look like a council housing scheme (estate). Such a pity.

MataHari

that whole plaza level was doomed to fail though...everybody just stays and walks around where all the restaurants are, no one feels like climbing those stairs to look for the other shops...

Hello.Kitty

Is "Six Towers" the new Emaar development just coming online?

To the OP, Emaar are thought to have the "best" developments in the Marina - another one of theirs, Marina Promenade is quite sought after, and the LLs charge accordingly.

You'll see from Dubizzle that there's still quite a price range for 2 beds. LLs of "sought after" places (good location (as in not battered by traffic noise!) and good facilities) will invariably try it on. Apartments in buildings in less favourable locations will be noticeably cheaper, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're crud. Well, some are. It depends what your priorities are.

In any case, it's worth short-listing a good few and viewing them.

Here is a map that, whilst not complete, is quite helpful in just getting an idea of what's where... actually, looking at it, there are a good few missing, but at least if a chap says "next to", then you'll know!

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Oh yes, JBR... there are lifts (that work now!) but they're so badly signposted that you wouldn't know they're there. The AlMaya in Bahar is horrid. There's actually a small list of items that I won't buy there - "fresh" fish being left in a trolley by the refrigerated counter, cereals infested with insects... anyhow, the AlMaya opposite the Waves is leagues better... it's lovely, in fact. Quite a decent organic range too.

benzonar

Six Towers are the Original six towers built by Emaar, Al Yass, Al Mass, etc etc.

Hello.Kitty

ahhh, ok. Just wondered cos there's another 6 (or 4...) coming online just opposite Murjan (JBR)

benzonar

Yep I think they are Marina Quays, finishing apparently is well below Emaar standards in those. There is also Park island as well, same story there from what I have heard.

Big problems in Trident Marinascape buildings as well, poor AC and the electrics leave a lot to be desired.

Ethos83

Having seen the Almayas in Satwa I will never buy anything in any Almayas in Dubai. Period. Flat out no.

Just because it's in the Marina doesn't mean it's better than the ones in Bur Dubai or Satwa. A friend walked into one looking for rat poison/traps because he heard rats in his air conditioning vents in his Marina apartment, and the store clerk, misunderstanding his request, pulled him to a storage room and said, yes sir, yes sir, we have lots of rats here, lots of rats here!.

To OP: another place to look for a flat is Old Town/downtown Burj Dubai. All Emaar, high quality finishes, buildings have balconies and you can walk to the shops and restaurants and movie theatre in the Dubai Mall/ Souk al Bahar.