popsicle

Well, had a very disappointing day trip to look at villas round Umm Sequiem/Jumeirah the other day. Falling apart kitchens and bathrooms of all sorts of shades of pastel... We've got a budget of about 200k for 4 bed or large 3 bed, would like to pay a bit less, but can pay a bit more. Would really like to cover off this house hunting business in another day trip or two. Should we forget about Jumeirah for somewhere nice at this price or have we just been unlucky?

I don't want to go inland too much, so have been thinking on concentrating efforts on Barsha or Meadows. How long would it take to get to Jumeirah College for the school run from these places and would we fare any better in terms of quality of housing?

Sorry if this has been asked before, can't find it on any of the threads...

Oh and anything else you think is worth chipping in would be very much appreciated, good estate agents, other places to think about etc!

Thank you chaps!

Millhouse

go to Barsha.

popsicle

Well that was easy - thanks Millhouse. Estate Agentry said it would take 15-20 mins to get to Jumeirah College for the school run...does that ring true?

Blue Cat

more 20-25, check with Rocky Real Estate about Casablanca Villa's, I am pretty sure there is one empty near me, 4 bed 180 PA, pool etc. We gave up on Jumeirah as they were all pretty shabby.

popsicle

Ooh, will do - thanks very much! It's a bit like searching for a needle in a haystack when you're not familiar with the areas...

Patsy Stoned

Drive around Al Barsha, there are lots of nice villas. Prices range from 180K to 280K.... the house next door is up for rent. 260K 5 bedrooms, 2 maids rooms outside, majlis, 3 receptions, huge kitchen and a lovely pool area. The only downside is that you would have me as a neighbour

Patsy Stoned

But that is a compound and a shared pool isn't it darling?

Blue Cat

of course, I am merely a Princess of Al Barsha not the Queen shared with 18 villas, we are the only ones who ever us it though

popsicle

That sounds lovely Patsy...but probably a little bit too pricey at the moment bearing in mind all the costs that crop up when you move somewhere new. I shall have to stand outside your gates and stare at how the other half live :-(

scrubbedexpat141

Popsicle - do you work whilst the kids are at school?

popsicle

No - but the plan is to get back on it when we get to Dubai....why do you ask?

scrubbedexpat141

Just wondered why the drive time was a key factor...

popsicle

Oh right, OK...well apart from it just being a bit pants sat in a car for most of the day, I also have a pre-school one that I don't want to leave at home for too long or have to sweat it out in the car...plus bear in mind that school starts at 7.40am or so, so you can easily have to be up and at em at 5.30, 6....which means bed for 9. And that has many disadvantages...by the time the kids are in bed, you're practically in bed, husband has only just got home, going out on a school night with non school runners also becomes a major infringement on your sanity the following day...you end up getting up at 6 on a Friday because you're so used to it....it's rubbish.

bet you wished you never asked...

scrubbedexpat141

A woman has never been more correct.

Live in the school. It's the only hope

popsicle

When I'm rich I'm going to employ a staff of teachers to come to mine. And they can feed me grapes during break time.