am0

Hi all

Looking to move to Sharjah and was wondering about the British Expat community. I have read about the Sharjah Wanderers and would like to know if there are other organisations alongside that allow British Expats to come together?

Additionally, any recommendations for kids activities/clubs to meet other children?

Thanks in advance

am0

the_red_sheep

There really isn’t much of one these days as far as I know. I work in Sharjah (but live in Dubai) and to the best of my knowledge none of my colleagues from the UK or indeed Europe/America live in Sharjah. 5 years ago there would have been a reasonable UK ex-pat population in Sharjah but they’ve largely moved into Dubai.

Living in Dubai, or even Ajman or RAK, would be a better option if it’s available to you.

am0

Thanks red sheep

I start work in November and looking for a flat to commute to Sharjah. Which areas would you recommend in Dubai to commute to sharjah?
am0

Inselaffen

Doesn't make sense to commute from Dubai to Sharjah. Sharjah rent is far cheaper than Dubai.
you could try somewhere like Al Hamra in RAK

mentalist

Al Hamra is nice but a very long drive from Sharjah. Try Al Nahda or Al Qusais, both on the Sharjah-Dubai border, if you just want a basic apartment.

the_red_sheep

I presume you’re going to get a car and be driving? If so, your options are pretty open and probably more influenced by budget than anything else. You’re going the opposite way of most of traffic. I used to live in Downtown and commute into Sharjah which was about 25-30mins each way. I’m now in JLT and it’s around 35-40mins each way. My office is the Dubai side of Sharjah so getting in and out is relatively pain free.


It’s a long old poke from RAK to Sharjah and back every day, particularly getting around in Sharjah with the traffic. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you couldn’t afford to live in Dubai.

Rent has gone up considerably in Sharjah in the last 18 months, there’s no rent cap, although it is admittedly still cheaper that Dubai. However, you do get what you pay for, apartments in Sharjah may be cheap but few are cheerful. Also, being one of very few western expats may not be everyone’s cup of tea, particular a young white women who’d experience lots of starring at best, some unwelcome advances and even some groping in underpasses and busy area is far from unknown


These would be good lower cost options, along with Al Mamzar and possibly Mirdiff. But, you have plenty of choice depending on what you want (and budget) – i.e. to be close to more lively ex-pat areas/bars/malls etc. or to be in the cheaper and more culturally diverse areas.

am0

Thanks for the replies

Mirdiff looks like a good option. Does it have a expat communuity? what about sports / football clubs?

am0

Meow

Pretty much all of Dubai has an expat community what with expats making up 85% of the population.

am0

I was thinking more along the lines of British expats. Where in Dubai/Sharjah would I be able to meet British expats?

Thanks

the_red_sheep

A lot of UK expats who work at the airport live in Mirdiff, but its a pretty mixed community nationality wise. It’s a slightly older part of the city, and not been developed as an ‘gated community’ like many other areas, which I prefer in many ways.

From Mirdiff you’re a 10 min cab ride away from Le Meridan Village (a little restaurant/bar complex) which usually has a decent sprinkling of UK expats, particularly in Dubliner bars. There’s a running club in Mirdiff, can’t remember the name of it, but their a plenty of UK expats involved. If you put yourself out and about (sports clubs, events, activities etc etc) you’ll have no trouble meeting people. All the expats have been in the same boat so are generally pretty quick to welcome newbies into the fold.

Meow

I have to ask. Why move out of the UK of you only want to meet Brits when abroad?

Loads of Brits in Dubai, far fewer in Sharjah.

am0

Making friends would be easy - regardless of background but a good balance of backgrounds would be nice - South Asian, Emirati, Arab and UK expat. Meeting South Asian and Emirati would be easy but uncertain on where I would meet Uk Expats.

am0

Meow

Meeting Emiratis in Dubai is not so easy, unless you plan to strike up friendships when visiting a government office. As I said Brits are all over in Dubai. You'll find us in bars, cafes, restaurants, gyms, sports clubs etc.

am0

Many thanks

am0

am0

Hi Meow

I think ive just been to your Blog?????

Do you any advice on pensions in the UAE?

am0