W10

I've heard the same story from almost every senior person working on that and other major projects.

The top contractors on JBR were all offered apartments at cost and most turned them down

Jammy_Dodgers

I can fully agree with alot of the above comments,
As an ex Porsche driving,fancy apartment owning expat, I have never know anywhere easier to get laid, even though I am hideous to behold.

It used to get boring when lady folk would say "it will have to be your place as i have a boyfriend/Husband/fiance (delete as applicable)

the place is shallow fickle and false, and I would never seriously consider dating anyone that i met here.

Before i get any grief, im aware what this place is about, and although i may not feel comfortable with it, i have come to accept it.

Miss Eck

you started the conversation!!!!

Blue Cat

It is a shame that Dubai has come to this, years ago you would never have heard these type of comments. Prior to Emirates Airlines the men used to complain about the lack of women, there used to be 5 men to every woman if I remember rightly. The women had choice and the men treat them well!!!

IndieG

But this is the same elsewhere too

My dewa bills are not huge - about 300 a month. If someone lives in a 4 bed villa with a garden and leave the lights, ac on 24 hours in every room, what do you expect? Still think the bills are lower in Dubai for the amount consumed.

Service Charges:

Speeding fines - I want the fines trebled! And 2nd offence - deported. Too many kids paying with their lives here

Dubai as a place was much better 10 years back. But strange as it may sound, we like it more now - probably because we are happier at our jobs.

Blue Cat

I like it less, the traffic does me in!!!

IndieG

I know BC, I hate the traffic too. But you have the same problem in all crowded cities.

Blue Cat

in that case I wish it wasn't crowded!!!

MataHari

whatever next...Jammy for Pope...

alfro

As a single bloke about to move to Dubai, I really don't know how to take this thread at all.

A recently divorced bloke complaining about to much female attention??? Guys making statements about it being easy to get laid as if thats a bad thing?

I am confused... are all these "desperate" women hideously ugly or "mature" or what?

W10

Go for it, you'll get bored of it within a year.

Or you could end up like the sad 50 year olds who spend their time chasing 25 year old girls.

indiegirl...its not the same. Any Western city worth its salt has a proper public transport system. Do I drive in London? Do I drive in NYC? Do I need to drive in Hong Kong? No...because I don't need to.

These are crowded cities, Dubai is NOT a crowded city. 1.4m people spread over a 50km stretch.

Dubai is just an appallingly planned city, which is amazing considering it is just that...a planned city. A city that openly stated 5 years ago it wanted to double its population within 10 years only just getting around to mass transit and building adequate road and taxi networks?

IndieG

I was just commenting on the traffic jams and not on the transportation system, which I agree with you.

I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone, unless they are getting a really fat package. Had a major reality check today, when looking for a 2 bed apartment for someone. See my post in the ME knowledge base thread.....

W10

oh and thanks again for persuading me against ploughing cash into Air Arabia shares

alfro

now you are scaring me for all sorts of different reasons....

I was hoping to buy a decent sized villa when I moved in but I am discovering that these are hard to come by. All this talk of soulless city, terrible transportation, exorbitant rental prices, and sex starved women ( ) not to mention poor quality buildings... I am starting to think I have made a mistake....

NorthernLad

I'm still surprised people try to compare Dubai directly with other cities that have been established for centuries.

I personally think Dubai is doing a pretty good job in the circumstances. If being very conservative, lets say it's being developing for 30 years. For the short amount of time it doesn't seem to be doing too badly. What was it supposed to do, sit back and rely on dwindling oil? There are problems, but these can't be solved overnight.

How about comparing Dubai to other 'new' cities - lets take Milton Keynes for example...I know which of the two places I'd prefer to live.

People complain about it being built on cheap labour (I am not saying this is right, I think the conditions of the construction workers are horrific), but if they can get away with it they will - it's the same in any business, you cut your costs as much as possible, and if people will work for what you offer, you do it.

Culture? What is expected from such a new city, a Royal Albert Hall, a Louvre???

Yes, the place has its faults but I admire it for what is trying to do - make something of itself.

(I'm just going to climb into the stocks ready for the inevitable barrage)