Originally Posted by frequentflyer1234

Hi there,

I'm off to Muscat on Friday morning for a few days but having never been before, I was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction re: border crossing.

I've been told that Hilli, the one past Bawadi Mall and the one past Danat are the best by three different people at work so don't know who to believe.

I'll be going on Friday morning around 7am.

Any other info would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

Originally Posted by Claret_In_The_ME

Hey all

There's a terrific community here and, specifically, this Al Ain thread is awesome! There's some great information in here and I've learnt a great deal from the many forum members already.

I hope you don't mind me jumping right in and asking some questions about life in Al Ain, but I'm both anxious and excited about the prospect of living and working in the town. I've never lived abroad before, so I'm sure you can sympathise with the intrepidation! Some of these questions are touched upon by previous posts, but this thread was started over 5 years old now and I want to make sure my info is up to date!

My family and I are considering a move to Al Ain, which may happen as early as this September. My soon-to-be-wife is looking for work at an English Curriculum school and we're hoping to move ASAP with our 3 year old daughter.

If I may ask;

1 - Are there any areas of town we should avoid when choosing where to live? Likewise, are there any recommendations of good places to live?

2 - The school is located in Al Masoudi, which from the map seems to be on the outskirts of town to the north. Does anyone know what the area is like? What is the trip into town like?

3 - Regarding housing, what kind of house would an allowance of AED 110,000 get us? Ideally, we'd like to be detached, with an outside area for the little one to play in (garden preferable), 3-bedrooms and, most importantly of all, in a nice safe area. Are these realistic expectations considering the budget?

4 - I've had a quick look at some rental sites - firstly, what exactly is compound housing? Secondly, can anyone recommend a reliable rental agency/landlord?

5 - Has anyone here worked at the Institute of Applied Technology, or know of people who have? What is the school like to work for on the whole?

I'm sure I'll come up with a million more questions for you guys over the coming weeks and thanks to anyone who has taken the time to read and reply to my lengthy post!

Regards
Claret_in_the_ME?

Originally Posted by Darren_T

Hi Claret,

I am from Manchester and I will be moving to Al Ain this August to start work at the IAT and so I have all the same questions as you. Have you had any luck finding many answers?

Cheers

Originally Posted by Dfhap

Hi
We are hoping to move to Al Ain from Northe East of England later on in 2012.
Our heads are buzzing with similar questions.
Dawn

Originally Posted by aggers

Kia Ora Lanie, another kiwi here, from far north been here nineteen years, can meet up for a coffee if you like.

Originally Posted by Dfhap

Hi
I am new to this forum. My Husband is going to start working in the NMC hospital Al Ain (he is a doctor). We are from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, UK.
I would be grateful to make some contacts with people living over in AL Ain to get my head round things.
He is starting there in November and I was going to join with my 2 kids in ? Jan (is this better - midway through school year - They are in reception and year 3) WHat British schools are there?
I will have a thousand more questions and I am glad to have found this most useful thread.
DFHAP

Originally Posted by AJ-UK

Hi all,

I have a new job in al ain and will move there in 2 weeks. I am considering living in Dubai and commuting. ? I have also tried to look for places to stay in al ain on the net but there is nothing decent coming up....any suggestions?

Originally Posted by IndigoGirl

We are moving to al Ain in January - were considering commuting but have decided against it because of traffic and not the best drivers on the roads. It's a long commute. Let us know how you get on. Where are you working?

Originally Posted by AJ-UK

Yes its long commute but its something i am use to. I will be working near the Al Ain airport at a manufacturing facility for aeroplane wings within the accounts department.

I'm trying to look for a place in dubai near E66 so i can easily join the motorway without being held up in the city traffic.

What will you be doing in al ain?

Originally Posted by AJ-UK

Yes its long commute but its something i am use to. I will be working near the Al Ain airport at a manufacturing facility for aeroplane wings within the accounts department.

I'm trying to look for a place in dubai near E66 so i can easily join the motorway without being held up in the city traffic.

What will you be doing in al ain?

Originally Posted by Bluelionesse

I think your employer may come under the "semi-government" category so you will have to rent a place in AD emirate to get your housing allowance. There are plenty of great properties in Al Ain both compound and independent and prices are so much cheaper than Dubai you could afford to head there and stay in a half decent hotel nearly every weekend if you wanted. The roads are great here, the driving standards are most definitely not (compared to the UK) and you also have fog to contend with many mornings between oct-march.

You are right to explore all the options but don't write AA off before you even arrive - its got a large and thriving expat community