Hi All, been lurking to check out some info on a move to Dubai and seen how helpful and sharing you guys are. Thought I'd try and get it all in one thread... So, thanks in advance for anything you can give me.

We've got 2 little boys, due to start school in 08 and 09 and, possibly another one to come. So, am most concerned about schools and in maternity provision. I'm interested in JESS as a school and am anti-hospital birth so maybe better off having the baby at home in the UK and then moving? Any advice would be good.

Also, a good place to live? We'll need 5 beds. I like the look of Arabian Ranches and I think (hope!) we'll be fortunate enough to be able to afford it. Is it nice? Is it worth it? Buy or rent?

What's the lifestyle like for families? I want to make sure the boys really benefit from an expat experience which means I don't want to work (or only a bit). If that's the case, any advice on what a monthly income needs to be?

Thanks again!

well...the standard answer would be have you done a search on the forum...these questions have been anwered many times before so there is a lot of info here already...

as far as maternity, babies and such are concerned, you may be better off at some of the other forums, same goes for the schools...

and please...don't be Grumpy...have some fun

Ranches 5 beds are Dhs250k+ per year for rent.

She said 5 beds...Not 5bedrooms...

Sadly, it's 5 bedrooms! Thanks.

Lorna

If you want your boys to experience ex-pat life I would suggest a school other than JESS which is very British - altho the Ranches JESS is slightly less so I understand. There are other British Curriculim schools in Dubai with a more extensive cover of nationalities attending. This, I think, gives the children a far greater ex-pat experience. Otherwise it's like little England!

Good luck

I hope the company paying school fees for you. Not sure about fess at JESS but the equivalent in Abu Dhabi in 43.000 aed just for tuition, then add on lunch, uniforms and transportation.

I understand that a lot of the Brit schools in Dubai are either waiting list or exam entrance???

You should investigate b4 you get out here

Good Luck

Hi,
We live in Arabian Ranches. we chose it after extensive comparisons and have not looked back. It is really super. Villas are less expensive than elseware but have a lot of movement still to come as development has started all around. Penny

Absolute nonsense!!!!! Jess Jumeirah used to be british passport holders only but this has now been relaxed - Jess Ranches the same - waiting lists in both schools especially for the early years and it is also run on a debenture basis, so unless your company holds debentures there it can prove expensive. Jess, Dess and Jebel Ali are all non-profit making schools and therefore their fees are the lowest amongst the british schools here. School fees tend to range from approx 30k to 60k per year depending on the school.