Zannie

Hi there

Gareth and I have just got back from Dubai after spending a few days there on a 'look and see' basis.

Well we love it and now definetely planning our move. Whist we were there we visited the 'Street of Dreams' on the EMAAR site a Emirate Hills, the villas there are fantasic and are considering renting in this area.

However, we have heared quite alot about an area call Mirdif which is a short drive away, but you can get much more for your money. Does anyone live in Mirdif so you can give us an idea of what the area is like, Gareth will be working at Mediacity, so Emirate Hills will be great area to lease due to it's close location to Mediacity, but was wondering how long it would take from Mirdif. I'm looking for pros and cons in each area if you have any? Also on the Gardens!!

Cheers

Zannie

Jellybean

Hi Z welcome to the forum

Yes Emirates Hills would be very convenient for Media City (Junction 5), however this junction is a pain at the best of times, depending on what time you wish to leave to get to work. Anytime between 7am - 9am and 3pm-5pm can sometimes be chaotic just getting across or onto the flyover (bridge). However, it is getting better as more access roads are developed into and out of EH's.

Mirdiff, I hv little knowledge of times from or to, rentals are cheaper for sure but all are going up!! At a guess i would say approx 40 mins depending on traffic, I am sure there is somebody around here who can confirm or advise more accurately.

Truth Speak

Mirdiff is good and cheap, but there's no amenities there. However a big centre will be finished later this year. As per Jellies post, its the wrong side of town and u r also close to the airport flight path.

However, once Jebel Ali airport is finished with a planned passenger thruput greater then Heathrow, nowhere past interchange 5 is going to be peaceful!! u have 8 yrs to completion..

johnbuoy

I concur everyones comments on this post especially getting around interchange 5, it can be a nightmare at times.

Mirdiff is a cheaper option and not too far to commute from, i have a friend who rents a 4 bedroomed villa + maids room for AED60k and gets a swimming pool, gymnasium thrown in, correct about the lack of shopping facilities but it will improve, the downside is being on the flightpath, which is busy, and they do come over low and noisy.

It's hard to comment where Shk Zayed Rd will be in a months time or a couple of years, there is a new flyover being built between interchange 4 & 5 but it has no roads going to it!! so what the plan is with that i don't know.

Maybe someone else can advise

DubaiExpat

I have been living on Emirates Hills for only a week now and so far it is quite good. Getting out of the area in the mornings is a nightmare, but that is the only complaint I have. Incidentally, where are you planning on renting, the Lakes, Springs or Meadows?

Mirdiff is a nice area with nice houses but it really is on the wrong side of town, very isolated and it is like living in Hounslow, lots of aircraft noise especially late at night when Dubai airport is at its busiest. If Gareth will be working in Media City then you won't want to live in Mirdiff. The traffic to cross the creek is horrendous, in fact, the morning traffic on the Sheikh Zayed Road is horrendous full stop!!!

The Gardens is an apartment community, one of the cheapest ones in Dubai I believe but there is a 1-2 year long waiting list because of that

Hope this helps

Palm Tree

The Interchange will connect The Palm with SZR, Al Khail and Emirates Road. They are also building a tunnel as Media City will continue to grow on the other side next to The Greens.

Palm Tree

There is no need to cross the Creek from Mirdiff, as you can get to Media City on Al Khail Road.

Welivehere

We've been in Mirdif for about 18months now and have seen a fairly substantial rise in rents. You still do get quite a bit for your money but rent's are increasing. If you want a good idea of rents look at Gulf News On-line and go to the classifieds section, in the protry section of there you will be able to get a rough idea of costs (there is always room to haggle a bit)
Amenties aren't great but are improving, you now have a Spinneys at Bin Sougat (about a ten min drive) and once the Uptown Mirdif developement opens later this year / early next then they are saying there will be a lot more amenities catered for there (supermarket / cinema).
Transport-wise you are about 20mins drive from City Centre, 25-30 mins to the Burj, 35-40 mins to Media City (like Palm Tree says you don't need to cross the Creek, it's a few miles more but time wise much quicker). You are under the flight path but it's not that bad (but I used to live near to Heathrow so am pretty used to it).
Personally I like it, it's far enough out that I feel that I'm away from the hussle and bussle but close enough that if i want to go into town it's only a 20 min drive....
HTH

Zannie

Thanks to you all for your comments, we have decided that we are going to go with our original plans of renting within Emirate Hills (The Springs or the Meadows) as this will be a lot more convenient.

Zannie x

Jellybean

Your welcome Zannie, we can be a helpful lot when we get our heads together LOL

Good luck and might see you soon

Zannie

You're welcome JB!
Z