FAX

Hi all

Just wanted to start a debate (rather than begin with a total newbie set of questions).

If you had carte-blanche to live anywhere in Dubai and have an office locally, where would you want to live and work?

Was thinking in terms of where a single guy in his 20s whose been asked by a successful relative to go to Dubai and set-up a satellite branch for the UK business (internet trading) would want to live work and play (especially more of the latter )?

Would welcome any input

Inselaffen

as a single guy would say the Marina at the moment.
Maybe the Palm once the facilities are all in place.

Bob

Question should be, where can you set up business, that'll probably dictate where you'll want to live then...

Cham128

more to the point, if money were no object, why would you want to work?

The Dean

So Sir Richard Branson (random example) shouldn't bother working then?

As someone (Donald Trump?) once said - money is just a way of keeping score - it's whether you win or lose that REALLY matters........

Cham128

with so much to see and do in the world... why limit yourself?

as a recovering workaholic i've come to the conclusion that money just enables us to do the things we love right?

FAX

Yes I was thinking that too. Last time I visited (Aug 2007) the place was still a building site though (like the rest of Dubai )

Have things moved on a bit, and is there any particular area you'd recommend? I'd be looking at the 2-3 bedroom apartments if I do decide to end up staying. Don't really have a budget in mind, would prefer to look at the best options and then take it from there.

I was thinking that it shouldn't be too difficult to persuade the authorities that I have a legitimate business that requires me to take office space in Dubai Internet City. But I'm coming out again in March specifically to research the requirements for me to get an office started. Any helpful links to previous threads or other websites would be appreciated (I'm using the forum search facility as we speak)

I never said money IS no object. I said if money WERE no object I'm in a very fortunate position though in that the business/financials side of things are very good at the moment

Madam Medusa

jumeirah one, lol...

MM, xx

MacScot

Two or 3-bedroom flat (or penthouse) in Dubai Marina (central part). It's only three minute's walk to the beach and there are many drinking holes, such as the Sheraton, Hilton (great scenic roof bar on Floor 10), Oasis (Charlie Parrot's bar), Grosvenor (Bar 44 and Bhudda Bar), Al Habtoor, Le Meriden all within 5 to 10 minutes walk, and Mina Seyahi (Barasti's bar, 4 minute taxi ride).

Dubai Marina Phase I at the eastern end of Dubai Marina is dry just now - none of the restaurants have booze. Plus, central Dubai Marina is the place to be as you will also be 4 minutes walk to the new Motor Yacht Club (opens May 2008), new Marina Mall and restaurants (opening 2009 and which will be licenced). Plus two new hotels with lots of bars and restaurants are also opening up and within 2 minutes and 4 minutes walk of dubai Marina central.

Also very close to Dubai Internet City.

NorthernLad

There are long waiting lists for office space in DIC, and as with most commercial property here now space is very expensive.

arbroath_abroad

Abu Dhabi

Blue Cat

I agree NL, there are huge waiting list at DIC and Media City, office space is premium. Can I ask you FAX what type of business you are in?

rebeccadubai

I'd live in the Marina if I could. I seem to spend most of my time this end of town, and the beach is just so close.

Also, have friends in JBR and they love it for the beach and being close to bars.

As for it being a building site - isn't everything?

And - JBR are horrible looking, but once your in them, you can't really see the outside, just the beach.. lovely.

FAX

Yes agree everything is a building site lol. I'm thinking I've got my dates mixed up then because last time I was escorted around the Marina it was a ghost town, the highway was done but all the buildings were empty and some were half finished shells, no people about at all.

I was at Dubai Media City in Aug 2007 and was shown an office available at the end of the year but it wasn't convenient for us then as we weren't ready. I've just got off the phone to one of my contacts in Dubai who's telling me 6-12 month waiting lists are the norm but I knew that already. I'm prepared to be patient.

We can hot desk at other people's offices but I'd ideally like to get one of our own as soon as possible. Might even be an idea to have a look at offices further afield (RAK etc.). So much to do, so little time. . .

Hi Blue Cat, course you can, I work in software and my relative has an internet IT supply business (b2b rather than consumer).

Thanks for all the input guys, I can't wait to come out again, I LOVE Dubai, even the crazy traffic. Do the drivers still do that thing where they start honking the horn as soon as the light turns green? It used to happen a lot when I first started going out there (circa 2003) but seems to have tailed off last time I went. Shame, cos I loved the crazy driver mentality that everyone will go faster if we all blare our horns the minute the light goes green (even if you're six car lengths behind! )

Madam Medusa

hahahaha...yeah, they still do it if you don't move within a milisecond of the light turning green...but i think you're right, it's not as frequent as it was when i first arrived 2 years ago. Maybe you just get accustomed to it and don't notice it as much...

MM, xx