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Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Old Aug 27th 2007, 10:13 am
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Smile Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

currently I am packing up in the UK and moving to Abu Dhabi to take up permenant job next month. As I have not visited before, can anyone advise on:

1. Decent apartment rental agents (please, only expats with direct experience to respond). Looking for 2 bed with gym facilities close by
2. neighbourhoods to avoid
3. Details of any local scuba diving sites/dive clubs/activities
4. How to meet people socially..

Any information would be a huge help!
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 11:05 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Originally Posted by weescot
currently I am packing up in the UK and moving to Abu Dhabi to take up permenant job next month. As I have not visited before, can anyone advise on:

1. Decent apartment rental agents (please, only expats with direct experience to respond). Looking for 2 bed with gym facilities close by
2. neighbourhoods to avoid
3. Details of any local scuba diving sites/dive clubs/activities
4. How to meet people socially..

Any information would be a huge help!
re 1+2) tricky, try Homestyle (http://www.homestyle-property.co.ae/) and the Khalifa Committee (www.ejarat.ae/searchProperty.do). Generally, its pretty hard to look for smth from a distance, since the market is pretty tight and available apartments are rented quickly. Area depends a bit on personal lifestyle, but the Khalidiya and Corniche areas usually gets the thumb up from a lot of folks.

3+4) check out the hiltonia club attached to the Hilton hotel and 'The Club' (www.the-club.com) for both, activities and, the latter one to meet people socially.

BTW www.abudhabiwoman.com is also a good resource to find your way around.

Hope that helps.
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 12:12 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Hi there, I would recommend Le Miredian, they do have diving Center and there is nearby a complex of allBars and Rests very nice place to meet and socialize while having diner or a Drink - good luck
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 12:38 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Originally Posted by weescot
currently I am packing up in the UK and moving to Abu Dhabi to take up permenant job next month. As I have not visited before, can anyone advise on:

1. Decent apartment rental agents (please, only expats with direct experience to respond). Looking for 2 bed with gym facilities close by
2. neighbourhoods to avoid
3. Details of any local scuba diving sites/dive clubs/activities
4. How to meet people socially..

Any information would be a huge help!
Salsa nites - Tuesday, Zenith. Thursday, Pomodore.

Scuba is not great around Abu Dhabi - the East Coast is better, Oman is better still...

Nice 'hoods - Khaladiyah, Bateen, Corniche. Tourist Club area is the right side of OK.

Letting is a nightmare & the few nice apartments go within days or even hours. Good luck!
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 8:26 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Thanks for all the information provided. Bit worrying that the apartment rental market is so difficult. I only have 2 weeks to look! Do many expats buy their own?
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 8:27 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Originally Posted by weescot
Thanks for all the information provided. Bit worrying that the apartment rental market is so difficult. I only have 2 weeks to look! Do many expats buy their own?
Not in Abu Dhabi..
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Old Aug 27th 2007, 11:19 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Option to buy in AD is very restricted to particular develpments-mostly off plan with completion dates projected to 2009/2010.Some properties available to buy from Emirati first time owners in Raha Gardens but price exhorbitent and comprable to Paris or London.No opportunities yet to buy to sell on at a quick profit or flip. Nothing like the Dubai market.Rentals can be had but usually after a lot of legwork and chat with watchman.An Agent will charge you 5-6% of annual rent on any property he introduces you to.
There are no'bad' areas in AD.On island-Off island-distinction.
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Old Aug 28th 2007, 6:31 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Wow - do any expats actually live off-island??? I've never met anyone who does?
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Old Aug 28th 2007, 8:21 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Thanks - these little snippets are great. I don't really want to buy - have property in the UK. I just want a decent apartment.

So, on island is where to look, chat to building doorman/watchman, act quick yet be patient and hold my nerve....

thanks again.
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Old Aug 28th 2007, 8:24 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

And come along to a BE Abu Dhabi night out.

One of our members (revilo) made valiant efforts to organize one this Thursday, but it seems the Abu Dhabi members are not the party-people that the Dubai chapter is....
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Old Aug 28th 2007, 8:35 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

thanks. I am a party girl, but usually need a day to recover from the working week... Friday night is my night if I am not away diving of course...

will check threads for next BE night out.
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Old Aug 29th 2007, 6:07 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Originally Posted by numbercruncher
re 1+2) tricky, try Homestyle (http://www.homestyle-property.co.ae/) and the Khalifa Committee (www.ejarat.ae/searchProperty.do). Generally, its pretty hard to look for smth from a distance, since the market is pretty tight and available apartments are rented quickly. Area depends a bit on personal lifestyle, but the Khalidiya and Corniche areas usually gets the thumb up from a lot of folks.

3+4) check out the hiltonia club attached to the Hilton hotel and 'The Club' (www.the-club.com) for both, activities and, the latter one to meet people socially.

BTW www.abudhabiwoman.com is also a good resource to find your way around.

Hope that helps.
Piece of advice - the Khalifa Committee is run on a lottery due to the demand for low cost accomodation. You draw a number, if you win (a slim chance), you get offered a fixed location accomodation i.e. if you don't like it, they you have to re enter to the draw. My advice - don't bother.

As for agents, work on the assumption they are all crooks unless proved otherwise. Hayatt were good, pm me for contact numbers, and my colleague had a good experience with Asteco. Do not pay any "viewing fees", its illegal and a sign of a shoddy operator.

If you see somewhere you like - take it immediately, as apartments tend to go within hours. Typical prices now AED 70,000 per annum for one bed, 95 - 110k for two bed, 110k plus for three bed. Villas start at around 140k plus and upwards to 250k plus.

Again, PM me if you need any more advice, I did all this last year and I would have sorely liked some guidance then!
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Old Aug 31st 2007, 7:25 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Do people really move 3,500 miles without having visited & checked a place out??
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Old Aug 31st 2007, 11:47 am
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Yes - well travelled and already visited UAE on previous occassions (plus denied luxury of advance visit due to family member hospitalisation in UK).
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Old Aug 31st 2007, 1:44 pm
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Default Re: Moving to Abu Dhabi - advance information?

Originally Posted by weescot
Yes - well travelled and already visited UAE on previous occassions (plus denied luxury of advance visit due to family member hospitalisation in UK).

Well, good on you for making a big decision on moving out here - I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Good luck - hope everything goes smoothly for you, if it doesn't there's plenty of folks here to help.
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