Hi all

This is my first post on here, and im very excited that my boyfriend has been offered a job in a school in Dubai so we are moving in August. Cant wait.
We are flying out this weekend to have a look at the school and apartment block its called Discovery Gardens near the Ibn Battuta, anyone heard of it, or know whats its like there?

We are staying in a hotel called The Royal Ascot in the City, does anyone know what this is like as well??

Any help is much appreciated
Claire

Discovery Gardens is a nice place to live but you might want to have a look at some of the other threads about co-habiting in Dubai. Or get married.....

Congratulations! like BR says you should be aware that co habitating is officially illegal, are the school aware that you aren't married? you will need to get a job that will get you a residency visa to enable you to stay here long term.

Discovery Gardens is a new huge apartment development. A bit out of the way and I think a large part of it is still under construction.

forget the worries about cohabiting. If you are both UK citizens then really no problem. even if you don't work you can do Visa Runs.

Royal Ascot or just the plain old Ascot is in Bur Dubai (which is downtown Dubai)..

Its been recently refurbed and i have to admit i have not been their since. I used to stay there prior to the refurb whilst here on business and it was ok...

Just dont go into the irish bar for a quiet drink on a friday...You have been warned

Co-habiting could be more of a problem if they are in company accommodation.

If you are going to get a dog, cat, rhino, duck billed platypus, bacterium or any other life form then , and just trust me this time, do not give it a name beginning with M. Anything else will be absolutely perfect.

My cats are both M's whats wrong with M's???

ask the school teacher in Sudan..

we have come across this before where the employer won't sanction people living together

This would also apply to gay couples too I pressume

Discovery Gardens is nice enough, huge apt blocks BUT you are a bit out of the way, you have to go past the Jebel Ali Industrail park to get in & out of main dubai which by the way is enormous, with regards to cohabiting my girlfriend & I do it but the main difference is that i own my villa where as your's i assume is owned by a company, whatever happens life is defo better here than in UK but your arriving in August !!!!! VERY HOT thats when most expats that live in Dubai go home so be prepared for some serious heat

you can get into Discovery Gardens very easily by taking the slip road off to IBN Battuta, clearly signposted from there. Paul even though you own your property technically you are still breaking the law.

I know but what i meant was its easier as i own my own property, where as if her partners company owns the property they may be reluctant to allow 2 people to cohabitate

true - but probably safe enough if you buy your home furnishings in IKEA of Home Centre.