Ian76

I'm a 33-year old, single Brit moving to Dubai in the near future, and was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of a good, reliable estate/letting agent.

I've seen a few sites, but they're all trying to rent places that aren't built yet or are in the middle of being built - I'm not planning on flying a couple of thousand miles to end up living in a construction site!

I'll be working in the WTC, so somewhere fairly central to town or Western end of the highway would be ideal. Also, i'm not a city banker, so won't be looking to hemorrhage cash on a place i'll be moving out of in 3 years!!!

As i say if anyone can post some links or useful web addresses, it would be most appreciated. Also, if anyone has any contact details for expat clubs/organisations in the area, that would also be great.

Thanks

NorthernLad

Try http://www.dubizzle.com/

co durham boy

A couple of points , Dubai is a construction site end off , the biggest unfinished construction site in the world so if you don't like tower cranes and unfinished high rise buildings it's not the place for you fella.

The average life cycle of a 'western-expat' in Dubai is now probably 3 weeks 4 days and 6 hours........President Obama couldn't secure 3 years work in Dubai.

Good luck!

Ian76

Thanks NorthernLad - will check out the site.

*Edit* - Next noob question; what do all the different property 'types' signify? Looking at some of the rental ads, there are various places classified by Type, with either a number or letter, or a number AND a letter...very confusing!

klaus3974

I was guaranteed a minimum bonus payment per year and just got zero for the last two years. So do not take anything here very seriously.
Good luck with the job.

Ian76

My work is guaranteed - unless the entire shipping industry decides to pull out of the Persian Gulf in the next 3 years, i have nothing to worry about...

co durham boy

My work was guaranteed 4 years ago unless the entire construction industry decided to pull out of the biggest fastest growing construction market in the world.........And it did...!!

Do your research on Dubai and phrases like "guaranteed work'" and "nothing to worry about" will become distant rose tinted memories.

Good luck in any case

Ronnie Biggs

Have you got a notice period as long as the remainder of that 3 year contract then?

Ian76

I'll be based in Dubai, looking after our operations all over Africa, India and the Gulf - It's our Head Office for a regional division spanning 2 continents. Like i say, unless someone comes up with a better mode of transport than international shipping, i won't be getting my P45 anytime soon.

On the subject of P45, can someone please explain what the different property "type" codes mean?

Cheers

Roadking

What type of codes are you referring to? Number of bedrooms perhaps...

If you search Dubizzle as suggested above, you'll find a mass of offerings.

TGFKASE

Many villa's were built to a 'type' design. Emirates Hills, Sports City etc..

If you specify the development and code, someone might be able to answer you...

admon

or do a google search for the property location and type - there are floorplans on a lot of the developers and real estate agents websites.

Ian76

Thanks guys - typically, having re-searched dubizzle, i can't find any of those pesky codes!!

Still, lots on offer there so will wade through and see what i can find.

Are there any specific areas where the expat 'communities' are bigger than others, or does it tend to be spread across the area? I've got plenty of experience of Dubai and it's social life, but that's as a visitor and not a resident, so not too sure where the residential 'centres' are.

Cheers

admon

Depends what you are looking for really..
- Quiet Sophistication
- Family Living
- Find as many air hostesses as you can in 6 months
- Drink as much beer as you can in 6 months

Patsy Stoned

If you are working in the WTC then check out their serviced apartments. I don't know how much they cost to rent but they are inclusive of everything including cleaning service and facilities and you won't have to pay the housing tax.