misscmm

Hi all, lurk a bit but have a quick q,

Where are the best places to look for apartments to rent for a short stay (3 weeks, a month maybe)?
Does anyone know of any websites they could point me in the direction of?

Thanks

Claire

Autonomy

You could try hotel apartments. Not cheap, but cheaper than hotel room I'd think.

Have a look at Oasis Court (www.oasiscourt.com maybe?). Nice and central but not cheap.

Loads in Bur Dubai.

What's your budget?

misscmm

I was thinking more residential apartments, not hotels etc...

I'm not really sure about budget to be honest, its all still in the early stages of planning! Just trying to find the cheapest probably for somewhere that sleeps 1-2 people.
I came across this website http://www.holiday-rentals.com/Dubai/r1945.htm and I'm looking for more along those lines....

Autonomy

Did I not look hard enough? - but if so you have a budget of approx 700 quid per week at least? (quid = UK pounds just to state the obvious... approx 6.5 dirhams...)

If so you can take your pick almost. That's a nice budget. Oasis will set you back approx 9,000 dhs per month (ignore the site rates, haggle with everything) that is about 1,250 pounds or so. Cheapest on the site you pointed out for 4 weeks would be about 2,800 GBP per month.

If that is your budget you'll be fine.

You can have my centrally located 2 bed apartment inclusive of roof top pool, gym etc for 700 GBP per week if you like

If you are on a budget of less than that site indicates let me know...

misscmm

Thank you! Its much appreciated!

I was wondering if I could haggle on the prices advertised actually, or get discounts for renting for multiple weeks, especially seeing as it would be low season. £700 a week is pretty expensive for me but I'm liking the sound of the Oasis at 9000 dirhams for a month.

However a 2 bed apartment inclusive of roof top pool and gym for 700 big ones also is very attractive

misscmm

Sorry, read that wrong. Read it as £700 for a month, not week Aah knew it was too good to be true

Autonomy

Maybe I did say that... Watch everything out here, it may not be what it seems at first glance...

Oasis is fine - we stayed there for a while when we moved out to get work. What are you looking for? Convientient and central, spacious and nice, close to a beach, holiday or something else?

That will play a part in your choice... Dubai is very long and thin, beaches kind of at one end, business kind of at the other... sort off. Very far in a taxi, even though they are cheap, if you pick the "wrong" end. And no matter how cheap it is, don't stay in Deira.

So, business or pleasure...?

misscmm

[QUOTE=

Oasis is fine - we stayed there for a while when we moved out to get work. What are you looking for? Convientient and central, spacious and nice, close to a beach, holiday or something else?

[/QUOTE]

Well seeing as it will be my only holiday this year I would quite like spacious and nice, but I'm fairly easy to please!
It's purely on a pleasure basis and hopefully a friend will be returning to Dubai while I'm there so location isn't that important as I'll employ him as my personal taxi driver

I'm also waiting to see if one of my girl friends is going to come with me which would benefit my budget and maybe make me re-think location too. I stayed in Dubai for just over a month to work in 2004 so although I know areas I still feel a bit clueless when it comes to going for a holiday.

misscmm

And as you can see clueless about doing quotes.

Autonomy

OK - you've been here - that should help a bit!

If it was me I'd be hoping / aiming for somewhere Jumeriah / Umm Sequim maybe a nice bit of Satwa (anyone?). You'd be near the beach, near "nice" / "famous" places to go and visit like Madinat, Burj, Sheikh Zayed Road etc though still be near nice (and cheap) beach parks like Jumeirah Beach Park or the totally free (and I think it's fine) beach nick nammed Russian Beach.

If you want "bling" you can pay to go to some of the hotels just for the day and use their pools, beach, facilities etc.

As to how to find a 1 month rent in these areas... possible I'd think - but anyone else here have an idea / know anywhere?

Perhaps there is an internet business as yet untapped out there...

misscmm

A place in Jumeriah sounds good, I've been to that area, never went to Satwa though.

A visit to the beach is defintely on the to do list although not sure how long I'll be able to last in the heat! I'd definately be interested in paying to use the hotels facilities also. I'll look into that.

Is it ok for a female to go to the public beach on her own? I didn't really go to the beach when I was in Dubai but a girl I worked with said she got a bit of hassle when she went alone.

Zannie

Trade Centre Apartment on SZR are good for short term and they are furnished, also Golden Sands in Bur Dubai.

Either that or put an advert up in the supermarkets or in local press, you might get a villa/apartment share on a month by month basis. I'm sure they are people out there looking to earn a few extra quid sub-letting a spare room out for a few months.

Zannie

It is OK, however lots of asian workers get their kicks looking at women on the beach and in some occasions you can get hassle, although the police do patrol the public beaches and sort them out. The best place to go to (apart from the hotel beaches), is the Jumeria Beach Park, only 5 dirhams to get in and you can hire loungers and umbrellas there for a small extra charge (as well as having a small food/drink area), not likely to get hassle there.

Just re-read you post and realised you're coming here for a holiday, the places I previously mentioned will probably rent on a month by month basis instead of a week by week. I friend of mine owns a place in the Marina to let out for holiday makers. He showed me the holiday rental cost plan, and he can potentially make a minimum of a £1000 per week on his place and is fully booked for the foreable future. I'm sure there are plenty of other places out there, just knowing where to look.

CasaNova

a friend of mine has tents for renting near Al Ain road. If you like to exp. true Dubai, then you can rent my fiends Tents.


aed 100 for 1month.

misscmm

Thanks all, I'll look into your suggestions (although I'll give the tent a miss tho CN!) and hopefully I'll get a good deal somewhere.

As for flights, should I wait until nearer the time to book? I'm planning to fly out end of July/August time from the UK so would it be cheaper to wait and see it prices decrease a little?