Where to Live in AD
Apr 3rd 2009, 2:17 am
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland NZ
Posts: 6
Where to Live in AD
In discussions for a job in Port Zayed AD - where would be a good area in town to live on a single occupancy basis and an economic rent? (wife and kids back in NZ saving the money...)
Apr 3rd 2009, 3:58 am
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Where to Live in AD
anywhere... rents are stupid, but closest would be mina or tourist club area but the problem is that salam st is being dug up for the next two years so there is a lot of roadworks and diversions in that area and the noise well 
Apr 3rd 2009, 6:35 am
#3
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: Where to Live in AD
Good luck, you won't find an abundance of 1/2 bedroom apartments in town.
Apr 3rd 2009, 7:11 am
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 13,547
Re: Where to Live in AD
unless its a construction job you might want to take into account that Port Zayed is to close with operations shifting to Port Khalifa (not sure when that is though)
Apr 3rd 2009, 8:27 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 462
Re: Where to Live in AD
Any of these properties would be commutable to/from the port. Of course, they probably won't be available by the time you arrive, and you need your Residence Visa before you can rent, but I offer them merely as examples.
Apr 3rd 2009, 9:52 am
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Where to Live in AD
You could live anywhere in the city and get to work within about 15 mins. For instance, in today's Abu Dhabi Week there are 2 studio apartments, one in Khalidya (Dh85k) and one in Mushrif (Dh75k), a one bedroom on Naida Street (Dh75,00) and a 2 bedroom on Airport Road (Dh145,000).
Any of these properties would be commutable to/from the port. Of course, they probably won't be available by the time you arrive, and you need your Residence Visa before you can rent, but I offer them merely as examples.
Any of these properties would be commutable to/from the port. Of course, they probably won't be available by the time you arrive, and you need your Residence Visa before you can rent, but I offer them merely as examples.
Apr 3rd 2009, 10:06 am
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland NZ
Posts: 6
Re: Where to Live in AD
Thank you all for your comments. I am due to fly into AD around 15th for interview and look around - if I have only one night free where should I go to meet some real expats and get some real answers to all the other million and one things I should be asking about? Thanks in advance
Apr 3rd 2009, 10:31 am
#9
banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,611
Re: Where to Live in AD
The bar on the ground floor of the Al Ain Palace Hotel will be a good place to see the expats of Abu Dhabi in action.
Apr 3rd 2009, 10:51 am
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Cairo :-(
Posts: 376
Re: Where to Live in AD
Agree with BB2, toursit club would be best and cheapest, prices have come down in AD and availability is up
Apr 3rd 2009, 11:37 am
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Far from home!
Posts: 1,024
Re: Where to Live in AD
Apr 4th 2009, 9:18 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69
Re: Where to Live in AD
I just am just in the process from moving flats on Abu Dhabi island and heres what i found.
Studios in converted villas are about AED85k for something half nice, this would be in Areas such as Bateen, Khalydia, Mushrif which are all nice enough and not too far from the Port and other amenities.
One beds seem to go from about AED125K although a friend found one for AED90K once again in converted villas, towers in town centre seem to go for 20% more on average. Seems prices are about the same as a year ago when i moved from Dubai.
I cant understand peoples comments that its impossible to find somewhere, i looked at about 6 flats in 4 days and half of them were perfectly ok. For sure the price is rediculous but theres nothing that can be done about it for now, just dont spend over your allowance. For a family i think it would be hard but for singletons its not hard to find a decent large studio or onebed, what more do you really need if on your own?
You definitely need to act fast though, i lost one i wanted within 24hrs as i was too slow with the deposit. Best go there with deposit and get company to put it in their name whilst visa is getting processed and get them to pay the year upfront and pay them back monthly. There is for sure more properties coming on line as locals are converting their villas to make some fast cash.
Some seemingly good estate agents i delt with were, Future view & Transworld although i didnt actually rent from them in the end.
Studios in converted villas are about AED85k for something half nice, this would be in Areas such as Bateen, Khalydia, Mushrif which are all nice enough and not too far from the Port and other amenities.
One beds seem to go from about AED125K although a friend found one for AED90K once again in converted villas, towers in town centre seem to go for 20% more on average. Seems prices are about the same as a year ago when i moved from Dubai.
I cant understand peoples comments that its impossible to find somewhere, i looked at about 6 flats in 4 days and half of them were perfectly ok. For sure the price is rediculous but theres nothing that can be done about it for now, just dont spend over your allowance. For a family i think it would be hard but for singletons its not hard to find a decent large studio or onebed, what more do you really need if on your own?
You definitely need to act fast though, i lost one i wanted within 24hrs as i was too slow with the deposit. Best go there with deposit and get company to put it in their name whilst visa is getting processed and get them to pay the year upfront and pay them back monthly. There is for sure more properties coming on line as locals are converting their villas to make some fast cash.
Some seemingly good estate agents i delt with were, Future view & Transworld although i didnt actually rent from them in the end.
Apr 4th 2009, 12:50 pm
#14
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Where to Live in AD
I just am just in the process from moving flats on Abu Dhabi island and heres what i found.
Studios in converted villas are about AED85k for something half nice, this would be in Areas such as Bateen, Khalydia, Mushrif which are all nice enough and not too far from the Port and other amenities.
One beds seem to go from about AED125K although a friend found one for AED90K once again in converted villas, towers in town centre seem to go for 20% more on average. Seems prices are about the same as a year ago when i moved from Dubai.
I cant understand peoples comments that its impossible to find somewhere, i looked at about 6 flats in 4 days and half of them were perfectly ok. For sure the price is rediculous but theres nothing that can be done about it for now, just dont spend over your allowance. For a family i think it would be hard but for singletons its not hard to find a decent large studio or onebed, what more do you really need if on your own?
You definitely need to act fast though, i lost one i wanted within 24hrs as i was too slow with the deposit. Best go there with deposit and get company to put it in their name whilst visa is getting processed and get them to pay the year upfront and pay them back monthly. There is for sure more properties coming on line as locals are converting their villas to make some fast cash.
Some seemingly good estate agents i delt with were, Future view & Transworld although i didnt actually rent from them in the end.
Studios in converted villas are about AED85k for something half nice, this would be in Areas such as Bateen, Khalydia, Mushrif which are all nice enough and not too far from the Port and other amenities.
One beds seem to go from about AED125K although a friend found one for AED90K once again in converted villas, towers in town centre seem to go for 20% more on average. Seems prices are about the same as a year ago when i moved from Dubai.
I cant understand peoples comments that its impossible to find somewhere, i looked at about 6 flats in 4 days and half of them were perfectly ok. For sure the price is rediculous but theres nothing that can be done about it for now, just dont spend over your allowance. For a family i think it would be hard but for singletons its not hard to find a decent large studio or onebed, what more do you really need if on your own?
You definitely need to act fast though, i lost one i wanted within 24hrs as i was too slow with the deposit. Best go there with deposit and get company to put it in their name whilst visa is getting processed and get them to pay the year upfront and pay them back monthly. There is for sure more properties coming on line as locals are converting their villas to make some fast cash.
Some seemingly good estate agents i delt with were, Future view & Transworld although i didnt actually rent from them in the end.
Apr 4th 2009, 10:00 pm
#15
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland NZ
Posts: 6
Re: Where to Live in AD
Hey thanks guys for all your comments, much appreciated. If I can be of reciprocal help for anyone regarding New Zealand just ask...
