matthew.lewis2

It looks as if I will be based for work near to the Maktoum Bridge (near to the American Hospital).

What areas of the city should I look to rent a Villa that provide relatively easy commuting? My wife and I are looking for a good standard of living in our chosen area, the Villa will likely have 3-5 bedrooms and possibly a pool.

Im trying to use the bhomes.com website but I need to narrow down the areas.

Face81

Hello mate.... I would like to direct you to the following link:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=262045

Look at post #7 and download the "good quality map of dubai" I highly recommed it. After you have downloaded it and zoomed into the areas around Maktoum Br., ask me about which areas you're interested in and I will see if I can offer any help

Good luck!

Oh and welcome to the forums.

MataHari

Hi Mattew,

I don't know when you will be coming over, but have a look at this link
http://www.dubaifestivalcity.com/cit...g/albadia.aspx
This area is nearing completion (although it still looks like a huge builing site, much like the rest of Dubai) and looks promising.
Where ever you live, expect the traffic to be really bad. Dubai is a buildingsite, roadworks everywhere, lots of accidents and even more rubberneckers...
The area around the AH doesn't have villa's as far as I know. Oud Metha is getting nicer now, with some good looking appartmentbuilings but you seem to be looking for a villa. Most of the appartmentbuilings will have a swimmingpool and a gym by the way. You might be looking at the Garhoud area which has mostely older villas and compounds.
A bit further away, about 25 min without traffic jams, is Mirdif. A lot of villas and compounds, both older and new, in all priceranges. With the new Uptown shoppingcentre this area is becoming more attractive and more expensive. It does have the disadvantage of being underneath the flightpath.

Autonomy

Oddly enough - I currently live in Oud Metha right by the bridge and have booked a new apartment in Festival City, moving in Feb 07.

There are some very nice apartments coming up in Festival City called the Hillside.

Why do you want such a huge villa if it is just you and your wife?

MataHari

hehe, I can read your mind....

Yes, Hillside looks very nice doesn't it, unlike all the other Truman show developments. I have lived on Oud Metha road and I must say, after the initial shock, I really liked the area and it's very central. There are some nice new buildings (but never been inside).

lol, I wanted to ask him the same question about the 5 b/r villa....but was to shy to do so

matthew.lewis2

Hi there, I am pleased to see that I have rasied such suspicon

We feel that it is necessary to have a Villa due to the fact that we have dogs who will be coming with us.

Three bedrooms is a minimum in order that we have a space that we are comfortable with, and also so that can accommodate our friends and family when they are over. If we wanted, we could make do with a one or two bed, but that is not the standard of living we have at the moment , or wish for in Dubai.

After speaking with a few property agents in Dubai (subject to how we find the aircraft noise) I imagine we will be based in Mirdif. I have seen some nice properties in Arabian Ranches but I must see how the commute is into the office.

Autonomy

Hi Matthew,

Don't take anything before you've been to see it - you sound (very) sensible in your posts and I'm sure you are... but whatever you do make sure you're in DUbai and have seen the place before commiting too heavily!

The commute from Mirdiff to Oud Metha would be fine - I have friends that do that journey and it may get even better once the Ras Al Khor bridge opens next year.

Festival City will have townhouses - you should take a look.

Arabian Ranches is far out, but not un doable - just depends on if you like having a social life in the evening or not... if you eat and drink out a lot you maybe living in taxis.... please don't drink and drive - the amount of people that do out here really annoys me...

anyways - good luck.

will help with whatever advice I can.

Auto

matthew.lewis2

I will be working near the Maktoum Bridge (near the American Hospital), is this area called 'Oud Metha' then?

I will be in hotel accomodation for the first month which will allow us time to deliberate over what property to rent.

Thanks for everyones replies, real world info is priceless!

Autonomy

Yup - this area is called Oud Metha. The main road through this area is also the Oud Metha Road. Oud Metha is from Lamcy Plaza past the American Hospital to the roundabout near Wafi / Gulf Towers and then down towards Maktoum bridge and the Rashid Hospital etc.

You sound as if you have a little bit of spare cash - but a heads up for you - not sure if you know, however rent is not paid monthly here, rent is in 1 to 4 cheques for the year, so even if you have 4 cheques and you have a 200,000 villa you will need at least 50,000 dhs upfront = 7,100 pounds approx.

MataHari

I don't think the Oud Metha area is a dog-friendly area. There's the nice Creekpark right behind it, but I'm not sure you can bring dogs in there....
In Mirdif there's still a lot of empty bits in between the houses (although fast disappearing) so that might be better suited.

matthew.lewis2

I am aware that this is the way of rentals in the UAE (if only i could get away with that when i rent out our house here in the UK!!)

I have made provisions for that already, however, I am trying to negotiate an interest free loan from my employers so that they bear the brunt of this and not me (but we wil see how that pans out).