Arabian Ranches

[6th Gear]

We moved to Dubai in 2007 and have always rented. There are no plans to return to the UK for the foreseeable future so it seems silly just throwing money away on rent with little to show for it. We've seen a property in Arabian Ranches, Palmera to be specific, which we like.

What's the PH view on the area? I work in the DIFC and did the commute this afternoon in just over 20mins. How is the journey during rush hour? Any other pointers gratefully received.

Thanks guys.

[XB70]

6th Gear said:

We moved to Dubai in 2007 and have always rented. There are no plans to return to the UK for the foreseeable future so it seems silly just throwing money away on rent with little to show for it. We've seen a property in Arabian Ranches, Palmera to be specific, which we like.

What's the PH view on the area? I work in the DIFC and did the commute this afternoon in just over 20mins. How is the journey during rush hour? Any other pointers gratefully received.

Thanks guys.

Hi. I thought I would chime in since I live in AR and work across from DIFC (literally across the road).

We love AR. Feels like a nice community although there are different levels of 'feel' in there depending on where you live. Some are a lot nicer than others with bigger houses etc but overall nice. Shopping centre and medical centre is very handy and used a lot.

Transport wise it is great. About 20 mins to work for me too (depends on the time of the morning - about 30 mins if you left AR around 7.30am) and easy and quick to get to the Marina, Mall of Emirates, Jumeriah or Dubai Mall.

That is sits next to a 120kph freeway that you enter directly onto from the main gate (with a nice 'easy right' from the roundabout and a useful slip road to allow 5-120kph acceleration to 'merge is great. Petrol station just up the road.

Straight run to the airport, Mirdiff Mall, Dragon Mart etc. Easy to get to Ace and Times Square area and also to Festival City.

Pools are lovely, great atmosphere and occasionally the odd F-16 on afterburners heading to the air force base.

We love it there.

The only thing I would caution is where you are looking in relation to the sewerage plant area which is down near Palmera (read smell!)

[rabailey]

And security can be a PIA about mutiple cars, working or even storing stuff in the car port and they have even "banned" washing your car !!!!

[XB70]

rabailey said:

And security can be a PIA about mutiple cars, working or even storing stuff in the car port and they have even "banned" washing your car !!!!

That note did come around....most tend to ignore it and so am I :-) I did not buy a Karcher jet washer for nothing.

Also, they are 'iffy' about taking shortcuts through communities that are not yours. They have put up a big sign at Saheel warning people (usually us plebs in Alma) not to use it as a shortcut to Motor City exit.

Vague references to a playdate at the pool, keep inching forward and they tend to just open the gates :-) That being said, I do make an effort to try and get to know the various guys on the gates so not yet had a problem but in most cases, it is faster to just drive around.

Some people are taking the mickey with the carports though in terms of what they are storing there!

- barely used tire
- box of old brake discs, pads and other parts nicely left in the boot of my car by the fine folk at Liberty

I missed out on buying an R129 SL500 project car from someone in Motor City for 5000AED. Not running but would look good sitting there and for the kids (and me) to play in and make vroom vroom noises. Am sure AR management would have loved that

Edited by XB70 on Tuesday 16th December 13:47

[IanUAE]

rabailey said:

And security can be a PIA about mutiple cars, working or even storing stuff in the car port and they have even "banned" washing your car !!!!

Well people have 3 Pajero's and an MGB, have a British car that needs "routine" maintenance and have more tools than the semi works McLaren team what do you expect.......

[6th Gear]

XB70 said:

The only thing I would caution is where you are looking in relation to the sewerage plant area which is down near Palmera (read smell!)

Will investigate!

Thanks for the comments Gents, much appreciated.

[Hitch78]

We lived in Alma for two years and really liked it. I don't play golf but having the Ranches Golf Club in walking distance for dinner or a quick pint is a nice rare touch.

[rickybouy]

We bought in Ranches just under 2 years back and are in the process of looking for a bigger place here, love it here very good community and feel very settled in Dubai which i never really did whilst renting. PM me if you need any specifics regarding service fees etc.

Cheers Rick

[Randompunter74]

Been here 6 years and love it. In Alvorada, just across the way. Best villa community in Dubai I you ask me. I commute to Dubai Media City. 20.mons in morning, 15 to 20 in evening. Fine to the DIFC. maybe 25 mins to half an hour depending on traffic around DIFC. (My wife used to work there)

Drive into work is awesome, roads are awesome. and, autodrome is opposite. What more could you ask for. loads of decent shops nearby, midriff city centre 15.mons away. Easy to get into any part of Dubai.

Downside, it's pricey now.

[longstride]

Hi all AR dwellers

I've stayed at a friend's house in this neighborhood and was pleasantly surprised. We are looking to move pending a job offer and this would be our first choice. any advice on letting agents who have a good grasp of this community and can help us secure a property?

thanks!

[XB70]

There are two real estate agents with permanent kiosks inside the Ranches shopping centre. They are a good start to see which community you want.

There is someone in our community (Alma 1) who seems to have decided that a smallish 3 bedroom villa is fine but will stick an Ferrari F12 in the carport. Well done that man (or woman!)

[6th Gear]

Greg Ware at Allsopp & Allsopp is your man.

T: [phone]
M: [phone]

Please feel free to say Adam referred you.

Good luck.

[dxbtiger]

XB70 said:

There are two real estate agents with permanent kiosks inside the Ranches shopping centre. They are a good start to see which community you want.

There is someone in our community (Alma 1) who seems to have decided that a smallish 3 bedroom villa is fine but will stick an Ferrari F12 in the carport. Well done that man (or woman!)

It's all about priorities, my neighbour is a 1 bed townhouse with a Martini liveried 991 GT3 in the carport!

[jack.bauer]

thanks XB70, 6thgear

[TNW]

Hi Folks, we're also considering a move to AR (Probably Palmera). What's the traffic like in the mornings heading to DIC & Tecom? Are the roundabout exits at Studio City a bit of a nightmare?

[dxbtiger]

TNW said:

Hi Folks, we're also considering a move to AR (Probably Palmera). What's the traffic like in the mornings heading to DIC & Tecom? Are the roundabout exits at Studio City a bit of a nightmare?

Hessa Street to DIC is a fking disaster that way in the mornings by the way and the same coming back in the evening.

I'd say use the new Garn Al Sabkha Street but traffic backs up from DIP roundabout on MBZ a lot of the time.

Umm Suqeim street onto SZ is probabaly best bet.

[TNW]

dxbtiger said:

Hessa Street to DIC is a fking disaster that way in the mornings by the way and the same coming back in the evening.

I'd say use the new Garn Al Sabkha Street but traffic backs up from DIP roundabout on MBZ a lot of the time.

Umm Suqeim street onto SZ is probabaly best bet.

Cheers for the info, I'll have to try it out in the mornings. Had a look around the neighborhoods last week, didn't realise how nice it is. I expect it's where we will end up.