Purely Hypothetical.....

Purely Hypothetical.....

Author
Discussion

oilydan

Original Poster:

2,030 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
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....Question.

I moved away from Dubai 3 years ago, family went back to the UK and I went to Saudi. Ended up a smart move as Saudi was somewhat isolated from the oil price crash related layoffs.

Anyway, if I was to be asked to go back to DXB at this time, I know a lot changes in 3 years so...

On bachelor status (as I would not bring the family back) I'd be looking for a 1 bed or studio somewhere reasonably nice, with underground parking and access to a gym. I have seen some Palm places, and some maybes in the Marina, where is the best place now for a man-about-town? Still the same or is somewhere new and upcoming where its at?

Work location would be Al Barsha, near MoE.

And yes, no family does mean I can finally reduce the number of seats required in my mode of transport.

What is the traffic like now? I understand there is a bloody bridge where the SZR goes over some kind of canal at Safa Park? Where are the traffic hotspots to avoid?

Or should I tie in to a 20 year lease in Dibba and hope the Hyperloop happens sometime soon?

IanUAE

2,930 posts

165 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
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Remind me which part of Saudi you are in Dan as I will be spending some time in Shoaiba (near Jeddah) for a few months.

oilydan

Original Poster:

2,030 posts

272 months

Sunday 30th October 2016
quotequote all
IanUAE said:
Remind me which part of Saudi you are in Dan as I will be spending some time in Shoaiba (near Jeddah) for a few months.
Dhahran. East-side.

Psychobert

6,316 posts

257 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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Not sure if I'd qualify as man about town to advise, but I highly rate the Emaar original 6 buildings in the Marina. Well built, well managed, very easy access to SZR - leaving in the morning I have two traffic light junctions and arriving back just one. If you want to get to JBR the tram is right outside, (its a royal PITA is you want to drive there now, but the tram is cheap and efficient - if not that frequent). Only potential downside is its not the cheapest set of buildings, but at least in this case you get what you pay for.

oilydan

Original Poster:

2,030 posts

272 months

Monday 31st October 2016
quotequote all
I used to live on the 5th floor of Emaar's Fairooz tower in 2004.

It was one of the first 6 towers in the Marina. I remember when all this used to be trees (sand). [/nostalgia]

Rich_AR

1,960 posts

205 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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The Marina is a PITA for traffic (especially Thurs eve and weekends). One of the main reasons I moved out of there, plus building management (Bay Central) were like Nazis about anything parking related. But you do get walkable access to decent bars etc.



Edited by Rich_AR on Monday 31st October 09:58

oilydan

Original Poster:

2,030 posts

272 months

Monday 31st October 2016
quotequote all
Marina and JBR was always crappy for traffic.

I'm liking some of the Palm apartments, but traffic was always crappy on/off there too. But they do have access to the fitness centres.

What are the towers overlooking the golf courses near the greens like? And where can I buy an air rifle bandit

The TECOM stuff must be nearly ready now too? And Media City towers?

dxbtiger

4,390 posts

174 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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I couldn't handle the Marina traffic, it was a clusterfk 4 years ago, let alone now

Anyone who disagrees lives there funnily enough, they all live in the 'right part' of it to avoid the traffic but yet all live in different parts of it! I will concede I can see the theory in the Original 6 being the 'right part' and it's a nice development.

Getting on and off the Palm also grinds my gears, especially now it has speed cameras.

We moved from there to a 2 bed in Tanaro in the Green which is one of the towers that overlooks Emirates Golf Club.
Absolutely loved it for the 2 years we were there, still maintain its as good as any view of the sea, Burj Khalifa etc Great pool, corner unit that faced JLT/Marine. Gym in the building (so the missus told me smile). Only 1 parking slot but there is only one of you. Any of the towers from the below list worth looking at. All Emaar so build quality/finish as good as you'll get here.

- Fairways
- Golf Towers
- Tanaro
- Panorama (this is the newest, completed after we left, looks really nice, huge floor too ceiling windows overlooking the course.

Greens is a nice development, dog friendly, the lakes etc give it an almost European feel.

We only left as we wanted a garden (dogs) so upped sticks to Jumeirah Village Triangle.

Definitely worth a look for sure, Barsha Heights (TECOM has been rebranded!) is on your doorstep for some dirty boozers.



Harris_I

3,228 posts

260 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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oilydan said:
What is the traffic like now? I understand there is a bloody bridge where the SZR goes over some kind of canal at Safa Park? Where are the traffic hotspots to avoid?

Just spent a very pleasant half term holiday in Dubai although the kids mourned the loss of some favourite haunts - Chilli's on Beach Road, half of Safa Park. Steroidal expansion still going on, new malls everywhere, feels mental. Traffic is mad as well. What downturn?

I must say I really detest the insistence on re-signing every single exit with the name of a road. I mean, how are we supposed to know that Garn Al Sabkha leads to Jumeirah Islands? Why not just point to Jumeirah Islands? It's the first time I've ever had to use a satnav in Dubai. I suppose that's the trade off to becoming a big city. Hope it doesn't lose too much of its charm from 10 years back.


Harris_I

3,228 posts

260 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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Oh and oilydan, I really envy your opportunity to go car shopping just for yourself. Think I'd take a look at the Corvette C7, something about it really does it for me.


shirt

22,610 posts

202 months

Monday 31st October 2016
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I honestly don't know what the fuss is about marina traffic. I've lived there well over 5yrs now and it's nothing like it used to be and now certainly no worse than the rest of the city hotspots. I will be moving out of there in Jan and really not looking forward to being further than walking distance away from everything.

Tecom has got a lot better dan, as has jlt. Nothing much has changed tbh. Still pricey, still frustrating, still better than Saudi!

On the car front Sam will sell you his evora for way less than 250k although I think for that level of spend I'd want to be in a 997 gt3

oilydan

Original Poster:

2,030 posts

272 months

Tuesday 1st November 2016
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I wonder if I could go for the full Villa experience, and get a lodger in smile

The problem with all these towers is my vertigo. I get dizzy standing on the edge of a curb, let alone a gazillion feet up in a potential towering inferno.

I worry about structural integrity, build quality, etc. etc.

Perhaps I should get a house-boat...

madmupps

5 posts

148 months

Thursday 17th November 2016
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Seriously? I thought you liked Dhahran? Does this mean we can go for trough down Ravi's? Also I'm telling your Missus if you are thinking about two wheels you massive Plank. Oh Yeah.. I expect Biltong and Shawarma.

Psychobert

6,316 posts

257 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
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oilydan said:
I wonder if I could go for the full Villa experience, and get a lodger in smile

The problem with all these towers is my vertigo. I get dizzy standing on the edge of a curb, let alone a gazillion feet up in a potential towering inferno.

I worry about structural integrity, build quality, etc. etc.

Perhaps I should get a house-boat...
Had some visitors from the UK when I was on the 36th floor in one place and the poor chap couldn't even look at the balcony. I'm usually ok with heights, but some of these places do seem quite exposed.. Build quality etc etc.. Yup, I hear you. One reason I'm in one of the original 6 buildings. I'd looked at the house boat option - well liveaboard at a marina and it is doable. Paperwork here with addresses at a pain but it does give me to option of packing up and fleeing more easily. I'm about due a 'sod this place' meltdown. Not had one for a while..

Gaffer

7,156 posts

278 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
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Don't forget that some areas also have that District Cooling /Emicool charges on top of your monthly DEWA.

I know a few people from work who are moving out of these areas as the charges are getting ridiculous.

From the top of my head they are in Motor City, JLT, JBR, The Palm, DIFC and some parts of Business Bay, JVT and The Waterfront, not sure of other places but might be worth asking the question when you go around.

Claire



dxbtiger

4,390 posts

174 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
quotequote all
Gaffer said:
Don't forget that some areas also have that District Cooling /Emicool charges on top of your monthly DEWA.

I know a few people from work who are moving out of these areas as the charges are getting ridiculous.

From the top of my head they are in Motor City, JLT, JBR, The Palm, DIFC and some parts of Business Bay, JVT and The Waterfront, not sure of other places but might be worth asking the question when you go around.

Claire
No district cooling in jvt, unless it's the council flats.

Gaffer

7,156 posts

278 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
quotequote all
dxbtiger said:
No district cooling in jvt, unless it's the council flats.
Oh I thought it was as I saw Nakheel signs as I was looking at a duplex Green Park (I think) ...so assumed it was the same as the Palm and stuff.

OK, so take JVT off the list biggrin