Dubai - Where to live
Discussion
Following my thread on the construction industry in Dubai, we've made the move and are now living in a serviced apartment whilst we decide where to live. We've got a few considerations to juggle so looking for the best compromise and a bit of local knowledge would be really appreciated.
My partner works in DIFC and doesn't want to drive to work (she doesn't have parking and isn't the most confident driver). iIdeally she would use a combination of taxi / metro
I'm likely to be working wherever the work is so will definitely have a car (thread to follow) so we need a car parking space.
We have a dog so ideally a villa / townhouse with garden, she will be in daycare during the week so will need to be somewhere they collect from.
We've been out to the lakes and Arabian ranches which where nice but AR , was too far out to realistically taxi / metro and the lakes is over our budget. The next compromise seems to be the springs but we've heard mixed reports about the quality?
As a curve ball we met up some friends who live on the palm (fairmont) whose balcony was huge and would easily accommodate the dogs toilet needs. We are also told the beach is dog friendly On the palm so this has now become a possibility?
We'd never considered apartment living before, but it appears the apartments are bigger than some houses back in the uk? So could work with the dog, but appreciate dogs are not really all that welcome here.
Anyone got any experience of this? Or could advise on any other areas to live?
My partner works in DIFC and doesn't want to drive to work (she doesn't have parking and isn't the most confident driver). iIdeally she would use a combination of taxi / metro
I'm likely to be working wherever the work is so will definitely have a car (thread to follow) so we need a car parking space.
We have a dog so ideally a villa / townhouse with garden, she will be in daycare during the week so will need to be somewhere they collect from.
We've been out to the lakes and Arabian ranches which where nice but AR , was too far out to realistically taxi / metro and the lakes is over our budget. The next compromise seems to be the springs but we've heard mixed reports about the quality?
As a curve ball we met up some friends who live on the palm (fairmont) whose balcony was huge and would easily accommodate the dogs toilet needs. We are also told the beach is dog friendly On the palm so this has now become a possibility?
We'd never considered apartment living before, but it appears the apartments are bigger than some houses back in the uk? So could work with the dog, but appreciate dogs are not really all that welcome here.
Anyone got any experience of this? Or could advise on any other areas to live?
As suggested above, I think you need to look at old school options ie not the expat developments but places in Jumeirah, - your other halves commute will be a f
k up otherwise.
Getting on and off the Palm would be a pain in the ass as well not driving.
Unless you can find somewhere with a big balcony in JLT for the dog, Metro from there to DIFC is easy.
k up otherwise.Getting on and off the Palm would be a pain in the ass as well not driving.
Unless you can find somewhere with a big balcony in JLT for the dog, Metro from there to DIFC is easy.
I'd suggest looking at the villa/townhouses in Jumeirah Village Circle or Triangle, for a dog you'd need a garden and although some apartment buildings allow dogs, building management like to change their mind with the wind so you could find yourself stuffed with next-to-zero notice of the change.
Yes, it would be a bit of a hike to DIFC for your other half, but with the likes of Careem/Uber on tap, it's less of a bind to get a cab than it used to.
If you really want to go down the metro route, then as has already been said, you might be best looking in 'old school' areas - Satwa has some decent villas, like this: https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/rent/villa-for-re... or https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/rent/villa-for-re...
Yes, it would be a bit of a hike to DIFC for your other half, but with the likes of Careem/Uber on tap, it's less of a bind to get a cab than it used to.
If you really want to go down the metro route, then as has already been said, you might be best looking in 'old school' areas - Satwa has some decent villas, like this: https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/rent/villa-for-re... or https://www.propertyfinder.ae/en/rent/villa-for-re...
Taxi spend will be inevitable anyway unless he OP finds something suitable within 500m of a metro station. Remember he has no idea what a summer commute is like.
For the quoted budget I would say springs/meadows/greens. Dog friendly, plenty of options for walks, good amenities and not too far from the amenities you will inevitably want/need whilst you find your feet.
Also whilst most buildings don't allow pets it's rarely enforced. I'd just question the logic behind keeping a dog in an apartment.
For the quoted budget I would say springs/meadows/greens. Dog friendly, plenty of options for walks, good amenities and not too far from the amenities you will inevitably want/need whilst you find your feet.
Also whilst most buildings don't allow pets it's rarely enforced. I'd just question the logic behind keeping a dog in an apartment.
The Greens is a great shout and within walking distance to the Metro in Tecom (now known as Barsha Heights).
We lived there for two years and loved it.
There is a large lake/park which is perfect for walking the dog and a good selection of shops/restaurants on your doorstep.
Check Dubizzle for property listings.
We lived there for two years and loved it.
There is a large lake/park which is perfect for walking the dog and a good selection of shops/restaurants on your doorstep.
Check Dubizzle for property listings.
I work in DIFC, and travel there every day from Jumeirah Islands.
So similar journey time to JVC/JVT/Meadows/Springs etc. Just a quick perspective on time for this end of town to work every day. If I leave before 08:00 - no matter what time of year I an into the office in 30 mins. At the moment is closer to 20 mins, and is through the Summer. Coming home same journey time if I leave at 17:00 or after 18:30. If between 17:00 and 18:30 - can take up to 40 minutes.
A few mates (some on here) have recently done the Villa search around your budget, and the Villas they have in Al Furjan and JVT are very nice. In my opinion they are the best for that sort of budget but you need to think of the wifes travel. If she wants to save time, taxi is the way forward. If not worried about time - then she can get a taxi to any metro station this end of town (I see people getting dropped off at the one by Emirates golf club in the mornings) and jump metro from there. Coming home get off at Marina, where you can pick taxis up from a hotel/Dubai Marina Mall. I have done a couple of times when out drinking. I would allow an hour door to door.
I see the Greens suggested, and I would think that would knock 10 mins off your journey by train, and probably 5 mins by car.
On the other hand I know a lot of people in my office that live closer to the office, and they typically reside in Souk Al Bahar/Business Bay in apartments, which I am not sure is great for a dog. Others do live in villa in Jumeirah 1, but I know from experience that the quality (of finish) in these areas is not the same as the other end of town. You need to get lucky and find a good one. Journey times to office will be better.
I want to tell you to convince your Mrs to drive as we have a friend of ours here does not drive, and she spends more on taxis than I do in running costs for the year! However something else to bear in mind is that parking at DIFC is quite expensive. The most cost effective way is on the road parking permit - but in August that walk is a very sweaty one!
Good Luck wherever you find - and hope this info is helpful.
One more thing I have never paid more than 70 AED for a taxi - even at peak times to/from DIFC to JI - typically is around 60.
So similar journey time to JVC/JVT/Meadows/Springs etc. Just a quick perspective on time for this end of town to work every day. If I leave before 08:00 - no matter what time of year I an into the office in 30 mins. At the moment is closer to 20 mins, and is through the Summer. Coming home same journey time if I leave at 17:00 or after 18:30. If between 17:00 and 18:30 - can take up to 40 minutes.
A few mates (some on here) have recently done the Villa search around your budget, and the Villas they have in Al Furjan and JVT are very nice. In my opinion they are the best for that sort of budget but you need to think of the wifes travel. If she wants to save time, taxi is the way forward. If not worried about time - then she can get a taxi to any metro station this end of town (I see people getting dropped off at the one by Emirates golf club in the mornings) and jump metro from there. Coming home get off at Marina, where you can pick taxis up from a hotel/Dubai Marina Mall. I have done a couple of times when out drinking. I would allow an hour door to door.
I see the Greens suggested, and I would think that would knock 10 mins off your journey by train, and probably 5 mins by car.
On the other hand I know a lot of people in my office that live closer to the office, and they typically reside in Souk Al Bahar/Business Bay in apartments, which I am not sure is great for a dog. Others do live in villa in Jumeirah 1, but I know from experience that the quality (of finish) in these areas is not the same as the other end of town. You need to get lucky and find a good one. Journey times to office will be better.
I want to tell you to convince your Mrs to drive as we have a friend of ours here does not drive, and she spends more on taxis than I do in running costs for the year! However something else to bear in mind is that parking at DIFC is quite expensive. The most cost effective way is on the road parking permit - but in August that walk is a very sweaty one!
Good Luck wherever you find - and hope this info is helpful.
One more thing I have never paid more than 70 AED for a taxi - even at peak times to/from DIFC to JI - typically is around 60.
Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. We've been looking most of the week and still have a few yet to see. Surprised by the shear difference in quality of a number of the villas / apartments. Went to see a couple of villas that weren't even fit for a dog, never mind human occupation.
Search is ongoing but appreciate in the short term it will be a taxi / metro combination for the wife until she feels more comfortable with driving. I'll give her 3 months until she's fed up with the metro and she starts driving.
Still lots to consider, but thanks again.
Also now appreciate the sentiment on the quality of the letting agents. Given the fees at stake you'd think someone would offer a half decent service.
Search is ongoing but appreciate in the short term it will be a taxi / metro combination for the wife until she feels more comfortable with driving. I'll give her 3 months until she's fed up with the metro and she starts driving.
Still lots to consider, but thanks again.
Also now appreciate the sentiment on the quality of the letting agents. Given the fees at stake you'd think someone would offer a half decent service.
Currently staying in the Ranches and love it. Villas are a bit older and smaller but community is mature, green and has facilities. To me that's more important than having something more modern and spacious on a building site with poor security etc. Everyone's different but there's a choice for all.
Traffic never seems to be an issue for me traveling to DIFC but then I'm in the office 7:30am so miss most of the rush. For a taxi ride, it would be a fair distance but can't be more than 10mins on top of the springs?
Good luck!
Traffic never seems to be an issue for me traveling to DIFC but then I'm in the office 7:30am so miss most of the rush. For a taxi ride, it would be a fair distance but can't be more than 10mins on top of the springs?
Good luck!
Edited by matt_knowles on Friday 16th December 20:42
With regards to the driving for your wife, I hired a car for my wife for first month or so. No fear of any scrapes/incidents. It worked well until she got her confidence up and we bought her own car.
I know a guy runs a car hire place (Calder cars). Is a top bloke and very fair on the hire policy. He understands driving in Dubai attracts small knocks and scrapes.
I know a guy runs a car hire place (Calder cars). Is a top bloke and very fair on the hire policy. He understands driving in Dubai attracts small knocks and scrapes.
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