Dubai property rental advice needed

[RSGulp]

It seems me and my wife will be moving to Dubai later this year. The company is paying for us to travel out to Dubai in April for a look around and while we're there we'd like to get a good idea of areas to live in and types of property we might be able to rent.

The main office will be in Dubai Internet City. No children so schools are not an issue. Ideally we'd like a 2 - 3 bedroom house/villa, driveway/garage, garden and a pool or use of a shared pool.

So...

• Which areas should we plan to check out in April? Given that we've never been to Dubai so really don't know the place (or any of the abbreviated place names I read on here ), are there any really good/recommended areas to live and any not so nice areas to avoid?

• Can anyone recommend a friendly, proactive property rental company that I can contact before we go to arrange a viewing of different types of properties within a low/high price brackets?

Many thanks for any help.

Edited by RSGulp on Wednesday 26th March 19:42

[RSGulp]

Wow, thanks for all the replies so far. I wasn't expecting such a great response so thanks to everyone who has taken time to post. Really useful information. Please keep it coming...

K50 DEL (Derek) I'll send an email via your profile at the weekend with our April dates and schedule. Would be great to meet for a chat if you have time when we're in Dubai.

[RSGulp]

Fats25 said:

OP - Can I suggest you read this thread I started earlier this year? I am same boat as you me + wife (+ 2 cats). No kids.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Some good information in there, and a helpful bunch on the forum .

I have done lots, and lots, and lots of analysis on cost of living (some in this thread, some outside). If you have any questions PM me and I will try and help.

I should know in next 2 weeks if the company can provide what I need. I rejected the initial offer - and am waiting on a counter offer. One thing I have noted is that (advertised) property rental prices have gone up by approx 10% since I started looking at Xmas to now.

Thanks Fats25. I've sent you a PM.

[RSGulp]

Thanks to K50DEL and fats25 for the emails and information.
K50DEL has kindly offered to show me and my wife a little of Dubai when we're there which is much appreciated.

Cheers for the response. I'm sure I'll have a load of questions as D-Day gets closer for us...

[RSGulp]

K50 DEL said:

RSGulp said:

K50DEL has kindly offered to show me and my wife a little of Dubai when we're there which is much appreciated.

Very nice to meet you both it was too.... hopefully you have a little more of an idea of the realities on the ground now and Helen's negotiations go well...... they need to go well, we need the help on the Tuesday night quiz lol

Thanks again for spending so much time showing us around and for all the local insight and information. I owe you several drinks when we're next in Dubai!