Job Discussion Forums

[sanuk]

Hi Everyone

Does anyone know where HCT (DWC) usually live? I anticipate moving in August and need to put 3 kids in school but have no clue where housing may be located. As traffic seems to be a BIG issue I'd want to try and keep work/school/home relatively close. Do we get any choice ? Are there better places to live in Dubai if I had a choice? Is DWC in the Mirdif area and if so what's it like living in Mirdif (I hear it's sort of on the outskirts of Dubai and does not have alot of amenities - but may be developing??)

Also what are the pros/cons of villa vs condo. I have 4 children and would love to have access to a pool also it would be nice if our villa/condo complex had children....

Sanuk

[younggeorge]

You probably won't get much choice, if any. You can express a preference, however, and if it's possible they'll normally go along with it. DWC is not in Mirdif, it's in an area called Qusais (or Al Qusais, or Ghusais or Al Ghusais - English transliteration varies!). There are a number of schools around there and a lot of apartment buildings - but neither the schools nor the apartments are the cream of the crop and I'm not sure whether HCT houses anyone there. Mirdif (about 10 minutes drive from DWC) is the area with the cheapest villas and facilities are developing rapidly - including a couple of schools - but it's not likely you'll get a villa straight off. However, with 4 kids you'll have more chance than most.

Have you made any arrangements for schools yet? If not, then there's not much point asking for accommodation in any particular area - you might find you can't get your children into a school near there or you don't like the schools there.

You've presumably been in touch with someone from HCT Central Services, if not with DWC directly: ask them to put you in touch with the DWC housing officer, who should also be able to advise on schools.

[sanuk]

Hi

thanks so much - I have been in touch with the housing officer and have been corresponding with some moms on a dubai forum - you have all been very helpful.

Sanuk

[caliph]

You'll be lucky to get decent housing of any kind in Dubai on the paltry HCT housing allowance. You're probably entitled to 90-95K with 4 children, and that doesn't get much these days with Dubai"s insane housing market.

Many Dubai workers are moving to Ras Al Khaimah and commuting as the housing there is still reasonable, FOR NOW, this will change too.

[Saphiya]

You may be able to find someplace within your allowance if you look around.



Good luck.