Job Discussion Forums

[elsamidori]

Hi,

Anyone know what the housing is like for singles - with or without appliances? If a flat, is there usually a balcony? Are neighbors real close? What are the neighborhoods like? During the "cooler" months are there walking opportunities in the area? Can one walk to nearby food marts? to a beach?
What are the opportunities for buying used and new furniture in Aug.?
Finally, how long does it take to get internet and a land line?

Thanks to everyone's kindness in taking the time to answer!

elsamidori

[veiledsentiments]

Since I just went through this with another new hire, I suggest that you get in touch with HR in RAK and they can probably tell you your assignment. Normally in RAK, the housing has fully fitted kitchens... and also a washing machine I think. HCT RAK has always had better than average housing.

Without knowing where you are assigned, it is impossible to say if you can walk to shopping... or for exercise... etc. I'd assume that you will have a balcony as it is very uncommon not to have one in flats.

I don't know about used furniture, but I expect that there will be many heading down to IKEA (in Dubai) to order what they need to do the whole place for a reasonable price, deliver it quickly, and even put it all together for you. I'd bet that there are even places in RAK if one isn't too choosy.

VS

[adorabilly]

Hi Elsamidori

We have been living IN RAK for the last 2 years, so here are some answers to your questions.

Anyone know what the housing is like for singles - with or without appliances?

Usually, singles get a 2 to 3 bedroom villa in a complex (if possible) near other HCT employees. The housing guy has contacts all over RAK, and tries to put singles near each other, and families with kids in similar age ranges together. This incoming class of teachers may be tight as the rumor are over 20 of you will be arriving.

The group who came with us had about a half dozen singles, and they all ended up with rather large 3 bedroom 2 bath villas (they often joked about all sharing 2 of the 6 villas and renting out the other 4... but they were joking that is against the rules.


If a flat, is there usually a balcony?
It most likely WON"T be a flat. Your villa may be two stories, so your second story will be a balcony, or it may be single.

One of the housing complexes has flats which are just as big as the independent villas, so down stairs would have an enclosed yard, and the upper floor would have 2 balconies.

Are neighbors real close?
Depends on which complex you get, or which area you are in. We have a nice sized villa and large walls.

What are the neighborhoods like?
Just like any other place. Some are very nice (Hct housing isn't in those, they are in the more "middle class" areas.) Some are dives (Hct housing isn't in those either).

During the "cooler" months are there walking opportunities in the area?
Lots. It also depends on which complex/area you are in. For example if you are in granada 1 or 2 you are right on the beach, so you can walk the beach, you can kayak, go to the hilton beach club. But if you are in granada 4 you are away from the beach near the hospital and closer to the mens and womens colleges. You can easily walk to local stores (if there are any nearby), or go out exploring. The mountains are less than 20 minutes away for hiking or mountain biking.

Can one walk to nearby food marts? to a beach? see above. some beaches are cleaner than others, some are downright filthy. But you will find those when you get here.

What are the opportunities for buying used and new furniture in Aug.?
There are places in RAK where you can't throw a stick and NOT hit a furniture shop.

On your 3rd or 4th day in RAK, the college will take you to Ikea in dubai and some other places with the "housing allowance" (30K aed) they give you (as a loan which 1/3 is forgiven each year you stay so after a full contract you don't owe anything, but if you leave after 1 year you owe 2/3's back.) you can easily go CRAZY buying furniture.

Personally, I would suggest going to Carefour here in RAK on your 3rd day and buying an AIRMATRESS. then go to dubai Ikea and other furniture stoers and buy smart, don't buy "I need to have a bed" rushed.


Finally, how long does it take to get internet and a land line?
this also depends on where you have been. It took us 14 weeks to get internet I have a friend (who doesn't work for HCT) who has been waiting for a year.
On your 2nd or 3rd day here they will take you to HSBC to open a bank account and to etisilat to get a mobile and order yoru intrnet.

drop me a PM for more information.

EDIT: I just re read the OP and realized that I left out some information about the villas/flats.

They just opened up a complex of LARGE flats called granada 4. These flats are LARGE and EMPTY of all appliances except for the split A/C's in each room. So if they place you there you will need to purchase your own appliances. if they place you in older villas, the usually come with the appliances.

[Noor]

[veiledsentiments]

Hey Adorabilly... hadn't seen you here for awhile and figured that you were on the road. Glad you could drop in and answer Elsamidori.

A friend of mine is single and is getting the 3 bedroom unit... near the campus I think. We discussed renting out the upstairs bedrooms to "bachelors" (10 to 15 a room... two shifts/one group for day another for night). There goes the idea to pick up extra cash.

What kind of AC do they have in their large units. Is it split units so that you can just have it on where you are? I would hate to pay for central AC in a unit that large.

VS

[adorabilly]

Hey Vs.

Na... I have just been staying off of the boards lately. I had heard I upset someone with my posts about RAK, and HCT. (I cant' figure out why honestly, but some folks have thin skins).

as to your question.

the Villas have split AC in the rooms, I haven't see any place with central air (ick that would be horrible to pay for)

Noor.

Well HCT will take you to Ikea on like your 3rd or 4th day here, so you can always go ACROSS THE STREET to Ace hardware (and get their air matresses).

Don't worry, I'll give you my mobile #, give me a call when you get here, and I'll be happy to show you around and help you get some starting shopping out of the way.

One thing to pay attention to is that you will be landing right before or during Ramadan. Which gets annoying on your first day here, cuz you wake up and want to get breakfast, but no place is open selling food. Hopefully they will get you gift baskets with water and some basic food to hold you over.

[Noor]

You truly are "adorable." I look forward to meeting you.

I'm surprised, though, that the Hilton (where we'll be camped our first week) won't be serving breakfast. Might room service be possible?

[adorabilly]

Noor.

I'm not sure of that... but I wouldn't count on it (or you might just be hungry

I'll give you my mobile # in PM and call me that morning if they don't have food.

Usually you have to wait to get your "lunch money" for the first week (which is part of your first months salary as an advance) until the 3 to 5 pm on the day after you arrive.

so bring some cash that you can change at the money changers (you don't have to do it at the airport, you can at the mall next to the hilton)

and carefour is open so you can walk down to the mall, and pick up food and water and take them back to the hilton. But if you don't know that, you may wake up and be trying to get breakfast... and if it is ramadan (I'm not sure of when you all arrive, and when ramadan starts) then it is an annoyance that you may not be expecting.

[veiledsentiments]

Most hotels serve their meals in a private area for non-Muslims and room service is available all day. I shouldn't think that RAK would be different from the rest of the country/area. (tho... one should never assume... )

I remember when I arrived, the next morning they delivered my first week expenses and the furniture allowance... in cash!! That was quite the wad of money to be handed at breakfast. Of course, I was the last teacher to arrive, so they had everything down to a science.

HCT has always taken very good care of their new arrivals.

VS
(sweet of you to be so helpful Adorabilly... no summer travels this year?)

[elsamidori]

I will answer PMs when I have the required posts, or people can send me alternative email address.

Thanks for all the info, everyone!

elsamidori

[adorabilly]

Hey VS.

We live in Phoenix Arizona.

why should we hop on a jet, with 3 kids from 12 down to 9, for 16 hours (with layovers) go to to a much bigger city, more crowded that is JUST AS HOT, JUST AS HUMID, when we can stay here?

I mean when you think about it the only real differences are
1. change all the indian food places with mexican food
2. change all the camels and goats with cows
3. change the beach with the desert
4. all the women here are covered in black, and all the women in phoenix strip down to halters and shorts.

other than that there isn't much difference... the driving is almost as bad

as for the hotels and room service... I THINK they do, but I'm not sure... and do you really want to pay HILTON hotel room service prices?

if you are single it is ok, i guess, but know that it is about 4 to 6X more than it would cost you at regular resturants or if you buy it yourself.

[veiledsentiments]

Makes sense to me Adorabilly. I winter in the Phoenix area, though I find the winters there a bit chilly to be honest. But, better than in my summer geographic area.

And for newbies... fresh to the climate... room service might seem better than the idea of going outside. Not too often, of course... but maybe the first day.

VS

[tmac-100]

Hey Adorabilly,

I totally agree with your comments about folks getting distressed needlessly over honest comments posted here....

Maybe the Hilton folks will get distressed when I mention my favourite breakfast place (run by folks from Bangladesh I think) across the dusty parking lot from HSBC in Old RAK. Breakfast consisting of 2 scrambled eggs with tomato, a salad (with lemon halfs that you squeeze the juice out of, for dressing), a big nan/bread just out of the oven and a tea - all for 6.50 Dh. If you want chick pea curry instead of the eggs then it is 4.50 Dh. Meat (chicken/mutton) curry will cost about 8.50 Dh.

You can tell them about the take out service, and the patrons, the staff, and the atmosphere - typically RAK. Or... we can just let them experience that restaurant for themselves

Did you get my PM a couple of weeks ago?

[adorabilly]

hey Tmac.

I got your pm. Warsaw sounds great and lots of fun. We may do that next summer when going back to phoenix.


your breakfast place is quaint, and filled with locals. It is part of the charm. I prefer their lamb chop dinners for 11AED with the salad and bread. The same (or smaller lamb chops) at Tower Links is 60.

it is all about finding the little hole in the wall resturants. Have you made it back to Canada?

[Noor]

Chole bhature for breakfast. Sounds like my kind of place. Thanks for the tip, Tmac.