Job Discussion Forums

allegro · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 2

Dear All,

I am considering a potential job offer at Al Ain and just got some questions.

1. Are there any hassle in terms of exchanging money back to my local currency on a constant basis?

2. Are there any piano shops or piano tuners around in Al Ain?

3. Any social life in Al Ain for ex pats?

4. Internet censorship, is it true that skype is not allowed in UAE? Any good way to get around this problem?

I have been to Al Ain but having been to many cities around the world, I think it is not really that attractive as a place to live, but it does offer a fairly attractive package salary wise.

Any advice warmly received, I am particularly interested in knowing about Q2 above as Al Ain is probably not a very cultural city.

Allegro

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

Dear Allegro,
If you scroll down the UAE forum page, you will find a thread comparing life in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and another specifically addressing life in Al Ain. The answers to most of your questions should be there.
As for a piano shop/tuner, someone else will have to answer that one! However, I did know people with pianos when I lived there Very Happy

MrS

allegro · Joined: 01 Jan 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks for your reply!

Actually I thought about using the Search function before posting the questions, but for some reason every time I click that it logged me out and ask me to login again and it keeps on doing that...

I did read about a couple of posts about bad banks like HSBC and best to avoid them etc... for foreign exchange, but looks like there is no general recommendation as to the best bank so far!

I think Al Ain will be challenging to live at least to begin with, but could be an interesting life experience!

Allegro

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

Al Ain really isn't that bad, all things considered.

Back during my days with DU (the "other" phone company out of Dubai) it was possible to download and use skype without any problems. It's been a couple years though... Others say that if you donwload it to your laptop before leaving wherever is is that you are, you will be able to use it here.

Social life in Al Ain is limited compared to Dubai and AD, but there are still a few choices for food and drink in the local 5 star hotels if you desire an alcoholic beverage. The big cities are only 120 km and 160 km away anyway.

Exchanging currency has never been a problem in the UAE in general. There are plenty of places to do that everywhere.

The "culture" issue always amuses me. If by culture you mean museums and concert halls and other typically western cultural venues and activities, then, yes, you will be disappointed. However, note that you will always be surrounded by local culture. By that I mean: mosques, souks, people wearing different clothes, speaking another language, behaving differently, etc. Also the UAE is replete with activities such as camel racing, desert safaris, hiking, and so on. There are also a few museums that are worth the trip!

If you decide to move here, keep an open mind and make the most of it! It ain't that bad really.

MrS

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

Get a VPN before you leave home, this helps with the Internet issues. It's not just SKYPE that is a problem. It's well worth the $15 per month to be able to access the Internet unencumbered by the screen of death.

We've never dealt with currency exchanges. If you've got a decent bank back home, you should only have to pay 1% to withdraw funds via ATM. Some employers require you to set up your account with a specific bank. There are horror stories about all banks, services, etc. in this country. It comes with the territory.

Smallbore · Joined: 20 Dec 2009 Posts: 13 Location: Dubai, UAE

House of Arts in Al Ain should answer any questions about music, musical instruments, but people I know in the Emirates invariably have keyboards rather than pianos. There has been a programme of classical and world music being brought to Abu Dhabi Emirate, and they make sure at least some of it goes to Al Ain. Quite a bit of it has been free or very cheap, too - free open air concerts in the fort, for example. So, no it's not entirely dead. There are some cinemas, including a 3-D one, but its purely hollywood. There used to be a great European Film club but it didn't run this year - I don't know why.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 10:21 am Post subject:

2. Are there any piano shops or piano tuners around in Al Ain?

For a piano tuner you need to bring someone from Dubai or Abu Dhabi - people here try to coordinate so that the tuner can do several jobs in one day. Keyboards are good value, and a touch sensitive keyboard won't need tuning.

3. Any social life in Al Ain for ex pats?

Plenty. There are various options - Natural History Group, Rugby Club, drama, choral society, music festival in the spring, camping in the desert, free buses to concerts in Abu Dhabi, easy to get to Dubai Literary Festival... we still need more decent restaurants and social drinking venues in Al Ain though as the options here are limited. The few bars get overcrowded at weekends.

franciebw · Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 12 Location: UAE

I've been in Al Ain since September and I love it! It is small, but there are some really good things about that. I feel it's easier to find typical western cultural activities here then in AD or Dubai, not sure why. And there is a social scene, probably one where everyone knows your name. You don't have to get a liqueur license (once again, not sure why), so it's nice that you don't have a quota and can make your own party.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

There is even an Alcoholics Anonymous Group !

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

Fanciebw, beware that according to UAE law, it is illegal to buy, transport and keep liquor at your house without a liquor licence. So, while it is indeed possible to purchase alcohol without this document in Al Ain, the law still says you can get in a heap of trouble for it.

In fact, I remember a few years back the F & B manager at the InterCon was held in custody for a couple days because the hotel was operating such a liquor store -- hole in the wall where nobody was asked for a licence. The police raided it (as they occasionally do) and all hell broke loose...

The hypocrisy of it all does not -- alas -- invalidate the laws. Get that licence! I'd be surprised if you ever reached your purchasing quota Laughing

MrS

Iamherebecause · Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 10:05 am Post subject:

And should you be caught driving under the influence and not have a liquor licence - well - that's EVEN worse than being caught driving under the influence while in possession of a liquor licence.

Another point in Al Ain's favour: taxis are cheap and no longer too hard to find; there are a load of new taxis with competent drivers, functioning rear seatbelts etc. So take a taxi home to avoid running foul of the zero tolerance of alcohol law.

homeless vet · Joined: 01 Apr 2009 Posts: 80

I think it's hilarious how the Emerati men pull around to the side or back of the liquor stores and get stuff delivered out to their SUVs. They even smile and wave, like we're kids involved together in mischief. I take out mutt our to the wadis and dunes to roam during the day and see a whole lot of empty beer and liquor bottles strewn at the sites of campfires the night before.

HCEG1 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 36

Skype works fine throughout the UAE