Job Discussion Forums

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Fujairah - the housing will probably be better and closer to the college.
Fujairah - 2 hours from the bright lights and big cities and the nearest decently sized shopping mall; you may be under the watchful "eyes" of your colleagues who will feel the need to discuss your every move - or you may see it as a plus that it is a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Limited entertainment unless you're an outdoorsy type. Overpriced club memberships.

Sharjah - it's big enough that you can manage to keep below the radar of the various henchmen of the Super Duper Director. Sharjah itself, traffic is horrendous at the best of times. It is dry and you can't buy pork but if you're close to a border with Dubai or Ajman or willing to go up to UAQ or RAK it's not a big issue. Housing, for singles, is usually on the Buhaira Corniche which means your commute will be long and you will spend long hours trying to find parking when you come home (even though you will have to buy a parking permit). Some might say being adjacent to Dubai is a plus - the commute is often the same from Fujairah as it is from Sharjah

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Are there movie theaters in Fujairah?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject:

Yep...

NCTBA

helloworld2009 · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 43

I dont like the sound of Fujairah or Sharjah at all! Surprised

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

helloworld2009 · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 43

I was being a bit too harsh!

I think Fujairah would be great!

I love beaches, and it would suit me and my family no end. And Duabi is 'only' 2 hours away....

Where you going from MEB? Good luck with your move....

cheers,

hw2009

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Thank you hw2009.

I'm leaving from the U.S. (If I'm more specific somebody might determine my identity, and, like Superman, that would be catastrophic!!! Cool

Maybe I'll see you there!

MEB

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Sorry but if you're going to Fujairah to teach, the reasonable employment options there are very limited if you think you can remain incognito - (unless there are 2 new people arriving, in which case you might be able to keep them guessing Laughing

)

The only caveats on the beaches are (a) oil deposits from ships cleaning out their tanks - illegal but it happens - baby or cooking oil are good options for removing it from your skin and (b) sometimes glass, a lot of the people who use the beaches leave trash (hey, it "disappears" doesn't it) and the bottles can get broken - I recommend surf shoes.

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

johnslat · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:52 pm Post subject: Presto Changeo

Dear Middle East Beast,

But do they still have those old-fashioned phone booths there?

Regards,
John

Middle East Beast · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 836 Location: Up a tree

Dear John,

I always take one with me when I deploy. Expensive, but definitely worth it!

Funny thing, no one has ever asked me why I have a phone booth in my living room...yeah, I think I can fool 'em.

MEB

johnslat · Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:20 pm Post subject:

Dear Middle East Beast,

They probably just assume you're Dr. Who.

http://img3.travelblog.org/Photos/30523/188314/f/1398381-Dr-Who-Phone-Booth-0.jpg

Regards,
John

helloworld2009 · Joined: 24 Jun 2009 Posts: 43

btmline · Joined: 23 May 2007 Posts: 2 Location: UAE

Spent three years there - loved it. Small but not too small, affordable (especially compared to DXB and AUD), very nice accommodation, no traffic, the right mix of crazies and reasonable folks, and great students.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

Fujairah is a small place, even small for expats - that said, most of the people you work with are fine. I found that the constant meeting of the same people, socializing with the same people, listening to the same people, putting up with comments about my private business from the same people and the social keeping score was annoying (by keeping score, I mean - "you had a dinner party and didn't invite me, I invited you to my last dinner party, why didn't you invite me" type of childishness.

I didn't mean to insinuate the beaches were toxic waste dumps but it is depressing to go by on Friday or Saturday mornings and see the KFC detritus, plastic bags, foil take away containers, etc. blowing by before the either "disappear" in the wind or the local trash workers get some of it.

The oil situation is not dire, but it too is annoying - you can ruin a good pair of running shoes before you learn to wear crap footwear to the beach.