Job Discussion Forums

[huriyyahsmum]

Good Day All,

Question: What is ADEC's reputation on the housing front for expats? Standard, sub-standard (please explain how it's sub), or luxury ? In addition, which place would yield better housing: Abu Dhabi or Al-Ain? I did a little research and noticed that you get more for your money in Al-Ain. We (husband, myself, and two kids) are hoping for a villa but would be satisfied with a nice apartment/flat.

[Zoot]

Hah! Good luck on the villa wish! If you're going to get 'more' for you money it's because of the usual difference between prices in a city and beyond.

[Sunburnt Individual]

for ADEC and the better PPP providers, I've seen several families of THREE put in a 5 bedroom single family villa with a wall around the property. The worst I've seen them housed in is a 2 bedroom apartment that was adequate and comfortable, but not spacious. All the people with families seem to have gotten full villas to themselves after a year in an apartment. All the 2 bedroom places seem to be housed by one person now.

I'm in Al Ain. I think Abu Dhabi is a little harder in terms of real estate availability. Al Ain's kind of bad that way for a single person or anyone not looking/able to afford a villa. Some friends in Abu Dhabi were housed in a hotel for 6 weeks-ish until their apartments were ready.

ADEC has money and they use it.

[Zoot]

You need to find some ADEC employees in Al Ain and have that confirmed! Good luck.

[mafimishkala]

There are lots of rumours that go around in the emirates but just from my own observations of friends and contacts; Abu Dhabi is going to see quite a big change by the end of the summer.Lots of people are leaving and prices are going down on a weekly basis at the moment mainly for villas.We have some empty villas near us and prices are going down significantly.I'm sure apartments will follow especially as many towers near completion.
Al Ain is obviously cheaper but if you are prepared to look again later at Abu Dhabi I do believe the situation is encouraging.

[ap4058]

Whats the going average rate of a 2 bed appartment/house/place of dwelling at the moment in Al Ain or Abu Dhabi?

[wintermute2]

...I have read the information in this excellent forum, and have not come across any discussion of where/how to do laundry... I was up for a postion in Kuwait, and the employer provided a washer/dryer unit in the apartment...I am gathering that it will not be that way in Dubai or Abu Dhabi...can anyone shed some light?...thanks!

[johnkg]

[wintermute2]

...thanks so much johnkg!...that is kind of what I was figuring...I will keep a good thought, and stock up on detergent!

[Sunburnt Individual]

I think that depends on whether your employer provides your housing or not. I've not yet seen someone with employer-provided housing who lacked any large appliances like a fridge or a washer.

If you find a place on your own though, I think it depends on your landlord and if you're renting furnished or unfurnished.

[wintermute2]

...thank you, Sunburnt! <<checking my coupon box for laundry detergent coupons!>>

[MilkSheikh]

Hi,

Can anyone confirm where the Abu Dhabi CFBT staff with families live? Do they all live together in an area or are they all spread out?
I need this information so we can enrol our child into a nearby school. A detailed response would be hugely appreaciated and remove so much stress for us.

[veiledsentiments]

I always had to purchase my own washer and dryer... in Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. It used to be that Dubai landlords provided appliances, but there were only two buildings in Abu Dhabi that did (both owned by Dubai Shekhs). It depended on many variables, city... employer... landlord. I would assume that you will have to buy your own. Don't bother with coupons... they are not good there and every supermarket sells detergent. (many the brands you are familiar with from home).

milksheikh (love the screen name... ). Most families do not choose their schools based on where they live. They choose the schools that provides the education that the kids need (US, UK, IB, India, Phillipines)... and has space to enroll them. I would pick the school ASAP and get your kids on the list... the best schools have the longest lists. Getting the kiddies back and forth to their school always seems a major chore. I hope you are getting school fees from your employer as tuition is very expensive.

VS

[wintermute2]

...thank you, again, Veiled...kind of what I was thinking...I will double-check, but will be prepared to go appliance shopping!

[veiledsentiments]

As long as you stay away from the American stuff, there is a big choice of reasonably priced appliances from various countries.

VS