Job Discussion Forums

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Hello all,

I will be moving to Al Ain in January. For those that have lived there or visited could you please help with a few questions. Thank you.

1. Are there any fitness clubs there? (I like to lift weights & play basketball)
2. Best place to purchase a cell phone. (will be calling back to U.S.)
3. Are there any places within 1 hours drive where can get custom made suits?
4. What type of household/entertainment items do you recommend I bring with me?

Thanks again.

GlobalDawg · Joined: 24 Jan 2003 Posts: 91

I lived in Al Ain in 2000 to 2002 and just returned to the UAE last year, so my information is a bit outdated with respect to what's going on in Al Ain. There are a couple of athletic clubs in Al Ain where you will be able to lift weights and play basketball. I'm sorry I can't tell you exactly where these clubs are, but I'm sure you won't have difficulty finding them. As for purchasing a mobile phone, you will find phone shops door-to-door in most commercial areas throughout the Middle East. You can get a connection through the national phone company, Etisalat. Or, if you happen to spot an Etisalat outlet in the airport, you can pick up a chip on arrival; also, you'll find a lot of electronic gadgets on sell in the airport so you might manage to get a good deal on a phone as well. Communication-wise, you can get connected before you leave the airport. You will find tailors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi--you might find one or two in Al Ain. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are approximately 120 from Al Ain. I never had a suit made in the Middle East but I have all my shirts and pants made by local tailors. My preference is to have suits made in East Asia--Thailand, Hong Kong, Korea or China. Flights are cheap and more than likely, if you plan to travel while you're here, you'll make a trip that way within your first year in this part of the world. From what I hear, it is best to pick up a lap-top before you get on the plane. Depending on your preference for music, collect your favorites as you pack--over the years, I've managed to accumulate a great jazz collection but it's been a challenge to keep up with contemporary artists. Books and magazines are expensive--I want a Kindle for Christmas.

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

The fitness clubs are located in hotels (InterContinental, Hilton, Rotana, etc.) They usually offer comprehensive memberships: gym + pool and you may even get a discount at the hotel restaurants with the membership.

You can buy a phone and sim card at Carrefour (hypermarket) in the mall. Connection is almost immediate. You can choose from DU or Etisalat, the two telecom companies in the UAE.

If you're from the US, be advised that electricity is 240 in the UAE, not 110. That could determine whether or not you bother bringing light appliances or entertainment gadgets with you...

Al Ain is 160 km from Abu Dhabi and 120 km from Dubai, so whatever you can't find in AA, jump in the car and hop on to the big cities!

Much like the rest of the country, Al Ain has undergone huge changes in the last 5 years or so, and is no longer the isolated oasis it once was. That has its + and - of course. One huge plus is that you will be arriving at the best time of year when the weather is simply gorgeous!

Hope this helps.
MrS

Chris_Crossley · Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:13 am Post subject: How about a huge minus?

MrScaramanga · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 221

I didn't know this assignment was going to be graded... Laughing

Huge minus you ask? Try the stifling temperatures from April on to November!

Do I get an A now?
MrS

Chris_Crossley

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Oh Chris... before you start grading posts and defining how much information is required... (and you did only ask for a "huge minus" in singular - and the heat is definitely THE major minus)... as a teacher, we must clearly state the essay question. Laughing

I see that you have over 1600 posts, so you are probably aware that there is a search function here and you could take the time to use it and peruse other opinions. Cool

Especially when there is a thread just a few down on the front page here about Abu Dhabi versus Al Ain - lots of pluses and minuses...

VS

Tom Le Seelleur · Joined: 27 Dec 2007 Posts: 242

Gym - Rugby Club located near Golf Club and Horse Riding Club also near Twam hospital and Abela supermarket. Also has swimming pool, events, and a good starting point for meeting people.

Unless you are in business you wont need to wear a suit.
Though it gets hot - it is dry and not humid - avoid the mid day sun in the summer as other times are bearable. My young played outside quite happily all year round

You can buy all items locally

Al Ain is conservative and has a manana attitude. Slow and steady. Join one of the hotels eg Hilton as alternative to Rugby Club - depends which side of town you live.
We lived there until 2007 (summer) go back every month to visit.
Tom

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Thanks for info. I have heard many good things about Al Ain, and Dubai/AD is only a short drive away. I plan to do some traveling while in UAE to Egypt, Korea, and a few other places.

Iamherebecause · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:39 pm Post subject:

If all you want from a gym is to lift weights then there are plenty of local gyms (typically male only).

Downside? I wish there were more watering holes and decent restaurants. Although I don't mind bumping into friends and colleagues about the place - and think chaps who complain about Al Ain being a fishbowl must be a bit antisocial - we could do with a bit more choice! 3 licenced hotels plus the Palm Resort, they all get a bit crowded at weekends.

ryder · Joined: 28 Nov 2009 Posts: 21

The best thing about Al Ain is the Buraimi border so you can get easily into Oman. Jebel Hafeet is also interesting and there are some nice places out at Hilli. We've spent a few weekends camping in the vicinity.
The kids like the dunes.

DesertStar · Joined: 02 Oct 2005 Posts: 80 Location: UAE Oasis

Agreed. I would definitely bring a laptop from the US, way more expensive in UAE.
Same goes for books, music, and DVDs.

USAMATHMAN · Joined: 01 Oct 2009 Posts: 72

Hey all.

Concerning one of the previous posts above about Al Ain...

"If you're from the US, be advised that electricity is 240 in the UAE, not 110. That could determine whether or not you bother bringing light appliances or entertainment gadgets with you..."

Is cost of electricityi inAl Ain 240 AED or 240 US Dollars?

Thanks

Eisenhorn · Joined: 25 Oct 2009 Posts: 146 Location: HCT Land. UAE

Jpoindexter14.

I'm not sure if you are being flippant or if you are serious.

The voltage of the electricity here is 240. That means any of your electrical appliances from the US, Canada or Japan are usually set for 110 volts.

If you plug your US cell phone into the wall, it ruin it.

You need to examine the voltage on any appliances you are wanting to bring with you and see if it will take 240 volts, or else you will ruin it

Laptops and computers are usually univeral 110 to 240 (so it doesn't matter where you plug them in they work) and a lot of other appliances are... but a lot aren't. So check the voltage on your appliances before you bring them with.

helenl · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 1202

You can buy step down transformers for US/Canadian appliances - be aware that DVD players from North America will usually not play the DVDs available here (2 different systems).

However, DVD players are cheap here and you can ask the salesperson to make sure it plays both types of DVDs (the guy in Jumbo Electronics just reset the codes on the machine for me).

As for other appliances, they are usually not worth the price of shipping them. You can find 99.9% of everything you need here fairly cheaply. If you do decide to bring something check the wattage on it - I have only seen step down transformers for up to 1000 watts (and it's usually recommended you don't plug in anything more than 750watts into them anyways).