VdG,
Relax mate. Check out the car hire when you get here. It will take you a while to get your licence, so you can't hire one till then. Taxi's are cheap and phone calls are free. Mirdif may not be top of the list, but wait till you see it, then make up your mind. If that's where the company have put you then there is little point worrying about it. It is unlikely you will be able to change what they offer, but stranger things have happened. If you really don't like where you live, then take your time and look around. You can buy a place here now, and i think prices are coming down. Not my cup of tea mind you, but quite a few have leapt in at the deep end.
See you in Nov