Accommodation
Some things to keep in mind re: housing and accommodation especially when you first arrive to DXB.
1. FZ will take your entire housing allowance for the first month but they will use it to put you up in a hotel apartment rather than a simple 30 sq ft hotel room. They have used the Marriott by the creek and the Movenpick in Deira as examples of that in the past. It's up to you to decide how much space and convenience you need, but I found this setup much better than having to live in a suitcase and a bed while studying for a month.
2. You can usually extend the 1st month at wherever it is they put you up by negotiating a deal at same (sometimes better) prices, so even when FZ start giving you your housing cash you can continue to live out of your hotel apartment until you can find longer term accommodation. This can be very useful if you are non-rated and will be in training for months instead of weeks, or if you simply want to take your time finding a house. Some guys who joined in 2009 are still living at the Marriott.
3. Taking your time with finding a house or apartment is crucial. Remember that FZ won't give you any advances on housing allowance until you pass your Line Check at the end of initial training. Also, you probably know that the Dubai housing market is extremely volatile and my suggestion is to choose wisely at the beginning to avoid crazy landlords who want to up your rent 20% every year. Get a place well within your means to make room for increases, and try to get a local landlord or one that doesn't have 20 apartments and does it purely for milking rental returns. If you rush, I guarantee you will be looking for a new place after 1 year.
4. For God's sakes DO NOT call up a real estate agent and tell them you have xxx housing allowance to spend, because guess what? they will ensure that you spend it. Most expats come here clueless, and in their eagerness to hit the ground running, they do very little research and defer to agents so they end up paying top dirham for mediocre housing and drive everybody else's rents up in the process.
Bottom line: you could save a couple of thousand dirhams by opting for a small hotel room at the beginning but it will be uncomfortable and you will be very eager to move out as quickly as possible, rushing your long term decisions. Furnished/serviced hotel apartments (whether provided by FZ or self-negotiated) are a better way to transition into Dubai, and you could live there comfortably alone or with a small family for a few months while you prepare.