Emirates Accommodation MS - Are all villas the same?

[Aero_manoloman]

Weeks away from moving to Dubai I'm browsing the FB group for MS villa takeovers. I see people showing interest in taking over villas that are empty and I wonder what the reason may be. Aren't all villas exactly the same?

What are the differences between the different areas in Meydan South. Are the actual houses different depending on when they were built and their location? Are some areas quieter than others? Is this because of proximity to roads or is it about the actual build quality. From what I can see some villas have water filtration systems, a roof over the garage, real grass or a nice brick floor area in the patio. Would I find any of these things if I just took whatever villa the company assigned me to? The one I saw during the villa tour had electric green fake grass all over the backyard. Awful...

Which ones are the "good" ones in terms of build quality and location?

Thanks

[HugeJarse]

H block villas are newer and A block villas are older. They are all identical except some have different size gardens.
Some like to be closer to the exits and the community centre.
Keep in mind they are building a Mosque next to the community centre outside the compound.

[HugeJarse]

Forgot to mention, the villas are quite dark inside so have a look at where you want the sun. Front of the house or back.
The car garage is only covered with some steel beams, a lot of people cover that with a proper aluminium roof and cloth shades on the front and sides.
Villas next to the desert side are noisy because of the 311 road and villas on the perimeter suffer from construction noise. Interior villas next to the small parks are probably quieter.
Meydan Heights is another option and there are also villas near Safa park downtown that they keep quiet for some reason. These villas are very old and not very nice and suffer with traffic and noise. They are usually kept for people who will not be in the company very long.

[Aero_manoloman]

That helps a lot.
And how is it usually if I don't look to take over a villa? Does EK restore the villas to their original state (Do they uninstall the garage roof cover and the water filtration system?).
Basically is it worth it to take over a villa or are they in an ok state when they're in the restored and assigned by the company to new joiners? I'm not that interested in some of those heavily decorated and expensive takeovers.

Thanks

[HugeJarse]

That helps a lot.
And how is it usually if I don't look to take over a villa? Does EK restore the villas to their original state (Do they uninstall the garage roof cover and the water filtration system?).
Basically is it worth it to take over a villa or are they in an ok state when they're in the restored and assigned by the company to new joiners? I'm not that interested in some of those heavily decorated and expensive takeovers.

Thanks

When someone leaves the villa by choice, moving to a property that they’ve purchased for example, they have to restore the villa to how they received it from the company.
EK will then repaint the villa and make it look like nobody was ever there.
The previous occupiers will have to remove the garage shades and return the garden to dust.
So unless you are interested in taking over a villa because its garden is mature and you really need the garage shades I don’t see the point.
But if they’ve put down nice flooring and curtains inside or redone the kitchen maybe then it’s worth a look.
But I don’t think there is any need for that. You only end up paying someone lots of money for a villa that you are going to be given anyway.

[Meursault]

Is it possible to get on request an apartment in a more central location instead of a villa? ( DEC)

[BigGeordie]

No. Apartments aren't available for pilots. You are allocated a villa (almost certainly in Meydan) and that is the villa you get.

[Shazeem]

When someone leaves the villa by choice, moving to a property that they’ve purchased for example, they have to restore the villa to how they received it from the company.
EK will then repaint the villa and make it look like nobody was ever there.
The previous occupiers will have to remove the garage shades and return the garden to dust.
So unless you are interested in taking over a villa because its garden is mature and you really need the garage shades I don’t see the point.
But if they’ve put down nice flooring and curtains inside or redone the kitchen maybe then it’s worth a look.
But I don’t think there is any need for that. You only end up paying someone lots of money for a villa that you are going to be given anyway.

It's quite a hassle (time and money) to remove everything so you can profit from this. You can takeover the stuff for almost nothing. Same when you see someone being forced to leave at MS. You'll have to join the queue of vultures who are in for a bargain. Why not profit from someone elses misery.

Another topic..not all guys from downunder are austronauts..

[Meursault]

No. Apartments aren't available for pilots. You are allocated a villa (almost certainly in Meydan) and that is the villa you get.

Thanks

[lhc7664]

I’ve heard that villas at Meydan South are full now so new joiners are settled at Meydan Heights. What are the main differences between the two? I recently successfully finished the assessment in Dubai with a tour around the villas and area at Meydan South. It seemed ok, but what about MH?

[HugeJarse]

If the villas are full they will offer you a live out allowance with the option to move back in to a villa, if one becomes available. Keep in mind once you are in, you are in! Unless you buy a property.
Heights villas are smaller with a smaller garden, they are like town houses, not that bad. South villas are bigger with bigger gardens. Maids room is outside in Heights while south has it inside.
Heights location might be better for some. South is closer to DSO.

Anyone else wanna add some pros and cons?

[Aero_manoloman]

Anyone else wanna add some pros and cons?

I'd like to know more pros and cons between south and heights please.

[5strypes]

Is it possible or done to add an EC charger to any of the homes? Obviously with the proviso it would have to be removed or agreed with a takeover if leaving..

[HugeJarse]

Is it possible or done to add an EC charger to any of the homes? Obviously with the proviso it would have to be removed or agreed with a takeover if leaving..

I have definitely seen Teslas on charge around South, I don’t think it’s a big deal to install the charger and even remove it and take it with you, if you move out.

You might have to ask permission to install one but it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission.

[HugeJarse]

Try to request villas that are not in South or Heights. Both compounds have a negative atmosphere for some reason.
But as with all things it depends on you to make it nice. A lot of people there are just miserable for the sake of being miserable.
One advantage of South is Kent school, just outside the compound.

[HugeJarse]

There is an app 2Gis that shows you exactly where all villas are

[5strypes]

Try to request villas that are not in South or Heights. Both compounds have a negative atmosphere for some reason.
But as with all things it depends on you to make it nice. A lot of people there are just miserable for the sake of being miserable.
One advantage of South is Kent school, just outside the compound.
Do you know what other options are available? MS and MH were the only ones mentioned to me.

[Aero_manoloman]

Try to request villas that are not in South or Heights. Both compounds have a negative atmosphere for some reason.
But as with all things it depends on you to make it nice. A lot of people there are just miserable for the sake of being miserable.
One advantage of South is Kent school, just outside the compound.

They only offered us MS and MH. At some point I asked for other options and they insisted that only MH and MS are available at the moment.
I'm moving to Dubai on my own and I don't have a family (I'm 40). If I could choose I would certainly pick an apartment rather than a villa but at the same time I'm looking forward to having all that space for myself and make good use of each room. I'm just worried to be assigned a crappy one in a bad location (noise, small backyard, no trees around, etc). The one they showed us during the villa tour was not so appealing. It really felt like a construction in the middle of the desert. But I've seen some really nice ones in the takeover group though it has become impossible to find one there. For every offer there's too many interested people. MH looks good to me but the idea of having neighbors both side of the house with paper-thin walls is a bit of a deal breaker.

I really wish they kept some accommodation in buildings for pilots like in the old days.

[MartyMcflyface]

They only offered us MS and MH. At some point I asked for other options and they insisted that only MH and MS are available at the moment.
I'm moving to Dubai on my own and I don't have a family (I'm 40). If I could choose I would certainly pick an apartment rather than a villa but at the same time I'm looking forward to having all that space for myself and make good use of each room. I'm just worried to be assigned a crappy one in a bad location (noise, small backyard, no trees around, etc). The one they showed us during the villa tour was not so appealing. It really felt like a construction in the middle of the desert. But I've seen some really nice ones in the takeover group though it has become impossible to find one there. For every offer there's too many interested people. MH looks good to me but the idea of having neighbors both side of the house with paper-thin walls is a bit of a deal breaker.

I really wish they kept some accommodation in buildings for pilots like in the old days.

if you are single, MS will definitely drive you crazy. Even with a family it is not somewhere I would want to live long term. I’m not sure what the current rules are but if you can opt out and rent I would highly recommend it.
Or if you plan on staying long term, look at buying a place in the Marina or somewhere that you have a nice view and things to do.

There are definitely some nicer villas in MS where the occupants have spent a lot of money to get it that way. But at the end of the day, you will still be in the middle of nowhere with a minimum 20 minute drive to get anywhere remotely interesting.

[HugeJarse]

They only offered us MS and MH. At some point I asked for other options and they insisted that only MH and MS are available at the moment.
I'm moving to Dubai on my own and I don't have a family (I'm 40). If I could choose I would certainly pick an apartment rather than a villa but at the same time I'm looking forward to having all that space for myself and make good use of each room. I'm just worried to be assigned a crappy one in a bad location (noise, small backyard, no trees around, etc). The one they showed us during the villa tour was not so appealing. It really felt like a construction in the middle of the desert. But I've seen some really nice ones in the takeover group though it has become impossible to find one there. For every offer there's too many interested people. MH looks good to me but the idea of having neighbors both side of the house with paper-thin walls is a bit of a deal breaker.

I really wish they kept some accommodation in buildings for pilots like in the old days.

Correct, they used to give apartments but I’ve heard that they are short of accommodation for cabin crew, that pilots are going to villas.
South is probably a bit more private as heights has villas on both side and the back also on the other side of the back garden, unless you get a villa on the perimeter.
But they are like town houses so maybe if you are on your own they might be better?
It doesn’t cost a whole lot to get some grass and some trees put in.
There are villas in Safa Park and there are Flamingo villas next to internet city but might not be available. Always worth asking. Need to think about traffic if you are in Safa or Flamingo.
I think you are talking about South that looks like it in a construction site. That’s exactly what it’s like, but inside the compound is a bit better. A bit!

[fercho]

What are the downsides to buying a property and just getting your property where you want? Just from looking at what they offer salary wise I thought it would make more sense to buy, get the living allowance and investing it. Or am I wrong in thinking its that easy.

[BigGeordie]

The downside is marked volatility and sometimes a lack of liquidity. After the financial crash it took 7 years for prices to get back up to their previous level. Prices are high at the moment and negative equity is a real possibility. Making a lot of money is also a possibility.

In summary, do you feel lucky?

[A320LGW]

The downside is marked volatility and sometimes a lack of liquidity. After the financial crash it took 7 years for prices to get back up to their previous level. Prices are high at the moment and negative equity is a real possibility. Making a lot of money is also a possibility.

In summary, do you feel lucky?
At the roadshows they're saying the accommodation allowance is not on offer at the moment, unless you purchase a property with a Dubai address

Would it nearly be worth joining and waiting for the next crash to then buy ...

[BigGeordie]

If you don't mind trying to catch a falling knife then yes.

I'll say it again, do you feel lucky? The Dubai property market can be like Bitcoin. It is easy to make a fortune. Even easier to lose one.

[Tight Seat]

Or you can look at it that EK are taking the risk by paying the bill.
Personal choice, I live where I love living ( not in Dubai , a little bit north ) . I have a great place , life and EK pay for it.

I wouldn’t say I tried to catch a knife , I found where I would be happy and the allowance pays for it.

If I’d lived at home I would have to have lived in a house I could ‘afford’, my airline wouldn’t have paid for it .

[BigGeordie]

This is true - if you are confident you will be here for 20 years then you would be mad not to take the allowance and buy somewhere - at the end of those two decades you have a free house.

But, buyer beware, during Covid, a lot of people found out that they weren't going to be here for 20 years after all. Many had to sell quickly, some had negative equity. Are you sure you will be in Dubai long enough to pay off most of the mortgage? Are you sure you will be able to keep your medical that long? Maybe nothing will go wrong and you (or your family) will just decide they have had enough of Dubai but you won't be able to leave because you can't sell your property.

Certainly buying a property in Dubai can work out very well, and does for many people, but go into it with your eyes wide open and know what you are getting into. It is probably nothing like buying a house in your home country.

[Meursault]

Interesting topic, especially to the many expats around the world. Buying can be very beneficial long term but costly when your plans change. I understand utilities are included in the company provided option? Beware of management fees, renovation costs, stamp duty, estate agent fees etc. Include the often neglected oportunity costs for the downpayment plus further expenses above the allowance down the route.

If you buy you are basically doubling down. If Dubai is succesful in the future you got potentially a safe workplace plus capital appreciation on your property. In a regional crisis you might lose job and investment.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about the real estate market/ finance rules etc in Dubai