Dubai - OMDB ' Hands are Tied excuse' - ONE DAY TO GO
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Green Community is nice and remote. Close to the new radar room though. Rent starts at 240k and you can buy a townhouse for 3.5 mil.
Check http://www.thespecialistsdubai.com
Or http://www.up.ae
Or http://www.bhomes.com
Check http://www.thespecialistsdubai.com
Or http://www.up.ae
Or http://www.bhomes.com
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Sandpit
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Morning all, can anyone please confirm the current policy regarding the exchange of foreign driving licenses for Dubai ones?
According to the Dubai Gov. website, the "lucky 36" are still accepted for direct exchange, however, I have also come across several other sites stating that as of March 2007, this is no longer the case and that a min of 21 lessons + test are required. Could be a deal breaker - jumping through hoops is par for the course, but not that many!!
All info appreciated and Bonne Journée!
According to the Dubai Gov. website, the "lucky 36" are still accepted for direct exchange, however, I have also come across several other sites stating that as of March 2007, this is no longer the case and that a min of 21 lessons + test are required. Could be a deal breaker - jumping through hoops is par for the course, but not that many!!
All info appreciated and Bonne Journée!
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Driving Licenses et al
Some licences are still accepted for direct exchange but like all things here in Dubai it may change and overnight. Some recent newcomers had to have to go for FORTY not 21 lessons and I can assure you its loads of fun especially if you are into Indian music and jasmin tea! The test itself is frustating and you pass and the whim of your examiner which will evaluate you attitude towards his car rather than the driving. I know people who have been driving for over 15 years and had to do the test three times. Yes its frustrating and a total waste of time but it is like that with many things in Dubai. Try to get a telephone-internet connection, T.V. service, or anything which has to do with a government department and you dread the day you ever got on the plane to come here. You know straight away you are in trouble each time someone tells you "no problem" or wobbles his head which in these parts does not mean a yes or no.
Having said that its still a small price to pay to live in an otherwise splendid city. Coming here with a western mindset and expecting everything to work in Swiss perfect timing you are likely to get knocked of your feet pretty soon. "INSHALLAH" (God willing) is the most used word here and you will soon discover why. Just be prepared and you are in for a lovely time thats my advice. Cheers!!
Having said that its still a small price to pay to live in an otherwise splendid city. Coming here with a western mindset and expecting everything to work in Swiss perfect timing you are likely to get knocked of your feet pretty soon. "INSHALLAH" (God willing) is the most used word here and you will soon discover why. Just be prepared and you are in for a lovely time thats my advice. Cheers!!
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Thanks Falcon - I won't be going (coming?) in with my eyes closed as I've already done 5 years in the sandpit - neither myself nor my wife would be too pleased having to do the "TEST", never mind the lessons. With a bit of luck, I'll be able to simply renew my expired UAE license but of course, no reliable info to say if that's possible!
Regards, Guy.
Regards, Guy.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Coral
Depends where you look. If you want to live in a 5 bedreem villa in Arabian Ranches, yes, I would say that's about right. Look around a bit and you'll find 3 or 4 bedroom villas in Jumeira, Barsha, Mirdiff etc. for 180,000 - 200,000 or so. I know, I'm looking too! This still means you'll have to contribute out of your own pocket, but at least it's a bit less.
As per the housing allowance, yes, it's not very realistic. Problem is, it's based on Serco's rental costs of the villas in Palma Springs - the compound where most controllers used to live (and some still do), which are significantly below the market rate. From what I hear, the rate keeps slowly creeping up but don't hold your breath for it to catch up with the market.
Depends where you look. If you want to live in a 5 bedreem villa in Arabian Ranches, yes, I would say that's about right. Look around a bit and you'll find 3 or 4 bedroom villas in Jumeira, Barsha, Mirdiff etc. for 180,000 - 200,000 or so. I know, I'm looking too! This still means you'll have to contribute out of your own pocket, but at least it's a bit less.
As per the housing allowance, yes, it's not very realistic. Problem is, it's based on Serco's rental costs of the villas in Palma Springs - the compound where most controllers used to live (and some still do), which are significantly below the market rate. From what I hear, the rate keeps slowly creeping up but don't hold your breath for it to catch up with the market.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Depends on how you look at it.
If I've correctly understood Serco will either:-
1. provide a villa (as used to be the case) in Palma springs and pay electricity/water bills. Depends on availability - I believe, for the moment, nothing available.
2. Rent a villa for you - budget 155,000dh - and pay electricity+water bills.
3. Provide an allowance of 180,000dh and the rest is up to you.
(care to confirm, Mr Dragon?)
On the other hand, anyone aware just what the "temporary accommodation" is for new arrivals that haven't found anything yet?
Good luck with the search....
If I've correctly understood Serco will either:-
1. provide a villa (as used to be the case) in Palma springs and pay electricity/water bills. Depends on availability - I believe, for the moment, nothing available.
2. Rent a villa for you - budget 155,000dh - and pay electricity+water bills.
3. Provide an allowance of 180,000dh and the rest is up to you.
(care to confirm, Mr Dragon?)
On the other hand, anyone aware just what the "temporary accommodation" is for new arrivals that haven't found anything yet?
Good luck with the search....
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Gulf
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Good evening Guy, happy to help...
Your description is naturally pretty close. However on point 2 you will still have do the leg work and look for the place yourself. It will however be Serco's name on the lease and the company will pay the utilities. The 180,000 allowance is aimed at those that have bought property and will take the cash in hand. Not sure how it's paid though. As it's your property you will be responsible for the utility fees. Also bear in mind that if you buy property in the new developments you will also be liable for maintenance fees which, from what I've heard, can be considerable and are set at the whim of the developer. Those that have bought feel free to expand on this.
Temporary accomodation on arrival will usually be a small apartment or villa. From what I've heard you won't want to spend too much time there!
RD
Your description is naturally pretty close. However on point 2 you will still have do the leg work and look for the place yourself. It will however be Serco's name on the lease and the company will pay the utilities. The 180,000 allowance is aimed at those that have bought property and will take the cash in hand. Not sure how it's paid though. As it's your property you will be responsible for the utility fees. Also bear in mind that if you buy property in the new developments you will also be liable for maintenance fees which, from what I've heard, can be considerable and are set at the whim of the developer. Those that have bought feel free to expand on this.
Temporary accomodation on arrival will usually be a small apartment or villa. From what I've heard you won't want to spend too much time there!
RD
Join Date: Apr 2002
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two checks for 90K each. Guys, just look at the total package. It could just as well have been 220 housing, there is no difference. Property investment in Dubai is the hottest stuff in the business and Serco is willing to pay for your investment. Dont keep sitting on your hands
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Short Approach
The hottest stuff in town it may be but as with hot things, some people tend to get burned now and again!
In an unregulated market where both builders and estate agents can basically do and say what they want with impunity (read the small print on an ad / agent's website recently?), please excuse me if I do some research before commiting my life savings as a deposit on what may or may not really be a freehold property with skyrocketing maintenance / condo fees.
Furthermore, we all know what the quality of construction tends to be like! I may still go that route but not before doing my homework.
By all means take the leap but have a bloody good look first!
The hottest stuff in town it may be but as with hot things, some people tend to get burned now and again!
In an unregulated market where both builders and estate agents can basically do and say what they want with impunity (read the small print on an ad / agent's website recently?), please excuse me if I do some research before commiting my life savings as a deposit on what may or may not really be a freehold property with skyrocketing maintenance / condo fees.
Furthermore, we all know what the quality of construction tends to be like! I may still go that route but not before doing my homework.
By all means take the leap but have a bloody good look first!
