And four females in Muscat; two expat and two local, with more almost rated. Bring 'em on!

Living In Abu Dhabi
 

As an experienced ATC I understand the work requirements, but we really need to get our head around the whole living in Abu Dhabi before accepting a contract.
Could someone who is overthere please give a realistic picture of the life outside work for my wife and I.

1. rental costs 150,000 enough for decent accommodation for 2?
2. renting / purchasing vechiles nothing flash but good and safe?
3. cost of internet, phone, mobile etc.. (calling Australia)
4. Best place in Abu Dhabi for accommodation with reference to the new centre - villa preference!
5. Triathlon Clubs???
6. Olympic size pools for swimming training?
7. what to bring/not to bring - will be sourcing own accommodation.

thanks in advance. PM if you would prefer.

Can't help with the AD specific questions but....

Cars - loans of up to 250,000 dirhams are generally available. That would get you something both good AND flash. There's a wide choice and no sales tax. Some brands are cheaper in the UAE than elsewhere, but prices are fashion-dependent. Thus, BMWs are expensive compared with the USA, yet American Fords and Australian GMs are relatively good value. Check out Drive Arabia - Dubai Live - UAE, Saudi, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and GCC for prices and some road tests.
Be aware that insurance rates are doubled for anything with 2 doors, and bring some evidence of no-claims discount/bonus from your previous insurer.
Many people end up with SUVs even if they don't intend to drive in the desert, partly for reasons of fashion and often because of the perceived safety of driving a tank among drivers of questionable judgement and talent.

Phones/net - not sure about costs of phoning Australia. However, many people break the law and use Skype to phone overseas. Skype cannot be downloaded in the UAE or used to phone a landline from the UAE without a VPN, and UAE credit cards cannot be used to buy Skype credit (so I'm told...). Our complete package of TV (movies but not sports channels), 2Mb internet and home phone costs about 800 dirhams a month, not including the cost of long distance and international calls.

Bring/don't bring - the electricity supply is 220V/50Hz. Generally, it's not worth bringing appliances unless you're really attached to them. My other half's Kitchenaid food mixer came with us, and we run it through a transformer. Transformers are cheap and plentiful, but possibly not the best thing for really pricey electronics. Multi-region DVD players are available here (as are pirated DVDs...), and TVs are similar to US prices. If you have expensive stereo equipment, it might be worth bringing as the more esoteric makers aren't sold here, or are sold here at a premium.
Other household items, beds, furniture, etc, really depend on whether you're attached enough to them to pay the shipping costs. The fact that you may have to wait three months for a shipment tends to force you into buying furniture here anyway.

Have a look at BetterHomes for villas and flats. Rental costs in Dubai have decreased markedly in the downturn, though I'm not sure the same if true of Abu Dhabi which was more expensive to begin with.

thanks Scooby
 

thanks for the info, if anyone else wants to add anything????

Otherwise I will see you all later in the year.

Thanks!

Just a couple of points:

Buying a car is cheap and easy. Banks are good to give loans to anyone with a good income. Particularly if you use the bank for salary transfers that your intending to get the loan from. As an example: I bought a Lexus IS300 for 148,000Dhs. Same type of car at home (without all the bells and whistles), 3 times the price. Running the car and maintenance are very cheap. Don't fall into the trap of going for a 4WD "JUST BECAUSE". If your living in Abu Dhabi, finding a space big enough to put it is a mission in itself......in fact finding any sort of parking space in Abu Dhabi is a mission!!! Rental prices are a joke....you won't find a 2 bed for 150,000Dhs per year. More like 250k plus!!! Not joking!!! The ass is falling out of the Dubai market rapidly. Both rents and purchase prices are falling at an enourmous rate. Particularly on apartments as there is quite a lot out there. Villas are falling too, but not at the same rate and depending on where they are situated. Prices may bottom out at the end of the year, but we'll have to wait till after the new school term starts after the summer holidays to see if anyone actually comes back!!!!

Mobile useage is relatively chaep...two providers, DU and Etisalat...similar pricing. I top up my Etisalat about every 2-3 weeks with 100Dhs....you'd be surprised how much you get....Internet is little more, but affordable on your salary!!!!!! The debate whether or not SKYPE is illegal, is ongoing. Basically, Etisalat are saying in order to make calls, Skype need a telecommunications licence in the UAE. Basically, if you have a proxy or VPN, its the best way to make calls by buying some skype credit. Cheap as chips!!!

Anyways, hope this helps......:cool:

I must have my eye off the ball living in Dubayaa!! I agree with ANSA on the rent issue. Its getting more and more affordable to buy your own place here rather than pay rent. At least at the end of your tenure you'll have something to show for your "accommodation allowance" :ok:

Thanks for the info, look forward to joining you all later in the year.....suppose I better stock up on thermal wear.......

Don't buy a Lexus IS300 "just because". You'll look like an accountant. :}

Accountant!!
 

If the windows are blacked out, who cares what ya look like!!! :}

Any update on the property website, by the way. It should be Dubai Property Real Estate ? Rent, buy or Sale Properties in Dubai, UAE Apartments and Villas with Better Homes. Manage or Invest in Dubai Property with us. and remember there are plenty of other agents in Dubai. There are listings on the Gulf News website and Dubai Property for Sale and Rent, Jobs in Dubai, Dubai Classifieds too.

thanks
 

Thanks for all the info, looks like buying is the way to go if you can afford it, is the process of obtaining a bank loan over there difficult, how much are they looking at for a deposit, can you use your accommodation advance as the deposit?

hopefully the prices will stay low till the end of the year.

Theakstone
 

Hello Vercingetorix and all the others of course.

I am now through most of the 256 postings in this forum/thread.
I am really looking forward to meeting this Theakstone Old Peculiar.
He must be a fun guy to live with;)
I just wonder if this Theakstone fellow still has his ratings or if he is retired;)


Cheers.

Buying property
 

Nobody as yet has mentioned:

1) You got to jail for defaulting on your loan (ie: if you lose your job!).You are also stuck here.
2) The property market is still on a downward spiral.
3) The mortgage rates are generally high and change without notice.
4) Maintenance fees are high and change without notice.
5) Construction standards are at best awful.
6) Contracts are not worth the paper they are written on. The seller changes the conditions at whim.
7) Some properties have an eternal clause where you have to pay the original developer a percentage each time the property is sold.

This is a pessimistic view I know but so many horror stories have been coming out that its funny noone mentioned anything yet. Buy if you like but caveat emptor!!

There's some risky stuff I have done here in the UAE; motorcycle racing, mountainbiking, eating Bateen canteen sandwiches, road cycling and up until 18 months ago other nocturnal dalliances.... but you won't catch me buying property :}

Yoman
Yup, still got them as in:
ADC
APP (radar & Procedural)
Area (Radar & Procedural)
OJTI
ATSI
ATC Examiner
Rating Examiner
Inspector of ATS
Incident Reporting and Investigation
ICAO Safety Management Systems
European Academy For Aviation Safety JAR Ops 1
but now do consultancy.
N.B. Ratings are for life, validations are for a limited period

TheFalcon's points 1 - 7 are worth bearing in mind.

If you meet Theakstones you'll have a memorable (or perhaps not if you stay in the meeting too long!) experience.

Cheers:ok:

Theakstone
 

Vercingetorix,

seems like you are an ATC nerd;)
I am glad you have mister Theakstone to ease your burden:hmm:


Cheers

Yoman
:uhoh: nerd implies interest.
The object of the exercise is that I work to live, not live to work.
That lot is just the detritus gathered in my ATC life.
Now I live a lot and work as and when it suits:cool:

Cheers & I'll have one for you:ok:

To infinity and beyond and, hopefully, back in time for that pint of Theakstones Old Peculiar.

Uae Acc
 

Hi
do any one have info about if the UAE ACC have a job opening now

thanks

Theakestones (OLD.....PECULIAR)
 

Catastrophic results.Mr. Magoo - Ugly Men - Funny Males

I just wanted to ask. Who knows, what is going on in Emirates Aviation College? I heard, that they have closed the ATC department. Who knows the reasons?