( gulf air base in abu dhabi ) is abu dhabi a good place to be ?
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( gulf air base in abu dhabi ) is abu dhabi a good place to be ?
i will go to abu dhabi to work with gulf air ( cabin crew ) but still dont know yet when . so anybody have idea about information about abu dhabi base ; about how's life there, cost living , routing . . and it's a good place to be ? please share your idea, thank you in advance !!
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Routes..lots of subcontinent..LOTS of it, rumours a manchester..base not opened as of yet..cabin crew flats should be better overall, but per deims will be less, as there will be less night stopping..all economy class..no j class, or fancy foods etc. abu dhabi not quite as exciting night life as bahrain, but if you,re out-doorsy then abu dhabi definately better than Bahrain, much nicer beaches(virtually non-existent in Bah) desert 4-wheeling, mountain hiking etc..etc..bring your sense or adventure and humour c-ya there!!!
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Abu Dhabi is OK especially if you like living in a city environment. Very compact, everthing is only a 5 or 10 min taxi ride away (and the taxis are cheap!). Very cosmopolitan, as many different nationalities here as countries in the world and we all seem to get along.
Must admit I prefered Bahrain, but it is a hell of a lot better than Kuwait!
Must admit I prefered Bahrain, but it is a hell of a lot better than Kuwait!
Any one know the cost of housing,schooling-cost of living?Join Date: Apr 2001
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Villa- from 90k dhs
3 bdr flat- about 65k dhs
best school- final years are about 32k dhs
Rest of cost of living is very low- food, cars, electrical items etc.
Worst (most expensive) things are accomm. and schools.
3 bdr flat- about 65k dhs
best school- final years are about 32k dhs
Rest of cost of living is very low- food, cars, electrical items etc.
Worst (most expensive) things are accomm. and schools.
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Hey ferris,Thanks for that-not familiar with prices over there I take it that is per year ,and to own?Do you know what rented costs and stuff like ancillaries.
Thanks -info much appreciated.
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The costs quoted are for annual rents. It is normal to have accomm. provided or an allowence to cover. If you are getting an 'all-in' remuneration package, you need to be aware of the steep prices.
Ownership is not yet an option in Abu Dhabi (they have started in Dubai, so I guess it will one day happen).
Utilities are very cheap.
Ownership is not yet an option in Abu Dhabi (they have started in Dubai, so I guess it will one day happen).
Utilities are very cheap.
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You'd believe a real estate agent over me? Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Real estate is a huge scam here. If you step off a plane and walk in and sign a lease, then you could pay anything. If you take a bit of time to look around, get to know the market, USE the agents, then talk to an owner direct, you will save a lot of money. There are all sorts of factors to consider that may not be elsewhere. eg a western European with a good job at a prominent company will be able to negotiate a better deal, because the owners know they will not have any hassle from you. As I said, a decent villa is about 90k dhs, a really good one is 120k dhs. I know people who have searched hard and found decent villas for 80k dhs, but they are scarce as hen's teeth. Those prices are on the island. If you are prepared to go off the island (!), you will save about 40%.
You have been warned about the agents. They get fees like 10% ON TOP of the rent, plus 'finders fees' and all sorts of shenanigans. They will even try and charge you to show you around. A good tip is not to look at any that look promising, until you shake the agent. That way you wont attract 'finders fees'. They will waste your time showing you premises totally outside your brief, 'just in case'.
That is the advice of a ppruner on the ground to another. Take it or leave it.
Real estate is a huge scam here. If you step off a plane and walk in and sign a lease, then you could pay anything. If you take a bit of time to look around, get to know the market, USE the agents, then talk to an owner direct, you will save a lot of money. There are all sorts of factors to consider that may not be elsewhere. eg a western European with a good job at a prominent company will be able to negotiate a better deal, because the owners know they will not have any hassle from you. As I said, a decent villa is about 90k dhs, a really good one is 120k dhs. I know people who have searched hard and found decent villas for 80k dhs, but they are scarce as hen's teeth. Those prices are on the island. If you are prepared to go off the island (!), you will save about 40%.
You have been warned about the agents. They get fees like 10% ON TOP of the rent, plus 'finders fees' and all sorts of shenanigans. They will even try and charge you to show you around. A good tip is not to look at any that look promising, until you shake the agent. That way you wont attract 'finders fees'. They will waste your time showing you premises totally outside your brief, 'just in case'.
That is the advice of a ppruner on the ground to another. Take it or leave it.
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Where would be a good place to be situated,ie on the island or off?I've been to Dubai but not to Abi so have a feel for the place-but for wives and kids --no idea.
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Abu Dhabi Duty free shop is by far the best in the gulf, with it's VERY reasonable prices + plenty of promotions to go for.......
the city itself is, however, totaly boring and without any caracter.
Night life? Cultutal events? Forget about it!
the city itself is, however, totaly boring and without any caracter.
Night life? Cultutal events? Forget about it!
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Sibonja,
Have you only been to AUH in you whole life? never seen arround?
AUH has an okey duty free,however its not the best in the gulf.good discounts for the airline cabin crew and reasonable.
Night life is great.lots to do and very cosmopolitan.
Best duty free for your info in the gulf is DXB!!!
Have you only been to AUH in you whole life? never seen arround?
AUH has an okey duty free,however its not the best in the gulf.good discounts for the airline cabin crew and reasonable.
Night life is great.lots to do and very cosmopolitan.
Best duty free for your info in the gulf is DXB!!!
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Hi,
I run my eyes pretty often on this forum, and this thread is the one for my first speech.
I live in AUH for one year now, and I can give u some information. I don’t want to generalize, but I can give my own experience:
My flat is around 100 m2 (f**** metric system ) with 3 bedrooms and three bathrooms for 85 000 AED near the corniche road. A friend of mine pay 125 000 AED for a huge flat in center, but it’s a normal price for a villa a bit outlying. All charges are normally includes (A/C, maintenance, watchman) and this annual rent fees must be paid in advance for the year. Where to live is a difficult question. As everywhere, the children’s school, the working place will determine that point. The traffic is difficult and it takes me from 20 to 35 minutes to join the outside border of the city from my flat. You can count 20 minutes more for the airport. Have it over again, I'll probably choose a suburbs place (quieter and easier for works and school).
As said smeagol, taxis are very useful and cheap (there’s no public transport, except an expensive school bus service for the kids). Driving here is a risky job. My rental cars cost me 1800 AED per month for a Nissan/sunny and 2300 for a Nissan/Pathfinder (middle range 4WD). And to follows ferris it’s usual to see the “all in one” package.
My 6 year’s old son is at French nursery school for 3000 AED term’s fees.
For the family’s leisure and my own chill out, I’m a member of the British club for the swimming pool, the beach, fitness, tennis, yachting, pub and so one.
The life is pretty easy in AUH, and if u wants to have some crazy week-end or night, Dubai is only at 1 hour and half. For food and standard needs you have the cheap Carrefour superstore, or the British equivalent as Spinney’s (you’ll find pork in this one) also specialised in alcoholic drinks.
According to the place you come from you could have a “thermal stress” as reaching GCC. The present temperature is 40°C, and will reach 45 to 50 (sometimes but not too often, cause of a local rule that forbids normal work when it’s over 50°) this summer. So the outside life (desert’s ride, afternoon sunbath, and midday picnic) is no more possible. Expect to visit the countryside (desert’s camping is an unforgettable experience) from Mid October to end of March.
If you need other or more precise, just ask, I’ll try to help u.
P.S : The actual exchange rate is 4,12 AED for 1 € (f* euro). It could be an important point if some of your contract fees are in the local money. It was around 3,54 when I join.
I run my eyes pretty often on this forum, and this thread is the one for my first speech.
I live in AUH for one year now, and I can give u some information. I don’t want to generalize, but I can give my own experience:
My flat is around 100 m2 (f**** metric system
) with 3 bedrooms and three bathrooms for 85 000 AED near the corniche road. A friend of mine pay 125 000 AED for a huge flat in center, but it’s a normal price for a villa a bit outlying. All charges are normally includes (A/C, maintenance, watchman) and this annual rent fees must be paid in advance for the year. Where to live is a difficult question. As everywhere, the children’s school, the working place will determine that point. The traffic is difficult and it takes me from 20 to 35 minutes to join the outside border of the city from my flat. You can count 20 minutes more for the airport. Have it over again, I'll probably choose a suburbs place (quieter and easier for works and school).As said smeagol, taxis are very useful and cheap (there’s no public transport, except an expensive school bus service for the kids). Driving here is a risky job. My rental cars cost me 1800 AED per month for a Nissan/sunny and 2300 for a Nissan/Pathfinder (middle range 4WD). And to follows ferris it’s usual to see the “all in one” package.
My 6 year’s old son is at French nursery school for 3000 AED term’s fees.
For the family’s leisure and my own chill out, I’m a member of the British club for the swimming pool, the beach, fitness, tennis, yachting, pub and so one.
The life is pretty easy in AUH, and if u wants to have some crazy week-end or night, Dubai is only at 1 hour and half. For food and standard needs you have the cheap Carrefour superstore, or the British equivalent as Spinney’s (you’ll find pork in this one) also specialised in alcoholic drinks.
According to the place you come from you could have a “thermal stress” as reaching GCC. The present temperature is 40°C, and will reach 45 to 50 (sometimes but not too often, cause of a local rule that forbids normal work when it’s over 50°) this summer. So the outside life (desert’s ride, afternoon sunbath, and midday picnic) is no more possible. Expect to visit the countryside (desert’s camping is an unforgettable experience) from Mid October to end of March.
If you need other or more precise, just ask, I’ll try to help u.
P.S : The actual exchange rate is 4,12 AED for 1 € (f* euro). It could be an important point if some of your contract fees are in the local money. It was around 3,54 when I join.
gnz