SMZC
 

Found at google:

Panoramio - Photo of Sheikh Mohd Bin Zayed City

Panoramio - Photo of Sheikh Mohd Bin Zayed City,

Panoramio - Photo of Mussaffa Round About 1

This pictures were taken in jan 2008 so a bit old. But i don't think area is that bad

And take a look in the project

Mohammed Bin Zayed City, U.A.E.

I don't think is that bad guys.

KRUGERFLAP, tks for the links. It doesn't surprised me at all. When the younger Zayeds wanted to break away from GF and create their own airline over 20 years ago, they had a master plan for a aviation or airline city just like Saudia city for those familiar with JED. However, I believe the area was either what is the Khalifa City A or B today.

There are quite a few pilots living in compounds in Khalifa B (Moonbase Bravo), but I think there are none available right now.

Facilities
 

The location of the new buildings is not ideal, but the Government plans for the area are huge. I see there is another massive high rise complex going up one block down the same road. "Apparently" the labour camp over the road will be gone within a year.

The apartments themselves are not too bad. Rooms decent size, kitchens bigger than Khalifa B villas'. Only Three apartments per floor.

Shared by all the blocks there are Two indoor swiming pools with jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas. Two gyms, (Not yet equipped, so no idea what they will have?) Large kids play area between the blocks. Two tennis courts.

Lots of underground parking, but no storage lockers.

Within five minutes drive, a new mall going up, including Carrefoure.

Some look ready for occupation.

But it is still in MUSSAFAH!

Mussaffah to Abu Dhabi?
 

How far of a drive is it from one to the other?

Thanks

It all depends on how fast you drive or how many speed tickets you want to have.... I really think that the proper questions are.... How far is the school for my kids away?.... or... how late I am for the flight?....

No kids to worry about only an old lady that will insist upon running into town to shop at Alah & Taylor.

Really, just curious as to how many miles, as there appears not to be to much around the Mussafa area.

Also, are there any job opportunities for the expat wives?

Thanks

Ohhhhh yes..... wives have an opportunity at EY, they really use them a lot and pay.... you know... but that's preferable that keeping them at home....(please let us help the company chap.....)

I was referring to work other than at EY.

Yes, they can get work outside Etihad and it's preferable, and 6000aed a month if you want to work for EY... I wouldn't even get outta bed for that, what an insult!

Mussafah, well, apparently the crystal ball says there's going to be lots happening there. Of course when it does EY will move you out 'cause the rents will be too high. But huge shopping malls etc.... Hotels, the works.

Depends on what you want, and remember it's free so sorta hard to complain... sorta....

And swimming pools, what, two of them, indoors, outstanding! Where do I sign up? Kahlifa City B got none of that...

I'll believe that when I see it.

Meanwhile the reality of Mussafah today is spelt out in today's National.

MUSAFFAH // Thousands of workers are living in makeshift dormitories and potentially unsafe conditions in the industrial town of Musaffah, according to the authorities.

The light industries section of Musaffah could be easily mistaken for a city slum. Satellite dishes sprout from the top of low-rise buildings, personal belongings hang from windows and clothes lines stand on the sides and the backs of scrap and repair shops.

One building has been turned into workers’ accommodation at the back of a service station. To enter the building, you have to pass a group of unused, dusty cars and navigate a dark, narrow alley reeking of rotten water and cigarettes.

Beneath the staircase are two massive air-compressors, feeding the service station. Workers hang their blue overalls on the walls surrounding the two engines.

At first glance, there is nothing unusual about another building, the Rony Miah repair shop, with fridges and air-conditioning units lined up at the front. However, inside, there are at least six people living on beds without mattresses in the attic, made of plywood and steel. The workers refuse to criticise their living conditions because they say there are no better options. “In Abu Dhabi, you can’t live in a shop, and in Musaffah, you can’t, said Rony, the shop owner 28, who also lives in the attic. “What am I going to do?”

Looks like Mussafah wont be getting those "huge shopping malls etc.... Hotels, the works.." anytime soon.

from today's Business24-7

Authorities in Abu Dhabi have allowed hundreds of companies in the vast Musaffah industrial city to build houses for their workers.

The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (HCSEZ), which runs Musaffah and other industrial zones, will oversee the construction of the project.

The decision to build houses in those areas followed repeated complaints by workers about poor living conditions and unannounced visits by inspectors from Abu Dhabi Municipality and Ministry of Labour to company quarters and stores, which housed thousands of workers, mostly Asians.

Musaffah, one of the largest industrial zones in the Gulf, houses thousands of companies involved in various types of activities. At least 5,000 workers are employed by those firms, mostly from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India.

OK to be precise, Mussafah and S/Bin Zayed cities are two different beasts, albeit sep by a large road... My fault for the wrong naming....

If you move (like you have a choice...) to SBZ at least you wont have far to go to get yer car serviced!! :8

Geez! Fly Dubai!

Even if you remove the housing of Dhm15000 per month (compared to Company housing at EY), that's 42000 to fly a B737.

And, pay you to fly on an OFF Day. ooooff! :D

US Expats at EY?
 

Does the US tax situation work out OK?
Specifically, are you able to get away with hiding more from Uncle Sam. Foreign income tax credit is 83K a year, but does EY give the equivalent of an W-2 that would be hard to keep the IRS from finding out more?

Thanks

know we are talking,

These apartment are actually quite spacious, and the whole project is an attempt to get some decent housing quick. Not really my cup of tea in the long term but certainly a huge improvement on living in a hotel room. The swimming pools are not very large for a serious swimmer. (About 12m by my pacing) but will be great for kids while mums dissolve in jaccuzzi....

For those that dont know it, EY has taken 10 apartment blocks of 12 floors, out of about 15 in development. It isnt Mussafah.... except to those who want to run it down.... unless Abu Dhabi is being renamed Dubai South. SMBZC is next to Mussafa, but there are lotsa nice suburbs worldwide next to less desirable ones. The villas (not EY) being built around SMBZC dont look too cheap!

The buldings at the front are all a new shopping Mall and office blocks so there is no need to consider those 'nearest supermarket' photos on the website linked above.

Google Earth 24°22'16.84"N 54°32'16.39"E

Someone else asked about EK the same question, for EY, is the housing allowance direct cash deposit into your account or how does it work?

Many thanks.

Positives?
 

Hi all,

Are there any positives to working for Etihad? What do you enjoy about it? It can't be all bad can it?

Is it possible that I'm getting a glimpse at the working practices of middle eastern companies through the vague and slightly unprofessional way they seem to be starting their cadet scheme? Beginning of August I get an e-mail saying "please come to second phase in Abu Dhabi at either end of August or October/November"; I reply immediately asking for end of August. Next week is as end of August as you can get and no word, not even to confirm receipt of my e-mail. Additionally, their e-mail was batch sent out to all of the candidates and as a result I have all their e-mail addresses and they have mine - good job protecting data and being professional.

When I phoned direct to the sender of the e-mail she said that it was all in hand and not to worry; no explanation, no dates, no interest.

Is this a dreadful pattern emerging and should I turn back now while I still have the chance or has this thread been filled with so much negativity that is all to easy to find?

GOEasy May you tell us more about the apartments itself, thats ( what size square meter or feet, number of bed rooms ). Does Etihad supply appliances like stove fridge washer and dryer etc.
Thanks