Durrat Al-Bahrain (AKA Mirage Al-Bahrain)
 

I took a LONG drive down to Durrat Al-Bahrain yesterday to see how it was progressing (See the billboards, adverts, etc.. got me curious).

The first thing I noticed was the exceptionally long drive down there from Budaiyah (40 minutes on a Friday afternoon with absolutely NO traffic). Upon arrival at the round-a-bout I saw to the left what looked like completed islands (with houses!). To the right, worker's accomidations and the sales office where the water park, that was 80% complete in 2003, used to be (they tore it down in 2005).

I decided to drive out to the "finished" islands and look at the houses. I was stopped by the security guard (al la Tala Island) who said entry was forbidden. I inquired why, he said it was not open yet. I asked his how is one supposed to buy a property if one cannot look at it. He directed me to the sales office.

At the sales office I asked the polite salesman what happened to the water park that used to be behind the sales office? He said there was never any water park there, to which I relied "then what's that water park entrance behind the sales office?". He was rather bewildered so I dropped the subject.

I inquired as to why I couldn't see the islands and the, what seemed to be completed, houses. He informed me that they are still working on them but he could arrange a tour of the show house. I said that would not be necessary. I then inquired about other necessities of life, i.e. Petrol Station, Grocery Store, Bank, etc.. To which he said "they will come, inshallah". He then said that all this was a short drive away down the highway. I said thank you for the information, good luck with selling those houses as this expat will think about again in a few years, IF they get the golf course built, and address all my other concerns and drove home.

BAH property
 

GAGing,

Do you have any idea about the current property market in BAH at the moment? Are prices and rental costs coming down like in DXB? I have heard that they are but no one I've talked to seems to have had first hand experience or witnessed prices dropping themselves.

The reason I ask is that I may relocate there in July and was wondering what I might find for my budget 2,000$ / month.

Would you go rental or purchase? or say rental for 6months and then purchase? Alot of questions I know, any informed feedback most welcome.

All the best.

Bahrain is not Dubai.

The Dubai property market was directed mainly to expats who mainly took out loans to purchase the properties.

The Bahrain property market is directed mainly at Saudis who tend to purchase things differently.

Property prices in Bahrain are somewhat influenced by Dubai, but don't hold your breath for a free fall, which may occur in Dubai.

As for renting, I seriously doubt that droping property prices will effect rents by much. Not an Arab thing.

As for buying property anywhere in the ME right now. As been said in other threads: Not even with your 10 ft pole. :ouch:

Durrat Al Bahrain