Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Help needed for information on living in Dubai - a tad long-
Hello All,
I am wondering if someone can provide me information with regard to living in Dubai. I have another IN who may be moving there and is wondering about the basic costs such as Internet, telephone (mobile or land line better and how much is the average especially when looking to calls to Europe or the States), as well as utilities?
Also any information that could be provided about insurance (home insurance when renting, health insurance, etc.) or any other information that could be provided such as banking. The IN (male) will be moving with his wife and he is also wondering about the expat community for networking for her.
The area they are looking at will be either Dubai Marina or Jumeirah Beach Residence or anything that will allow for easy walking, going for a coffee, go to the beach, restaurant, shopping without using a car. Their residence will also have to have easy access to the road toward Abu Dhabi to commute for work.
Any information that anyone could provide would be extremely appreciated.
Thanks.
Xorrie
Re: Help needed for information on living in Dubai - a tad long-
I used to live in Abu Dhabi. My housing was provided by the school so I don't know much about finding housing or insurance, but for phones, cell phone is the way to go. I can't remember how much my cell was but it was cheaper than my US plan by quite a bit. No one I knew had a land line. For calls to the States I just used Skype.
There are two internet/cell providers: Etisalat and Du. Etisalat is often referred to as "Shitisalat" because, well, they suck. Du is newer and more widespread in Dubai--they didn't offer service in most of AD when I lived there last year. It's worth comparing the options. If I could have switched to Du I would have, they have a much better reputation especially for internet services.
While shopping, etc. without a car was practical in downtown AD where I lived (I was next door to a mall) from what I've heard about Dubai, it is not at all practical to do that there, especially if they are in Jumeirah which is not in the city center. It would be like living in LA with no car--it seems like it's just not done there. Where will he be working?
Meetup.com has a lot of groups for expats in the UAE. I met people through work but if I weren't working I would have used that to get out and make friends.
I'll add more if I think of it, but hope this helps
Thank you for the information.
Please do keep it coming.
Any data will be helpful.
Cheers,
Xorrie
Most cell phone service is pay as you go and you can get credit at grocery stores, gas stations, etc. Incoming calls and texts are free and outgoing us super cheap. I have an additional blackberry social package (BBM, facebook but no internet or emal) for about $12/month. DH has a postpaid blackberry global internet package for about $80/month. We both have etisalat and have had no problems. We have du for our house as a tv, phone, internet package since bundling was cheaper and that's about $100/month. Utilites for our 3,000sqft house run about $200 during the summer and half that in the winter. When we were in a 1,500sqft apartment, it was less than $100 in the summer. We're pretty conservative though.
We don't have renters insurance and health insurance is provided by DH's employer. Speaking of which, make sure everything is negotiated into your employment contract before signing. They should be willing to include housing allowance and health insurance at the very least and many employers include transportation and schooling allowances. If they have kids, make sure they negotiate schooling as it's expensive out of pocket.
As far as housing, I'd recommend both JBR and the marina. Tons of restaurants and whatnot and it's close to two metro stops which give you access to everything along the main highway including mall of the emirates and dubai mall. Taxis are pretty cheap though if you need to use one.
Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And excuse the typos... Im on my phone.
Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residence are two different areas. JBR is connected to the marina and has tons of access to restaurants, grocery, etc and wouldn't need a car with the metro and taxis. Jumeirah on the other hand is spread out and would need a car. However, if he's working in Abu Dhabi he would need a car unless his company provides transportation.
Dubai is relatively cheap for utilities (although I did come from NYC); I had a studio that was larger than my studio in NYC and spent maybe 30 dollars for electricity and water/month, 200 for internet (fastest speed available), cable and a landline, with a few international calls. I didn't pay for insurance or anything like that.
There is also socialcirclesae.com (or something like that) and duplays for sports as well as the normal meetup.com stuff.
Dubai is relatively cheap and super easy for meeting people from all over the world. I lived in JBR and loved it. That's the best place to live if the husband will have to commute to AD daily.
Thank you both so much for this information.
Please keep any tips or ideas you think of coming.
I will PM or post with further questions.
Thanks again. If I did not say so already thanks a super lot.
Cheers and have a great day further.
Xorrie