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I'm moving to Dubai in a few weeks time. Yay!

In my first few days, though I'll be in a hotel for short time, I'll have to make a quick decision about where to look for my new home.

So here's the thing - my new office is in Sharjah.

If I choose to live in Dubai I'll be traveling against the traffic for, what, less than an hour each way? I'll also be closer to all the action during the evenings and on weekends, and nearer to all the great expats I'm going to meet... but I'll be paying more or living in a smaller place.

If I choose Sharjah I'll be close to work and I'll be paying less or living in a larger space. But if I socialise in Dubai I'll be driving maybe late at night, or paying a fortune for taxis if I want to drink.

At this stage, Sharjah seems to be winning, slightly, but I'd love to hear the opinions of those who know...

Ok let me try to give some light:

I work in Sharjah Airport Freezone. I live in Dubai. Most of the time I dont have problem with traffic as Im against the flow. 30 min I can go from Sharjah to DXB via Emirates Road or Dubai-Sharjah road.

I envy my colleague who lives in Sharjah. He pays less accomodation. Less electricity and water bill. Taxi fare is cheaper than Dubai.

Are you a family guy?or single? If single which type? are you more accustomed to night out, gigs or clubbin or even malling' ? If you are then Sharjah might be a difficult adjusment for you.

Also keep in mind that Sharjah has strict islamic laws in terms of accompanying women you are not married/related to and alcohol. so if you are caught by the police drunk with a girl you just picked up at the club in Dubai you might find yourself being whipped by a big fat guy who's name is bubba.

MaaaD wrote:Also keep in mind that Sharjah has strict islamic laws in terms of accompanying women you are not married/related to and alcohol. so if you are caught by the police drunk with a girl you just picked up at the club in Dubai you might find yourself being whipped by a big fat guy who's name is bubba.

Not Bubba, but Moe.

Thanks Zam.

Some good understanding and insights.

zam wrote:Ok let me try to give some light:

I work in Sharjah Airport Freezone. I live in Dubai. Most of the time I dont have problem with traffic as Im against the flow. 30 min I can go from Sharjah to DXB via Emirates Road or Dubai-Sharjah road.

So traffic from Sharjah to Dubai is not a big problem then, if you're driving against the flow, outside of rush-hour. About half an hour or so?

zam wrote:I envy my colleague who lives in Sharjah. He pays less accomodation. Less electricity and water bill. Taxi fare is cheaper than Dubai.

I understand you envy your colleague because of a lower cost-of-living, and lower transport costs? Fair enough.

zam wrote:Are you a family guy?or single? If single which type? are you more accustomed to night out, gigs or clubbin or even malling' ? If you are then Sharjah might be a difficult adjusment for you.

No family, single. I'm coming to the UAE as a single woman, in my 30s, no kids, no husband.

Um, what does "which type" mean? I'm Western, English is my first language.

I enjoy a night at home alone with a good book sometimes, I love a great club or party sometimes, I enjoy a well-organised dinner party and I enjoy quiet evenings with my friends sometimes.

So - Dubai or Sharjah?

[Sharjah is still in the lead.]

OK, so I will help you make your decision

If you work in Sharjah Airport Free Zone, then I suggest you stay in Sharjah (given the info in your posts). I too work in the Free Zone so trust me on this, you do not want to be going back into Dubai after 5 pm. It will do your head in - still its not that bad if you are just gonna make one trip, but I tend to move around in Dubai and Sharjah, so if I lived in Dubai and wanted to go back home at some point in the day, I would be stuck for hours in traffic.

I used to live in Garhoud but recently moved to the new Sharjah corniche area (near al Tawoon) which is just a fab place, you can get a sea view from your apartment, and they have some reall luxurious buildings too (at a much lesser price than a Dubai sea view apartment). And best part is the new corniche area is 1/2 way between Shj and Dubai. The old corniche area is also fab, so you could consider there too.

Dubai isnt that far for weekend getaways and partying/dinner - its not a big deal at all.

If you must live in Dubai, then go no further than Garhoud (near Airport) since the traffic gets quite bad beyond that over the bridges and you will go nuts in the traffic - its just not worth it in my opinion.

As much as I liked living in Dubai, I feel that with the traffic situation the way it is, you really need to live somewhat close to where you work to keep your sanity!

Hope I have been of help.. let me know if you have any other questions.. and good luck with your choice

WaterWater - then I recommend Sharjah for you. Just try to find yourself a good spot. Some part of Sharjah is also pretty.

Hey Jag you also work in Sharjah Airport Freezone?????

zam wrote:WaterWater - then I recommend Sharjah for you. Just try to find yourself a good spot. Some part of Sharjah is also pretty.

Hey Jag you also work in Sharjah Airport Freezone?????

Yep! What bout you?

Yeh all sounds quite suspicious I think. Sharjah is far from DXB?

Mike O'Neill wrote:Yeh all sounds quite suspicious I think. Sharjah is far from DXB?

It depends on the time of day.

It's either 5 minutes or 2 hours.

Cryptic I know.

Ian what sorts of resorts are there at Sharjah now?

Mike O'Neill wrote:Ian what sorts of resorts are there at Sharjah now?

Um... Shams. But Sharjah is a dry Emirate, no drinking whatsoever. Except of course at the Sharjah Wanderers Rugby club.

jag wrote:

zam wrote:WaterWater - then I recommend Sharjah for you. Just try to find yourself a good spot. Some part of Sharjah is also pretty.

Hey Jag you also work in Sharjah Airport Freezone?????

Yep! What bout you?

Same same ohh Lord I am not alone....

zam >>>> faints

zam wrote:

jag wrote:

zam wrote:WaterWater - then I recommend Sharjah for you. Just try to find yourself a good spot. Some part of Sharjah is also pretty.

Hey Jag you also work in Sharjah Airport Freezone?????

Yep! What bout you?

Same same ohh Lord I am not alone....

zam >>>> faints

^ian^ wrote:

Mike O'Neill wrote:Ian what sorts of resorts are there at Sharjah now?

Um... Shams. But Sharjah is a dry Emirate, no drinking whatsoever. Except of course at the Sharjah Wanderers Rugby club.

No drinking that is correct. Radisson SAS is a gorgeous resort in Shj.

^ian^ wrote:But Sharjah is a dry Emirate, no drinking whatsoever. Except of course at the Sharjah Wanderers Rugby club.

And except for enjoying a drink or two at home, if you have a personal alcohol licence and bring it in to Sharjah from Dubai?

WaterWater wrote:And except for enjoying a drink or two at home, if you have a personal alcohol licence and bring it in to Sharjah from Dubai?

Yes, you can get a liquor licence in Sharjah and even take the booze you bought in Ajman legally to your home in Sharjah... if you do have a liqour licence.

Hi !

So for a married family guy (we usually stick together, don't go to the pubs etc, just trips at free days, the Sharjah is then the best variance, no matter if the job is there or in Dubai ?

ales_1969 wrote:Hi !

So for a married family guy (we usually stick together, don't go to the pubs etc, just trips at free days, the Sharjah is then the best variance, no matter if the job is there or in Dubai ?

If the job is in Dubai then you have to fight the traffic which will cost you 3 - 4 hours a day behind the wheel

How many times will you go out for a drink or to meet friends in a week? What do you usually do when coming back from office? Straight to home or mostly go out?

If you drink for only for couple of times or on weekend, better you stay in Sharjah for cheaper apartment rent (means more savings), less traffic, faster to reach home. All means less stressful. Moreover you like staying at home. On weekend you'll really enjoy when going out

anyone knows how many possible route you can take from sharjah to dubai, say until deira clock tower? in the morning? does everyone take ittihad road only or other alternatives are equally as bad? been thinking and looking at places in buhaira corniche [nice area] but still not sure about traffic in the morning.

xty wrote:How many times will you go out for a drink or to meet friends in a week? What do you usually do when coming back from office? Straight to home or mostly go out?

If you drink for only for couple of times or on weekend, better you stay in Sharjah for cheaper apartment rent (means more savings), less traffic, faster to reach home. All means less stressful. Moreover you like staying at home. On weekend you'll really enjoy when going out

Dearest, you are asking questions and you seem to answer them also.

JeepDude wrote:anyone knows how many possible route you can take from sharjah to dubai, say until deira clock tower? in the morning? does everyone take ittihad road only or other alternatives are equally as bad? been thinking and looking at places in buhaira corniche [nice area] but still not sure about traffic in the morning.

From Sharjah you can take the industrial road - it will lead to LULU Supermarket (Al Ghusais) to Deira Clock Tower.

JeepDude wrote:anyone knows how many possible route you can take from sharjah to dubai, say until deira clock tower? in the morning? does everyone take ittihad road only or other alternatives are equally as bad? been thinking and looking at places in buhaira corniche [nice area] but still not sure about traffic in the morning.

Unless you leave at 5am, you can count on 70 - 100minutes travel time whatever way you go

asc_26 wrote:Dearest, you are asking questions and you seem to answer them also.

It is called effective and helpful conversation

If you do decide on Sharjah, the area you live in can make a huge difference - traffic inside Sharjah can be just as horrendous as moving beween Sharjah and Dubai.
People living on Buheirah Corniche, or anywhere that involves going through Cultural Roundabout are having to leave earlier and earlier. People I know who live in Mirdiff can get to your neck of the woods, workwise, in far less time than these Sharjites.
Getting to Dubai at the weekends can be a real pain. Lots of people now using the 611 - longer, but at least you keep moving.

Hey, thanks for all the advice. I arrived in the UAE last weekend, and I've chosen Sharjah.

I've moved into my own place (1BHK, they call it - 1 bedroom with 'hall', meaning living room, and kitchen) just off Corniche Road, looking over the full length of Al Majaz Park and over the lagoon. It's light and airy and new, with big living room windows that do justice to the gorgeous view.

My office is also on the lagoon, so traffic isn't an issue.

I'm busy furnishing my place, and getting ready to do the Ajman run when it's time to start stocking up the liquor cabinet! It's only, what, 10km away from here?

I'll stay in Sharjah for at least a year, and then consider moving to Deira or Mirdiff for the social life. But maybe by then I'll have enough friends coming to Sharjah when they realize it's not that uncool!

sauron wrote:If you do decide on Sharjah, the area you live in can make a huge difference - traffic inside Sharjah can be just as horrendous as moving beween Sharjah and Dubai.
People living on Buheirah Corniche, or anywhere that involves going through Cultural Roundabout are having to leave earlier and earlier. People I know who live in Mirdiff can get to your neck of the woods, workwise, in far less time than these Sharjites.
Getting to Dubai at the weekends can be a real pain. Lots of people now using the 611 - longer, but at least you keep moving.

which one is the cultural roundabout?

and, is the official terminology for people living in sharjah 'sharjites' ? not sharjahsider or sharjaher

Cultural Roundabout, otherwise know as Book roundabout, at the top of Wahda street...stacks up pretty bad around 7 am and 5pm.
And if you don't like Sharjite, there is also Sharjah Sharon or Sharjah Sean