Dubai Forums Dubai Expat Forums Dubai Expat Help Forum

Hi,

I (along with my spouse) am moving to Dubai in March 2006. I was hoping to get some insight on the following questions:

1) What are attractive places to live (ideally looking for 2 or 3 bedroom apartment with gym/pool/etc; relatively new building; a relatively short -- 30 min max -- commute to DIFC; and btw 75-125k in annual rent)

2) What are the broadband connectivity options? Speeds, costs?

3) Any restrictions with using Internet telephony options like Skype, MSN Messenger or Yahoo Messenger?

4) Can you receive US tv channels via satellite? I am most interested in sports channels like ESPN, Fox Sports, etc so I can watch NFL, NBA, NCAA, etc

5) Do any of the gyms/health clubs have indoor basketball courts? Any adult basketball leagues?

6) What does membership cost at the golf clubs?

Any insights would be appreciated.

Before I start, my advice is: You're in the Middle East, make use of that, mix with the people, they won't bite, learn new things and new leisures.

As for your questions:-

1-For 75-125k you can get a villa in The Springs or the other complexes in that area. The compound includes a pool/gym in most cases. Your budget is very very good, so you won't have trouble finding what you want almost anywhere in Dubai. I recommend Jumeirah or the newer compounds/buildings around Sheikh Zayed road (If you prefer a building). ALmost all the new buildings come with a gym/pool ...etc.

2- 256/128Kbps (140Dhs per month)/ 512/128 (180Dhs per month)/ 1Mbps 249Dhs per month/ 2Mbps (not sure about the price, might be 350Dhs). The customer service/consistency/installation is very good. Some websites which contain anti-Islamic/ pro-Zionist/ Pornographic material are blocked, but you can access it all if you have an AOL account.

3-No restrictions except the ones I just mentioned.

4-Yes you can, any channel you want. There are different "companies" like ART/ORBIT/AWAEL/ShowTime ... etc, and each of those has bought the rights for different US channels, so pick and choose, it's cheap as well. You might want to try Cable channels from the major (and almost only) ISP/Telecommunication company , Etisalat.

5-Yes, this is Dubai, not Mongolia . Not sure about Basketball leagues, but I know that a lot of the youth play it due to the whole Rap/Hip Hop culture lol.

6-No idea...... but come on, go for Sand duning or Falcon hunting so you'd have something to talk about when you're back home

I Hope that helped.

HI,
I guess linda has answered most of the questions:).
There is UAE basketball association here and their contact number is
+971-40-2668800.

hope that helps.

Cheers,

Jerry

I missed on the golf clubs,

Yes there are golf clubs, Jebel ali golf club, dubai creek golf and yatch club, emirates golf club and a few more, so no worries about golfing, for the rates i am not aware of them but maybe i can provide u with this information later.

cheers,

Jerry

Thanks Linda. Very helpful information.

Just wanted some additional information on housing options. If my goal is to limit my commute time to 30 minutes by car (and I will be working near the DIFC on SZ Road), what complexes/neighborhoods are on the "outer limit" of this range. I'm trying to get a general sense of what areas make most sense to explore.

Also, I may be working from my home at times so wanted to get a sense of noise levels during the day, since it seems that construction crews are omnipresent in Dubai, particularly in many of the new residential complexes.

Thanks again.

Hi,
I cannot reccoment the Green Community enough...its like an oasis in the desert. Avoid the springs at all costs. Its like one huge compound of villas looking identical to each other and the traffic in/out adds 30/45 mins to journey. Have a look also at the Dubai Marina,some very nice apartments there. The new Greens '2' complex is also rather nice. Check out Emaar properties for the Marina and greens but check out Union properties for the Green Community. But as i said the Green Community in my opinion is the best housing area in Dubai by far.
John

Linda

Can you let me have details of how you got an AOL account in Dubai please. Or do you mean accessing a AOL account based outside of Dubai?

thanks

Go to http://www.aol.co.uk/products/anytime/

Pick the package that says "Anytime". Subscribe, make up a username.

Then download the AOL browser from the site or Download.com (version 8.0 is good).

Configuring the browser is a little tricky. I'll tell you about it if you can't figure it out.

Sign on and browse away.

The reason I went for AOL UK is because you have to be a US resident for AOL america. But it's an identical service anyway.

By subscribing you're just paying for accessing the web through the AOL portal. AOL is not your ISP.

I live in a large apartment complex almost directly next to DIFC. Has 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments available. For 2-bedroom, rent approx 88,000 - 96,000 Dhs. Called Al Murooj. Has nice large pool, good gym, sauna, jacuzzi, tennis courts and squash court and several restaurants.

Best regards,

Interesting times ahead, abcd!

Welcome to Dubai!

Are you with one of the financial institutions?