Abu Dhabi - prohibitively expensive?!

[BlueMoonRoses]

Hi there, we returned to the UK from Bahrain three years ago but now looking at going back to ME. DH has had a couple of approaches from companies in AD but, on doing a bit of research into school fees and rents, I was horrified at the costs. We have four DCs and it looks like school fees will be around £35,000 a year (2 at secondary and 2 at primary) and a 6 bed villa could be up to £50,000 (AED 300,000) a year. Is that really right or am I getting my sums wrong or looking at too high-end stuff? Also, I don't know where to be looking for accommodation to get good estimates - all I can really tell is that KCA and KCB would be too far out for us and Al Karama looks best bet so far. We lived in a compound in Al Jasra in Bahrain, 5 minutes drive from the British School so would be good to get something similar.

Thanks for any advice on best locations and any views on British School vs Cambridge High School vs Al Yasmina welcome too.

[bubblesaregreat]

We are in AD so hopefully I can answer a few of your questions.
More often than not, companies give an allowance for school fees. If your DH is taking a position with a government company he will get help with fees and housing. Getting school places will be hard, especially if you want them all at the same one (most go from age 3 - 18). Primary places are the hardest. Best thing to do is find a school place and then decide where to live. Seriously. There are quite a lot of schools offering the British system, both A-levels and IB. Google BSAK, BISAD, Brighton, Cranleigh, Raha International and Yasmina.

Don't dismiss living off island. We love living in the KCA area and I hardly ever go on island. KCB is too far I think, but more and more people living there. You get much more for your money off island also. BISAD, Yasmina and Raha are all off island.

Dhs300,000 is a lot to pay for accommodation. Plenty in that bracket, but lots for less. I know people in a 4 bed in Karama compound for Dhs210,000. Old villas though. We pay Dhs165,000 for 4 bed with lovely garden. New villa. Plenty in the 200K area, with pools if you want one. See what your DH is offered as a housing allowance and go from there.

[BlueMoonRoses]

Thanks. I looked again at Google Earth having seen where the news GEMS school is and KCA, Between The Bridges and Musaffah all look good. am slightly less worried now but good to know some cost facts before we get any sort of progress so we can judge what we'd need to make the move worthwhile. I was used to driving in Bahrain to get to doctors and shops and know what to expect from other drivers so maybe off island will be just fine for us, especially if it's a bit more suburban. I get what you mean about schools - you never know, might get an employer with debentures (dreaming on...).

[BlueMoonRoses]

Hi, resurrecting this one. DH off for his final interview and we have a provisional offer. We have 240K to spend on housing but I'd rather keep it to 200K and use the excess to supplement school fees (current offer is at the Al Yasmina level) and keep Cranleigh as an option, although Al Yasmina is my first choice or Pearl Primary/Al Bateen combo with Brighton College also a favourite. I know I'm dreaming on here. Anyway, I think it'll be KCA and I've seen a lovely 5 bed at 190K. Can anybody help with views on the drive from KCA to Saadiyat where Cranleigh is? Can deal with 30 minutes each way (currently London commuter taking 1.5 hours each way so anything less is double bonus :)). Also, best compounds at KCA?

Am WAY too excited...

[bubblesaregreat]

KCA to Cranleigh would take about 25 mins each way. Depends how many pickups you have to do. Younger children often finish earlier. I know they plan to offer a full day if you want, 8am-6pm, so doing all homework etc at school for older ones.

KCA to Pearl would be pretty grim. Yasmina and Brighton would be fine. Again, they all do slightly different finish times so if you are near then it would be ideal. Lots of the older children from Yasmina get taxi's home. Cheap and plentiful.

Did you look at Al Raha Gardens? Probably the biggest compound in KCA. But there are lots of smaller ones, with maybe 6-10 villas, often sharing a pool. These are usually a bit cheaper and often bigger and if you are looking for 5 or 6 bedrooms are a great option. Lots of people leave Raha Gardens for smaller compounds in KCA after a year or two as they want more for their money. For these compounds it would be best to look once you have arrived. In fact for all property as you usually have to sing immediately or it will go. Plenty of agents and they will take you to see lots in one day. Downside of these compounds might be 'playing out' for your smaller ones as in Raha Gardens there are parks and not much traffic. KCA however has some great parks that you can easily drive to.

Also look at Raha Beach as there are a few developments there. Mainly apartments (v nice) and some town houses. Al Zeina is an example. Also has it's own private beach which is an advantage.

[BlueMoonRoses]

Thanks. I saw a lovely 5 bed at Al Raha Gardens. Definitely an option. Re schools, BSAK pretty certain to be a no and not likely at Al Yasmina for a while. Waiting to hear about Cranleigh but it'd be a stretch if we got in there, but it looks amazing and may be worth it... Any views on Al Raha and BISAD?

Oh, and I have a cocker spaniel we'd be bringing...

[bubblesaregreat]

Raha is IB, so depends if you want your older children to swop to that system (if they aren't doing it already). I looked round it and didn't like the KG rooms/space, but the part of the school the older children are in looked great. Good sport facilities. If you live in Raha Gardens also they will easily be able to walk/cycle in the cooler months.

BISAD gets mixed reviews. I know some people though who love it. It's also quite a drive though and would be a pain if you have to do it more than once a day each way.

Usually it is a bit easier to find school places for older children, it's the FS/lower primary years that are always very over subscribed. If you can get your older children in BSAK, Yasmina or Brighton then I would put them there and accept to do separate schools for a while for your younger children.

I used the American Vets (www.americanvets.ae) to bring out our car and they were brilliant. Expensive of course, but hassle free and v easy. Just start looking now into all the paperwork as that part can take quite a while.