Mums in Dubai??

[ShinySarah]

Hi,
My other half has been offered a job in Dubai. We have 2 small boys (2 years and 6 months) but I'm obviously a little hesitant. Would anybody recommend it? Good family life? Standard of living? Good British school?
Just looking for any British mums to share experiences really!
Any thoughts appreciated!!

[generalhaig]

why don't you do a search in this topic on Dubai - you'll see that lots of other people have had similar queries

the terms of your dh's package are key - you need to have enough money to be able to afford decent accomodation (much cheaper in Dubai than Abu Dhabi, but still pricey and you generally have to pay all the year's rent up front), and schools etc

the weather for 8 months of the year is perfect and it's horridly hot in the summer - made worse if Ramadan falls in the summer months so quite a few ex-pats go home for a month or two then - which will impact what you do with your home here - will you have to rent it out or will you be able to keep it free so you have somewhere to stay when you need it

there are good schools but they're very oversubscribed

lots of families with young children there - and many love it

you can also check out expatwoman which has a Dubai forum

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

It's you! Hello from me in Bahrain, although we may be going home vv soon.

Another boy for you. I had a dd in November.

Dubai a good option. Know a few people who've gone recently and we're half hoping DH finds something there.

Expatwoman best for advice on schools. My friend will be moving into the Green Community soon and I have another in Victory Heights. I think Arabian Ranches good too.

Goood Luck.

[ShinySarah]

Helloooooo!!!!!
Is that LC?? AKA Bailey from our fantastic Grey's??!!

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Tis. Miranda Bailey. Ha ha. PM me. Xx

[MumOfStan]

Shiny, we're moving there next weekend with our four year old son. After a bit of a struggle we got our son into a lovely school, and we've both got jobs there. If there's anything you want to know do get in touch. I went on a recce last week and absolutely loved it there.

[ShinySarah]

Mumofstan,
Wow are you excited? That's excellent news that you've got your son into a good school as I've heard it can be difficult. Good luck with the move and keep me posted. You said you both work, what do you do?

[MumOfStan]

Hi Shiny, both my husband and I work in digital communications/advertising. Thanks for your good wishes, and let us know if you do eventually end up moving. The schools thing has to date been the most difficult - but it DID get sorted in the end!

[mumoverseas]

brief hijack Ilove how are you doing there? Have been wondering about you and the other MNers in Bahrain. DH was there just over a week ago before it kicked off and are watching carefully to see if it will spread to KSA.
Hope you are all ok and keeping safe x

Shiny and mumofstan good luck, a really good friend of mine moved to Dubai around 5 years ago when I moved to KSA and she loves it. Her DC go to JESS and she lives on Arabian ranches and loves it. I'm very envious of the freedom she has there. I'm sure you will love it.
I'm in the UK at the moment but returning to KSA next week stopping off in DXB for 5 days on the way back. Can't wait

[ILoveGregoryHouse]

Hi mumoverseas it's fine now. Sort of. I'm sure you'll appreciate the media bias that has made the Bahrain as reported unrecognisable from the one we know and love. Nuff said though. We've decided to go back home to the uk at the end of March but may get back out to GCC, hopefully Dubai.

[mumoverseas]

Glad all ok there. Hopefully the media will calm down and our ban on going there will be lifted. A lot of friends due to be driving over later this week for half term.

Good luck in your move back to the UK. We may be returning this summer but not yet decided and I'm dreading the packing and shipping!