Dubai? With two toddlers? Should we even consider it?

[HettyAmaretti]

DP was called this morning with an offer for a job in Dubai. Details are sketchy, he works away and was only able to call briefly before work, I'll know more later.

This is totally out of the blue and I know as good as nothing about Dubai. But, I'm assuming it'd be insanity to even consider going with two toddlers.

Anyone got any advice or experience?

We lived in Oman for three years, DD was born there and it is nowhere near as cosmopolitan as Dubai.
You seem to be dismissing it out of hand, I think you are bonkers. We really enjoyed our time in the ME and I hope someone who lives there now will come along and give you more info.
Mine would be seven years out of date.

Oh, really? I don't want to dismiss it out of hand if it's anything like worth considering. TBH I assumed it's be much more for single people / young couples.

Any info (even out of date) would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry, this will be really brief, it was really lively with enough stuff for kids to do to keep them happy.
Our friend who delivered in Oman moved to Dubai with her DH and DS and went on to have another boy there.
The health care is good and the people are lovely.
I can't comment on the cost of living, as, it was seven years ago that we left.
I know there are other MNers who live there so I really hope they come on soon.
Have you done a search?

I've interviewed for several nanny jobs in Dubai. Lots of expat wives with children so lots of activities but it depends on the package. Definitely do the research into what's standard/good because if you're there, or anywhere, on a bad package you'll be miserable.

I live in Dubai. You will love it here! It's a great place for families, very safe, good schools, help at home very cheap. Fabulous restaurants, beaches, shopping malls...

Please feel free to PM me if you like.

Thanks all!

Am still in the middle of the morning chaos routine so haven't looked into anything yet. No idea how to start finding that sort of thing out TBH. It's taken me somewhat by surprise, to say the least.

I'll have a dig in the archive when the DC give me a chance.

I'm already an expat and have no family or other help here so I suppose that wouldn't really be a change. It'd good for the DC's ENglish I suppose. We're going to have to sell up and move this year anyway, whatever happens...

Oh dear, this has put me in quite a tizz. We assumed it wouldn't really be an option at all and now from the little info I have it's looking potentially very attractive.

The DC (18 months and 3.1) are having a crazy morning. I must take them out now, but any tips, advice or info would be greatly appropriated.

I lived there for a year (pre DS) and quite liked it but I always thought it was far more attractive to families than to singles/ couples without children.

My only thing would be to say that you'll probably find yourself coming back to the UK for at least a month in the summer because it is hot like nowhere else I've known. You literally cannot hang around outside for more than 2-3 mins.

Big pluses are no income tax whatsoever, nice weather 8 mths of the year, can drive and park everywhere, lots of stuff going on for children, lots of SAHMS, very affordable live in help.

Just to add, go on expatwoman.com if you want to ask specific questions- they have a very fast moving forum.

Thanks BaggedandTagged. Is it not just like one big hotel complex full of very, very rich people?

I lived there before Hetty and loved it. We only moved because the company sent us elsewhere or we'd have happily stayed. It's a great place to be with small children. Lots of stuff going on. A real mix of people and we found lots of fun.

It's not full of very rich people, although there are plenty of them. There are also lots of really nice people who live very normal lives - just in the sun!

• found 'it' lots of fun

I live here in Dubai with a 4 and a 3 year old, am certainly not rich, live in a 'normal' sort of neighbourhood (mixed - locals, expats, etc - - not very expensive), and know normal, nice, people (well not everyone I know is necessarily nice, but I do know plenty of nice ones!)

recommend....!!

There are some mega rich people- usually Emiratis or Saudis and so you see some quite amusing sights that prove money cant buy taste- such as the gold stretch Hummer I saw one night outside the Burj al Arab and a woman in an abaya with "gangsta" written across the back in crystals, BUT as desertgirl says, there are lots of people in a fairly normal income bracket and lots of normal neighbourhoods.

Some of the more popular residential areas with expat families are the Springs, the Meadows and Arabian Ranches. Marina and Old Town are also nice but are mainly apartments (although some of the apartments are massive). Jumeriah is also mainly villas but is quite expensive for what it is IMO, just because it's near the beach. Where you live depends to an extent on where your DH is going to work and also on schools. Not ure if the situtation has eased, but the advice used to be very much "get a school place and then get a house"

We're in Bahrain with 4 young ones. Dubai definitely an option. Very exciting. When I researched Dubai recently it's definitely a case of get a school, then a house so you'd need to get your 3 year old on a wait list asap. Good luck.

I live in Dubai too. Definitely not just a place for the young, single or rich. As a PP said there are lots of families here, particularly families with young children.

The only thing I would say is that you need to ensure your package includes housing and school fees. The school wait lists are nuts and you'll need to get your children down for FS1/Reception ASAP (e.g. 2012 FS1/Reception class lists will be closed at most schools now and it will be wait list only). Nursery places are also in demand, although not as bad as school places. Nursery fees are comparable with school fees so if your company will cover them as well, it'll be a bonus.

Dubai is touted as being tax-free and while there is no income tax, there are plenty of hidden taxes called 'fees' that need to be taken into consideration.

As someone else mentioned, plan to spend the majority of the summer away from Dubai as it is unbearably hot. The heat starts in April/May and doesn't cool off until late October/early November. The winter months are lovely though :)

Best of luck with your decision.

I'm in Dubai with a 4yo and a 2yo.

It is a bit of a naff Disneyland in the sand, but my kids have a fabulous life out here. The best thing for me is my friends - lots of very normal, nice families who keep me sane.

Other plus points:

I live in a huge house. I have fairly cheap help with the cleaning and gardening. My kids can swim most days of the year. We go on fantastic camping trips out of Dubai with friends. There are some beautiful places to drive to. You can buy anything on earth here. The malls are quite fun. There is MASSES to do for young children, fabulous parks, amusement parks, indoor funfairs, aquariums, the BEACH, big open spaces for cycling, scooting, playgrounds everywhere.

It is expensive though. You need a REALLY decent package to make it worth it. We certainly don't wear designer labels or drive a gold plated car out here. I am comparing prices at the supermarket for the weekly shop just like my old life. Also, it is a fake life. Maybe that's just me, but I wouldn't want to stay here for ever. The exploitation, racism and unfairness gets to you. It's not a nice place, but you can live a nice life here.

Dubai is a FANTASTIC place to raise kids. My family were gutted when we moved out here but now they keep telling us never to come home. It's very safe and as long as you get a decent package the standard of living is very high. Defo check expatwoman.com for advice - the people on there are very helpful. Feel free to pm me with any specific questions. Good luck!

Hi Hetty - we're just a bit further on than you - husband got a job in DXB in November, and we're probably going to be there from feb-march. We have one son aged four.

It's all been pretty smooth so far, except finding a school place - which- as others have mentioned - is a bit of a challenge for young kids. That said, I'm really looking forwards to going, and I am remaining positive on the schools front!

If you do decide to go and want to keep in touch - I'd be more than happy to share emails.

Hello

Can I join on behalf of my friend (not a mnetter) who is trying to find info out about Dubai.

She and her husband found out at Christmas that he was being moved to Dubai - he goes Feb 1st and she will follow on with a 5 year old and an 2 year old.

I've read out some of your posts to her - her main question is about schools. She has hit the problem of waiting lists (as you predicted further up the thread).

a) can you recommend any infant/primary schools

b) any advice about the waiting list situation (they are being asked to pay to go on each list - some sort of reservation fee)

c) finally - she's read about the family areas mentioned above. Anyone have any particular favourites?

Many thanks for reading

NBB

Cant help re schools other than to say having to pay to go on waiting lists for international schools is normal unfortunately. It's to stop expats just putting their kids down on every list worldwide to be on the safe side.

eg we are in HK at the moment but if it were free to be waitlisted I wouldn't hesitate to apply for Singapore schools in case we move there and I'd probably do Zurich and Sydney as well.

Re family areas in Dubai, personally I like Arabian Ranches more than the Meadows/ Springs but that's personal choice. People like to joke that AR is full of wife swappers but that's just an urban myth . The houses in meadows and AR are larger than the Springs which is 2/3 bed. Best thing is to go over for a weekend, hire a driver or a taxi for the day and get them to just drive you round and have a look

I would never ever go and live in a country where being a woman is such a disadvantage....

Marnie Pearce.....three very good reasons to avoid these places.

Margaret - I take it you've never been?
I own a house in Arabian Ranches and run a business out there, but am currently back in the UK for the forseeable.
It's not my favourite place in the world, and it is bloody expensive, but with the right package it would be a perfect family adventure - just don't go with any preconceptions - good or bad!

Oh FFS Margaret GraceBondfield, Marnie Pearce was very different. The ladies asking questions here have not indicated they are married to local emiratis which is the only way anything relating to the Marnie Pearce situation would occur. You are being deliberately provocative, you must be a DM reader.

Being a woman is not a disadvantage, I know Mamavents and she runs a great business, perfect for kids look it up on FB. There are many other women who are very sucessful in Dubai as both Mama and I could testify to. I do wholy concur the cost is very expensive. I work in relocations and a family I was assisting made the choice not to come after their look see visit. The costs can be huge. Yes help is cheap for a live in maid, gardener, pool man etc. Cars and petrol are cheap although less so. Housing is coming down in price. Food is so so. You can buy UK food in the supermarkets but at a cost. It isnt perfect but by crikey days like today are just gorgeous.

Personally speaking with as son studying GCSE's I wouldnt move at this time but then i wouldnt move him anywhere, for younger children school wait lists are horrific and yep agree with the poster who said get the school place and then the house.

Want to know anything? Just ask, no question too stupid I promise and yes expatwoman is a brilliant resource.

Hi mamavents