Possible move to Dubai, possibly quite soon. Anyone out there with good advice on areas for families, schools, life in general?

[Desertrunner]

DP (about to be DH) is in final stages of interview for a senior role in Dubai. Assuming he gets it, I believe I will be a quick turnaround so potentially we would be over there in July. Therefore I have been researching schools, areas etc and so far potentially can get the kids into Repton, with a view to living at Arabian Ranches or Villa Project. Anyone done this, and can give some advice? I know schooling can be a huge issue (with 3 kids this is my primary concern). Have been on expat woman etc and opinions seem to vary wildly so am looking for UK based ladies views if anyone can comment? Thanks

Thanks Joandmax. Thanks for the advice, I am constantly updating poor DP with all these things he needs to ask for. At least he will sound knowledgeable! Your DH's company sound great, I don't want to say on here who DP would be employed by, but am secretly hoping it might be the same company lol.

Oh and I can't wait til I can say DH instead of DP! Getting married in June.

It is a bit of overload of info isn't it!!! But honestly if your DP (very nearly DH!) wants to have a chat my DH would be more than happy to or email him. We were lucky aswell as having a good relocation package my ILs have lived here for 5 years so gave us lots of help too.

If you do plan on being a desertrunner we have a very active Hash House Harriers.

isthiscorrect my family are now definitely moving to Dubai, and I run! I had seen a couple of running clubs, and will look your one up.

Hi JoandMax
That's really kind, I will pass that on to DP nearly DH! I am sure he would be keen to have a chat with your DH on email.

Isthiscorrect - I don't run, Desertrunner is more to do with running off to the desert rather than actually running! But thank you for posting.

Gin - hello! how are you. I have pm'd you.

desertrunner Will PM you back. Veering between panic and excitement right now

Removal companies...? Arghhhh.
I keep wanting to do the little things instead!

Hi Gin- thought you would be busy! Apologies the message was an essay. I'd go with excitement rather than panic - look forward to hearing how you are getting on with housing schools etc when you have a spare minute! Hope all well x

Super congrats to Mr Desertrunner on the job offer. Dubai is a great place to raise a family. Ignore the naysayers.

If its not too late. Personally from all the people I know who have moved here to DXB I wouldnt recommend Allied Pickfords. Nobody else I know has had anything lost or broken only 3 people who all used AP. Not sure if it is this end or the Uk. TBH I suspect it is the UK end as it appears to be packing problems. Removal companies are negotiable on the cost. We had the 3 quotes and I wanted Crown who were in the middle. I told them that and the matched the price of the lowest and we went with them. Highly recommended.
Desertrunner Hash House are a world wide group not just local to DXB.
I'm assuming you know weekends now are Friday Saturday and we have the 3 hour time difference when you contact the registrars. Agree with pp that it is very common to move schools to get your preferred choice. All the KHDA outstanding schools are wildly oversubscribed. Generally registrars are lovely and overworked and really appreciate a kind word.
Media City is an easy location to get to from most anywhere in Dubai. The real problem with living at the Villa is the fact there is a 9km stretch of road between the Ranches and the Al Ain road, the only off turning is to the Villa so its a huge U turn. DS has 2 friends who live out there, fortunately they both drive now so I dont have to. And just one very small corner shop. The villas are beautiful if you can put up with that. Prices for villas are going up but dont let the real estate agent/relocation agent pressure you. Many villas will become vacant in July as people leave DXB for their next posting. Most important when you find a villa is to find out about maintenance. Some ll are way better than others and it will make a difference to the quality of your life.
Cars are cheap to buy and to hire. Everyone has a large 4x4, embrace it, it will be the only chance most people ever get. Seriously the driving is mad you will want a bigger car to feel safer from all the nutters. Petrol is cheap, good job because you will never be out of the car between school, shopping, after school activities, visitors etc.
Dont be a martyr, get a maid to do the cleaning. It is lovely to have the chance to spend time with your children and enjoy the lifestyle and you will spend a lot of time driving to their friends etc so enjoy the time and dont spend it cleaning IMVHO.
Any questions ask away.

Hi Isthiscorrect.

Thanks for all that info. Mr Desert hasn't got the offer yet, but we should know fairly soon, fingers well and truly crossed! He has, however, been advised to look into housing and schooling, hence my posts!
I have been told by both Repton and Gems Wellington Silicon Oasis that they (currently) would have spaces for my kids, do you have any idea which of these is best? Very contradictory opinions online on expatwoman etc so I am not sure what to think!
Good to know media city is easily accessed and we are looking hopefully towards Arabian ranches as our first option for housing - is that where you are based? Advice about maintenance is great, hadn't thought of that. Also good to know there may be good villa availability in July.
I must admit to being a bit daunted by the tales of crazy drivers though, but I guess its something you get used to after the first couple of weeks of total terror on the roads!
The idea of being able to spend more time with the kids is great, and opportunities for them to do lots of new activities would be fantastic. I know they would absolutely love it!!
Thanks again and if/when we know we are definitely coming I will no doubt be here asking another hundred questions!

Hello!

No I dont live there but in local land, aka Umm Suqeim down by the beach. I would suggest against all the others suggestions that you live in a compound in local land. Plenty of space, shared pool, gym, space for the kids to run around. A whole different experience than living in an expat enclave. I have done both. Check out the websites for Arenco and Al Wasl they do compounds. Dubizzle is great but DO NOT believe any photos at all, real estate agents here are the laziest people in the world (and yes I am aware that is a generalization).
As for schools both GEMS DSO and Repton are in the same location. Repton once held the honour (???) of being the most expensive school in Dubai, long gone now. My friend is a teacher there and seems quite happy. Another friend has her son at DSO and she is very happy with the progress he has made.
In terms of distance they are both almost as far as you can get from Media City. In an ideal world you would be looking at JAPS, Kings and JPS. However I do understand this is probably not possible. Will you have a relocation agent? Because usually they have some sway with the registrar. And again I say if your DH co will pay for it get on the waiting list at as many schools as possible. Know this that they do not go in number order, so just because you are number 2 on the list does not mean you will get the second available space!!! Please dont ask me to comment on the rights and wrongs of this. So what I am saying is get on the waiting list where you would like to be, there is always movement at the end of the year and of course those who just dont turn up in September. Hold your nerve and that is easier said than done.
Must dash its yr 13 prom tonight so plenty to do.
Anymore questions please keep asking.

Hi Desert,
I have friends and former colleagues who teach at both the schools you mention (although I know more teachers from Repton). Repton has been established for longer. They are both International Baccalaureate rather than A Level schools (if that makes a difference). Wellington SO I think does the MYP (Middle Years Programme) and they are working towards having over 2000 pupils so it's going to be a huge school. My friend who is an English Teacher at Repton really rates it.
Hope this helps.
Once you're here, it's sometimes easier to work out the best schools and areas; it's very transient and children move schools all the time.

There is a new GEMs school opening in The Villa in September, and there is a Spinneys being built there too (Waitrose). It's a lovely place to live.

Some tips:
Just make sure OP that when you get married, change your driving licence and anything else before you go to Dubai. The authorities there do not like different names or anything. I had to retake my driving test in the desert of Fujairah because I had a European driving licence and a British passport.

Also regarding the passport photos - have them taken in any photo shop in the Mall of The Emirates (for instance) as they are actually done properly (not in a booth in the UK) and they give you masses for a cheap price, plus you can get more when you want.

Dubizzle is useful for looking at property and seeing prices although they talk about "type" of house rather than bedrooms etc, so you might need to google the house to see the plan. Don't dismiss 2 beds or 3 beds as you will find that a "study" will make a bedroom.

Check you don't have to pay maintenance charges (check the house is under warranty), these can be crippling. Believe it or not, you might have to get a burst pipe repaired yourself and pay for it yourself, the Landlord doesn't necessarily do or pay for it! You also pay a considerable amount to the estate agent when you secure a property you want.

Buy the biggest, most robust 4 x 4! Toyota Prado or Landcruiser or Nissan!

Hi all
Sorry I don't have time to reply properly as dashing out in a minute but just wanted to say thank you for all the really great info.
Will reply properly later!

Hello!
Thank you Truly for the schools info. Good to know Repton is ok, such mixed reviews online. I think we will go and see them if we get over there before July and see which we like I guess.

Like the sound of Waitrose - my bank card might not though. Too nice!

Also thanks Saminthemiddle - I will make sure I get everything changed to the new name etc for easiness. Also thanks for the housing info and also re cars. I love big cars anyway so sounds like the perfect excuse to have another big one. I need 7 seats for kids anyway!

I am quite scared at the thought of the crazy drivers - is it really really bad?

Honestly the driving is really not bad at all, roads are big and you do get the odd idiot but nowhere near as bad as I expected! Much worse at night though, during the day its relatively calm........

The worse bit is getting used to the layout of roads and junctions, always carry a map and a minimum quarter of a tank of fuel for the inevitable getting lost moments!

Apoliogies, not really relevant - I have been reading this open-mouthed. I lived in Dubai as a chilld - when Dubai English Speaking School was the only one (my dad was in the group, along with the then-head of DESS, who negotiated with the Sheikh for the land for the Jumeirah one) and Jumeirah was a deserted, slightly down-at-heel stretch of sand reached across the desert! I still remember the joy when the first bakery selling leavened, western-style bread opened, and fresh milk was a pipe-dream; everything was made up from powdered, including school mid-morning milk (boak)

Hi teacher
Sounds like its changed a lot since you were there!

My memories are of it lookijng a lot more like the old pictures on here:
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2144613/Pictures-Dubai-1960s-1970s-city-fishing-settlement.html
even though we weren't there till mid 1970s.

(In the picture of the clock tower, the one and only supermarket selling Western goods was in the block to the bottom right on the picture. We particularly remember the out-of-date faded brown jellies and having to seive the weevils out of the flour before using it!]

And the school looked like the 1970s pictures (in fact I think one of my brothers might be in the class 'pre-uniform' photo) from here:
dessdubai.com/about-dess/school-history/

The only swimming pool was at what we called the 'Club'.

Oh wow! Just looked at your links. Amazing to see how much it has been developed!

Why no queries as to why you would want to move to Dubai? Are you comfortable making money in a place which was not only built on the back of human rights abuses but which still to this day amasses riches for the few by treating most of its inhabitants like slaves? If that doesn't bother you at all, go take advantage.

Lornemalvo, what do you really know about it apart from what you read in the press? Because your information is woefully out of date or are countries not allowed to make progress? Because things are not perfect here but certainly changing. Progress is being made and far more quickly than in some other countries. So get off your high horse and give credit where it is due. IMVHO of course.

ranches ladies
looks fricken HORRENDOUS