Mums in Dubai!

[Inca]

Hi there!

My DH got a joboffer in Dubai and now we will consider moving..again,4 countries for the last 5years! But excited and we were there on holiday a few years ago and I liked it. Altough it is something different to live there, and now I would like as much information as you sweet mums over there could give me! We have two boys, 1.5 and 3.5years. Where are the nice areas to live, where could you live close to the beach and hopefully have a oceanview? Which are the best schools, how big are the schools and each class?
What can you do besides shopping? Can you do sports like running or is it too hot? What about cycling or inlineskating?
And the summers, is it too hot?? Are there some playgroups, brunch/lunch/wine with mums and so on?
Thanks, Inca

Congratulations
Dubai is a fab place to live. It can be a bit superficial but the can do attitude is amazing. Try expatwoman.com. It is based in DXB aka the big construction site, and the info board is a positive treasure trove of info.
Find out where dh is going to work and aim for schools and villa nearbye, traffic can be appalling. Loads to do in the way of sport, restaurants, family activities, free stuff.
Tell me what else you need to know and I will try to help.

Thanks Starmummy!
He will work for Emirates, guess we will end up in Silicon oasis, do you know the area? Close to the beach? Some nice schools around? Playgroups? How is daily life, expat meet-ups?
Inca

Hello
Silicon oasis is great, its a lovely community. some people feel it can be a little claustraphobic (sp?) after a while because so many people work for Emirates. In the other hand it is so easy to get to know people. It isnt next to the beach so no sea view but then most people unless they live in v exp jumeriah or the marina have sea views. Plenty of people go running, play tennis, football etc but normally in the winter, maybe October time onwards. You do see people skating and for kids there are a number of skateparks. Schools maybe a problem as most have waiting lists, but hey you've got time to get them on the waiting list. The scxhools are open admin hours dueting the summer usually something like 9 till 1. Probaly you need to look at DESS (Dubai English Speaking School) Good school and the nearest to you,which feeds to DESC (xxx College). Everybody drives in Dubai, and you need too as it is too hot to walk, except on the beaches or in the beautiful parks. Today is 45 with 60% humidity. I cant tell you what my normally frizzy hair looks like. sigh......
There are bumps and babes and also mums and tots at both ends of town. Also playgroups. Loads of childrens play areas, some lovely nurseries (by all acounts - Ds is 11! so I dont have first hand experience. Dubai is a lovely family friendly place, almost all restaurants accept and like kids. As for wine yep we have wine bars, pubs etc however it can be exp as most are in hotels due to licencing (sp?). Brunch is a Dubai institution, generally all you can eat prices with entertainment for the kids or champagne brunch all you can drink. Whatever takes your fancy.
Its a fab place, outdoor lifestyle, make it what you will. Enjoy.
Am now just off to checkin online with emirates only 30 mins till the 24 hr window opens tee hee.

oops should read "dont" have sea views
gosh I hope you can understand that, it looks like I've already had a glass or two!! But i havent. Also forgot to say there are expat meet ups all over town on everyday of the week. Adventure mums,ladies club, dubai dasies, just normal adults and /or mums. There are quite a few emirates people on expatwoman so if you do post make sure you dont use your real name.