Potential move to Abu Dhabi - advice please!

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My husband has been offered a job in AD, it looks to be generous with a good allocation for petrol, housing and schooling (which would cover all of our kids).

His office is on Al Maryah island so we were looking at Al Reem as a potential place to live. Any advice on good developments/apartments round there? Things to do with kids as well for ages between 2-6?

Schools we are looking at BSAK, GEMS world academy, Repton, Nord Anglia and Pearl. Again any advice on these schools? Which has the best amenities? I know costs vary too. I was also wondering if anyone knows more about the IB v British curriculum. From some initial research I like the sound of the IB approach.

Is it easy to make friends out there and get to know people? Appreciate family aren’t around the corner but thought that might make communities more tight knit.

Thanks for any help/advice!

I suggest you join the Abu Dhabi British Expats FB group if you're a FB user. You will get lots of advice there.

Reem Island is nice, few houses so mostly apartments but they'll have great views. Gate Towers is popular with families (no balconies though). There are good play places, cinemas etc in Galleria Mall and Reem Mall. The apartment building will have at least a pool and often a kids playroom too.

Of those schools, Nord Anglia is very new and not yet well established, as well as very pricey. Repton and BSAK are better bets. IB curriculum is suited to very academic children but I guess yours are too young to know if that is appropriate or not - in any case, British curriculum schools don't have the flexibility of curriculum offerings (range of BTECs etc) that they do in the UK. All schools have similar facilities as it is a very competitive market. One deciding factor can be the international mix of the staff and families. You can use the TAMM school finder to see some details and also find Irtiqa'a school inspection reports online. Try whichschooladvisor site too.

Ocean view on reem Island has lovely apartments with balconies all over looking the sea and views of the city on the mainland.
Sorry can't advise you on schools.
I loved living in AB its a lovely friendly place. Do join a forum for ab it's where I met most of my friends most of which I'm still in contact with

Second the recommendation to join Facebook groups - British Mums Abu Dhabi is a good one to start with. They have so much information on everything you've asked in your post.

Abu Dhabi is a very easy place to make friends and meet people, especially with children. You'll have no trouble finding a community.

Of the schools you list I know people with children at BSAK and Nord Anglia and they are very happy. If you're interested in IB curriculum you might want to look at Raha school too. I can't help with specific building recommendations in Reem as that's not my territory.

It's such a great city to live in, welcome!