Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2005 8:44 am Post subject: ABU DHABI EXPAT HOUSING GUIDE
ABU DHABI EXPAT HOUSING GUIDE
Property rentals usually require the full 12 months rent up-front, although some landlords will accept 6 months and properties rented through the Khalifa committee may accept rents from as little as 4 months at a time. Added to this you will usually need a property agent to help you locate your residence and they typically charge 5% of one year’s rental payable upon signing the lease.
Some of the larger international real estate agents have recently arrived in Abu Dhabi. Colliers International and Asteco, a couple to mention.
2 of the longer standing and independent agents are, Homestlye Property Agents and Hayatt Real Estate. Both run by expats who have lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for as long as I can remember.
Sometimes it is worth checking supermarket ad. boards in Spinneys and Abela for properties and the classified section of the local newspaper the Gulf News.
Property prices average around AED 40 000 for a 1 bedroom apartment, AED 70 000 for a 2 bedroom, AED 90 000 for a 3 bedroom and AED 140 000 for a 4 bedroom apartment anywhere near the city. You will typically pay an extra AED 5 000 for the upper floors of the building (better view and less street noise) and a similar amount for underground parking. (street parking can be a big problem is some areas) Some apartment blocks, but not many, have gyms and pools at the top of their buildings. It is always sensible to check how well they are maintained, especially if you have children.
For 3 bedroom and/or older villas you may be able to pick one up for AED 90 000. 4 beds typically costs AED 120 000 and a modern villa with a decent size garden will probably set you back at least AED 180 000! As you move further away from the Corniche the prices do come down, and off the island there are more reasonably priced villas, some with beautiful gardens, and some newer residential areas being built in Khalifa “A” and Khalifa “B”, but from there you will be looking at a decent commute to most amenities.
The Tourist Club Area has a few modern buildings and a few not so nice. Location is great for the Club and the Abu Dhabi Mall.
Khalidiya is very popular with expats but a little more expensive. Along the Corniche and Zayed 2 nd Street there are a lot of nice high-rise buildings, and as you get further in the island the blocks between 24 th Street and 34 th Street are a great hunting ground for villas. There are a few nice parks in the area and you have a good selection of shops this end of the island.
Further into the island between Airport Road and 30 th Street you will find a thriving expat community living in an assortment of low-rise apartments, compounds and independent villas. Areas such as, Manasir; Karama; and Musallah Eid (The Eid Prayer Yard). These areas are popular as they are close to the schools, parks, embassies and still a short taxi ride to the city centre and Khalidiya.
Al Wahda is located between Airport Road (2 nd Street) and 4 th Street, running between 11 th Street and 13 th Street. There are a few nice compounds here as well as some modern high-rise blocks.
We spent our first year in a 3 bedroom apartment in the Tourist Club area but soon discovered that sound traveled through the walls and the neighbours on our floor had 11 children between them who slept all afternoon (siesta is still common in Abu Dhabi) and were then up until all hours of the morning. To make matters worse the neighbour immediately below us siesta’d during the afternoon and constantly complained at the noise my kids were making at 3pm in the afternoon!
If you see an apartment you like I’d advise you to visit the building at a number of different times during the day to get a true sense of its dynamics, including during a prayer call. Mosques are plentiful in Abu Dhabi and one may be closer than you think. I’ve visited some apartments where conversation (indoors behind double glazed windows) was impossible during the prayer call. The first prayer call can be before 5am during the summer!
Assuming you aren’t happy with the first residence you choose in Abu Dhabi, the second is typically found by word of mouth. One of your circle gets a new posting or returns to their home country and after the usual “so sorry to hear you’re going” the next sentence is typically “so has anyone taken over your apartment/villa yet?” or “are you selling any stuff?”
Gender: Age: 45 Zodiac: Joined: 16 Apr 2007 Posts: 7 Location: United Kingdom Home Country: italy
Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 3:41 am Post subject: Villa with poo
I am looking for a villa with a pool, 3-4 bedroom, en suite to master bedroom, and not too far from Sheik Khalifa Medical City.
Any advice of where to look, internet links, phone numbers etc?
Thanks
Dr Cool
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: ABU DHABI EXPAT HOUSING GUIDE
Abu Dhabi information wrote:
ABU DHABI EXPAT HOUSING GUIDE
I will be relocatiing to Abu Dhabi soon and will be looking for 4 bed villa with a pool close to the city not far from the BSAK, do you know of any websites I could look at.
KC
Property rentals usually require the full 12 months rent up-front, although some landlords will accept 6 months and properties rented through the Khalifa committee may accept rents from as little as 4 months at a time. Added to this you will usually need a property agent to help you locate your residence and they typically charge 5% of one year’s rental payable upon signing the lease.
Some of the larger international real estate agents have recently arrived in Abu Dhabi. Colliers International and Asteco, a couple to mention.
2 of the longer standing and independent agents are, Homestlye Property Agents and Hayatt Real Estate. Both run by expats who have lived and worked in Abu Dhabi for as long as I can remember.
Sometimes it is worth checking supermarket ad. boards in Spinneys and Abela for properties and the classified section of the local newspaper the Gulf News.
Property prices average around AED 40 000 for a 1 bedroom apartment, AED 70 000 for a 2 bedroom, AED 90 000 for a 3 bedroom and AED 140 000 for a 4 bedroom apartment anywhere near the city. You will typically pay an extra AED 5 000 for the upper floors of the building (better view and less street noise) and a similar amount for underground parking. (street parking can be a big problem is some areas) Some apartment blocks, but not many, have gyms and pools at the top of their buildings. It is always sensible to check how well they are maintained, especially if you have children.
For 3 bedroom and/or older villas you may be able to pick one up for AED 90 000. 4 beds typically costs AED 120 000 and a modern villa with a decent size garden will probably set you back at least AED 180 000! As you move further away from the Corniche the prices do come down, and off the island there are more reasonably priced villas, some with beautiful gardens, and some newer residential areas being built in Khalifa “A” and Khalifa “B”, but from there you will be looking at a decent commute to most amenities.
The Tourist Club Area has a few modern buildings and a few not so nice. Location is great for the Club and the Abu Dhabi Mall.
Khalidiya is very popular with expats but a little more expensive. Along the Corniche and Zayed 2 nd Street there are a lot of nice high-rise buildings, and as you get further in the island the blocks between 24 th Street and 34 th Street are a great hunting ground for villas. There are a few nice parks in the area and you have a good selection of shops this end of the island.
Further into the island between Airport Road and 30 th Street you will find a thriving expat community living in an assortment of low-rise apartments, compounds and independent villas. Areas such as, Manasir; Karama; and Musallah Eid (The Eid Prayer Yard). These areas are popular as they are close to the schools, parks, embassies and still a short taxi ride to the city centre and Khalidiya.
Al Wahda is located between Airport Road (2 nd Street) and 4 th Street, running between 11 th Street and 13 th Street. There are a few nice compounds here as well as some modern high-rise blocks.
We spent our first year in a 3 bedroom apartment in the Tourist Club area but soon discovered that sound traveled through the walls and the neighbours on our floor had 11 children between them who slept all afternoon (siesta is still common in Abu Dhabi) and were then up until all hours of the morning. To make matters worse the neighbour immediately below us siesta’d during the afternoon and constantly complained at the noise my kids were making at 3pm in the afternoon!
If you see an apartment you like I’d advise you to visit the building at a number of different times during the day to get a true sense of its dynamics, including during a prayer call. Mosques are plentiful in Abu Dhabi and one may be closer than you think. I’ve visited some apartments where conversation (indoors behind double glazed windows) was impossible during the prayer call. The first prayer call can be before 5am during the summer!
Assuming you aren’t happy with the first residence you choose in Abu Dhabi, the second is typically found by word of mouth. One of your circle gets a new posting or returns to their home country and after the usual “so sorry to hear you’re going” the next sentence is typically “so has anyone taken over your apartment/villa yet?” or “are you selling any stuff?”
I have arrived with my wife in Abu Dhabi. We are looking for a villa and we have heard that there are a couple of Brit ladies and an Aussi working in the renting area. Is that rigth? Please send me their contact details as I have found out the "local" agents are not very responsive. Could anyone help?
Gender: Age: 27 Zodiac: Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Abu Dhabi Home Country: australia
Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:24 am Post subject: Anyone got a bedroom to share with Australian professional
I'm looking for a bedroom to rent in Abu Dhabi. If someone wants to share or has a room available, please return my message. I'm very desperate at this stage. My number is 0503125307
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