You are on page 1of 18

Al Bateen Al Khubeirah Tourist Club Al Markaziyah Al Karamah Al Rowdah Madinat Zayed Al Nahyan, Hadabat, Al Zaafaran, Al Zahra Al Mushrif Khalidiyah

Raha Beach Kalifa City Al Reef Gardens Al Reem Island Between the Bridges Breakwater Sas Al Nakheel (Umm al Naar)

Al Bateen & Al Khubeira

This is a prestigious area popular with wealthy UAE nationals. Here youll find palaces, premium apartments and villas set amongst some of the best maintained streets in the whole of Abu Dhabi. There are always people strolling around in the evenings and security is never an issue.

Al Bateen Beach offers a great place to relax and laze around in the sun. For the kids, there is Khalidiya Childrens Garden (ladies and children only) and the Al Khubeira Garden.

The area is serviced by a Spinneys supermarket in Al Khubeira and the Al Bateen Mall, but for a greater variety of shops, you can always head to the nearby Marina Mall or Abu Dhabi Mall.

Eating out is always easy with a wide selection of restaurants and takeaways on the streets. There are also numerous restaurants and bars in the areas hotels. If youre looking for that little bit of extra luxury, you can always head to the restaurants of the seven star Emirates Palace Hotel a few minutes away.

The American Community School of Abu Dhabi is located in Al Bateen, as well as the private Arabic Al Bateen Science School.

Al Karamah, Al Musalla, Al Mushrif and Al Rowdah

These four adjoining areas are popular amongst the western expat community and form the heart of Abu Dhabi. There are lots of large single-family villas and low rise apartments in Al Karamah, often with communal leisure facilities such as gyms and swimming pools. Al Mushrif has a more suburban feel with its numerous parks and open spaces.

Al Mushrif is also home to the Churches Area where youll find numerous Christian places of worship, including St Andrews (and the Daly Library), Evangelical Community Church, St Josephs Roman Catholic Church and St Georges (Indian) Orthodox Church.

There are heaps of small and interesting shops along Old Airport Road which offer a unique shopping experience away from the usual big malls. For those looking for familiar international brands and western goods, however, you can head to the nearby Al Wahda Mall. The mall also boasts some excellent cafes and restaurants, plus a large Lulu hypermarket.

In terms of leisure, youll be spoilt for choice at the Abu Dhabi Health & Fitness Club and the Abu Dhabi Golf & Equestrian Club in Al Mushrif. The Al Jazira Club also offers one of the few 50 metre swimming pools in the whole city.

One of the reasons for the areas enduring popularity is its close proximity to a number of quality schools, including The British School, The Sheik Zayed Private Academy, LEcole Franaise dAbu Dhabi, The American International School and The Abu Dhabi International Private School.

Al Khalidiyah & Al Hosn

This upmarket area is home to a large number of western expats, plus a mix of Emiratis and expat Arabs. There is a good choice of luxury apartments and villas, but new properly listings are usually snapped up in a few days by those eager to move into the area.

Residents can find an extensive range of western branded food at Abela Superstore and Choithram. There is also a Lulu hypermarket in the Khalidiya Mall, plus a host of specialty shops.

The Corniche, the strip of land fronting the water, offers an expansive series of lush green parks and beach for all to enjoy. There are childrens play areas, a separate cycle and pedestrian path, and numerous cafes and restaurants.

The area is home to The American Community School and Rawafeed Private School for Girls.

Traffic can be pretty heavy in this area as you get close to Old Airport Road. A lot of labourers will also come into this area on Friday evenings for their only day off work.

Al Markaziyah, Madinat Zayed & Al Wahda

This is a really densely-populated and bustling part of the city, ideal for those who want to be close to all the local amenities. The most expensive residences are closest to the Corniche, but as you move away from the water into Al Markaziyah, the buildings become smaller and the rent begins to fall. Further back, Madinat Zayed and Al Wahda offer a different feel, with older blocks and villas populating the landscape. The traffic is heavy in this area and it can be very difficult finding a parking spot.

You will never be short of places to shop in this area though. The Al Wahda Mall and the Fetouh Al Khair Centre are home to big retail clothing chains and western brands favoured by expats. Along Hamdan Street, youll find the Hamdan Centre (great for bargain hunters) and Liwa Centre (the place to shop for jewellery, make-up and perfume). There is also a Home Centre, a popular home furnishings store, located in the Madinat Zayed Shopping Centre & Gold Centre. Away from the malls, there are a variety of local stores dotted along the streets.

There are heaps of restaurants, takeaways and places to grab a drink in this area. One notorious bar which serves decent British pub food is in the Al Ain Palace Hotel. For a good place to get your weekly dose of sports, you can head to the popular sports bar Heroes at the Crowne Plaza.

The GEMS American Academy, the Islamia English School and the new Pearl Primary School are located in this area.

Al Nahyan, Al Muroor & Al Zahra

This area largely comprises low-rise apartments and single-family villas. It is a lot quieter than the city centre and is close to some of the most established international schools in Abu Dhabi, including The British School, The American International School, and Lycee Louis Massignon dAbou Dhabi. The properties in this area are a lot more affordable than downtown and many of the compounds boast great leisure facilities.

There are no major shopping malls in the area, so you will be limited to the local grocery stores.

The New Corniche (aka The Eastern Corniche) runs along the eastern side of this area. It is a popular place for barbeques, picnics, fishing, running and cycling.

Al Raha & Madinat Khalifa A (aka Khalifa City A)

This is a large new area about 30 minutes drive (on a good day) along Al Salam Road into the city centre. The proposed Shahama-Saadiyat motorway is expected to cut travelling time from Raha Beach to the city in half.

Non-nationals were able to purchase property in Al Raha Gardens on a 99-year lease, but these quickly sold out. The development which comprises compounds, villas and a few company apartments is still under construction and is fairly expensive.

The villas that have gone up already in Khalifa City A are large and spacious and there are plans for lots of green spaces. Khalifa City As close proximity to the airport and the Dubai highway also make it an attractive location for commuting workers.

There is a strip of shops in Khalifa City A and a Lulu hypermarket in Al Raha Mall. Many residents also shop at the Spinneys in nearby Mangrove Village.

The area is home to Raha International School, Al Yasmina School and Canadian International School.

Note: Madinat Khalifa B (aka Khalifa City B) is a fair distance away from Khalifa City A is currently much less developed in terms of completed infrastructure.

Between the Bridges (aka Bain Al Jessrain)

This area includes Officers City and its two large, self-contained compounds, Mangrove Village and the adjacent Seashore Villas. Both compounds are popular amongst the expat community and boast top rate facilities including gyms, swimming pools and childrens play areas. Some residents rarely go into the city centre because they have everything they need inside the compounds.

Mangrove Village has it own mini supermarket called Fresh Grove, which is also accessible by residents of Seashore Villas. There is a Spinneys just outside Mangrove Village and a huge Carrefour less than 10 minutes drive away on Airport Road.

There are a few restaurants and shops in the nearby Shangri-La Hotel and the Souk Qarayat Al Beri next door. The Abu Dhabi Golf Club is also a short five minute drive away.

There are no secondary schools in the immediate area, but the University of Abu Dhabi has a campus here and the Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi is close to the Al Maqta Bridge.

Breakwater

Marina Villas are the only residential properties in the area. The exclusive development just behind Marina Mall was established in 2006 and the large, modern villas boast sea views, private pool, garden and private beach. There is also an exclusive gym in the complex.

There a plenty of boutiques and high end stores in Marina Mall, as well as a Carrefour supermarket, cinema and some great cafs and restaurants. The restaurants of the seven star Emirates Palace Hotel are just across the sea from Marina Villas.

Down the road on the mainland is the members-only Abu Dhabi Ladies Club.

Traffic on the only road off the island can get quite congested in the evening and on the weekends with shoppers heading to Marina Mall.

Tourist Club Area

This area at the eastern end of the Corniche is one of the most vibrant parts of the city. The apartments and low rise flats in the area are home to a cosmopolitan mix of residents. Many of the newer buildings have gyms and swimming pools.

There is a fair bit of construction going on in this area. Old and run-down buildings are likely to be demolished so make sure youre not signing up to live next to a construction site when youre inspecting properties.

The streets in this area are very busy and congested, making parking a real problem. If you can get by without a car, its best to do so unless your property comes with its own parking space.

There are heaps of shops and malls in the area, including Abu Dhabi Mall (with more than 200 shops inside), the Khalifa Centre (great for picking up bargain crafts and souvenirs) and the Lulu Centre (full of electronics, toys, clothing and cosmetics). It is also worth while visiting the fish, vegetable and carpet souks on Mina Road.

Eating out is always exciting in this area. There is a huge variety of places to eat, ranging from fine dining to cheap takeaways serving cuisine from every corner of the world.

There are no schools in the immediate area.

Reem Island

This is a natural island located off the north east coast of Abu Dhabi. It is divided into three areas Pearl of the Emirates (which occupies 60 per cent of the island with its 15 towers and five-star hotel), Al Shams (due for completion in 2011), and Najmat (due for completion in 2012).

The development will eventually contain schools, medical clinics, a 27-hole golf course, malls, marinas and restaurants. Eleven bridges will connect the island to the surrounding islands and the city, including the bustling Tourist Club area which is just 300 metres away.

Al Reef Villas

This is one of the few areas in Abu Dhabi where expatriates can buy villas on renewable 99-year leases. Located on the outskirts of Hydra Village, on a hill overlooking the Abu Dhabi International Airport, it is another of the citys new developments.

Al Reef Villas is divided into four differently styled communities desert and Arabic (completed in December 2009), and contemporary and Mediterranean (due for completion in December 2010). A shopping district will be constructed in the central area of the development.

Hydra Village

This eco-friendly development next to Abu Dhabi International Airport is due to be completed in December 2010. The compound comprises houses, luxury apartments and green spaces, and will boasts its own recycling programme and free transport to cut down on emissions. There will also be a mosque and a hospital.

Abu Dhabi Laws Worth Noting...

Here are the laws that are probably of interest to most expats.

Jaywalking - crossing the road at an unauthorised point could result in a 200 aed fine.

Driving under the influence of alcohol - possible prison sentence and or fine, There is zero tolerance, which means you can't have any alcohol in the system. Especially important to consider if driving the morning after a night out.

Alcohol License - You must have an alcohol license if you are resident in Abu Dhabi and wish to drink alcohol, at home or in a licensed venue.

Bounced Cheque - It is illegal to be overdrawn or draw on funds that are not there, by writing a cheque that cannot be banked. A prison sentence is likely.

Banned Medications - Certian substances, such as codeine and temazapan are illegal substances in Abu Dhabi. Do not bring them into the country in your first aid kit from 'back home'.

Unmarried Cohabitation - It is illegal for men and women to live together if they are not related or married.

Inappropriate Affection in Public - Kissing and cuddling in public is frowned upon and extreme cases of PDA are likely to get you arrested. See an example here.

Ramadan - It is illegal to eat drink or smoke in public during Ramadan fasting hours.

Mobile Phone Use when Driving - It is illegal to drive and hold your mobile phone, 200 aed fine.

Drinking in Public - Consuming alcohol in public view, outside of a licensed premises is illegal.

Illegitimate Baby - It is illegal to give birth without posessing a marriage certificate.

Running a Red Light - Getting caught driving through a red light will lead to 15 days vehicle impoundment, a fine and points on your license. Repeat offenders could get a prison sentence.

Children In the Front Seat - It is illegal for children under 10yrs of age to travel in the front seat of a vehicle, fine of 400 and black points.

Black Points Table, Driving - Visit the black points table to view driving violations and their punishments. Stickers on your Car - You can be fined 200 aed for writing phrases or placing stickers on vehicle without permission.

Example Offer Letter for Job Vancancies in UAE

Date of Commencement of Duties Your agreed possible start date.

Period of Contract Unlimited or fixed term.

Remuneration Total monthly remuneration package in AED. (Basic salary plus allowances)

Hours of Work In compliance with UAE Labour Law, contracts are based on 48hours, 6 days per week. However many companies now work on a 45 hour 5 day week.

The package (for job vacancies in UAE) will be made up of the following components:

Salary Basic salary in AED per month.

Its important to note that this is the number used for calculation of your end of service gratuity as per UAE Labour Law. (This is the equivalent of a golden goodbye handshake instead of a pension)

Allowances (added to your basic salary to give a total package)

Accommodation Allowance Depending on the model provided by your company they will either give you an accommodation allowance in your salary or pay directly for the property and give you a budget. There are pros and cons to both models.

If this is paid as an allowance into your salary the down side is that it reduces your gratuity and the rent will need paying before you actually earn anything.

In the UAE you normally pay the whole rent in two instalments, the first on signature and the second 6 months later. This is a big deal when the average cost of a three bedroom flat is around 40k GBP a year to rent.

But on the up side of an allowance, you can spend as much or as little as you want and keep the difference.

If you receive a 'budget' it means you cant save any difference but then you dont need to worry about paying the bills up front.

Most companies will find you temporary accommodation to begin with but be wary and read the small print, often it will only be for a limited period so if youre not careful you could end up footing the bill yourself.

Loans are also available for paying the rent however the banks normally need 3 months of electronic payslip evidence in the UAE before they will issue a loan.

Transportation Allowance Transportation costs and allowances vary again some will offer one ticket per family member a year. Some will offer an amount towards your costs and youre on your own from there!

Home Telephone/ADSL installation and Rental Some companies will offer an allowance for your home phone. Always worth investigating.

Relocation Most companies will offer relocation to some extent. It really important to check what is covered as the costs can really build up if they are not covered. Usually they would contain a sea freight element and an air freight: Airfreight Allowance The Company will normally pay for some unaccompanied baggage. This is normally in terms of an allowance per family member. Sea Freight Allowance The Company will provide you with the use of one 40ft container (holding approx 12000lbs/1800 cuft) for the relocation of your personal effects from your point of origin to the UAE.

Leave It is a legal requirement in the UAE to offer 30 working days, for each 12 months of continuous service, based on a 6 day working week. However many expat companies will reduce this down to 25 days but only expect you to work 5 days per week (still a minimum of 45 hours though) The first leave is normally dependant upon completion of your probationary period.

Flights A monthly flight allowance is normally offered. This is paid as a lump sum per person per month, for yourself and each eligible dependant as per your contractual status, as a contribution towards an annual flight to your point of origin.

Medical/ Life Insurance In accordance with UAE Law medical cover for yourself, your spouse and up to three children under 18 years of age and life insurance for yourself will be provided. Although most Life cover will only cover the costs of repatriation so read the small print.

School Fees There are no free of government funded schools in the UAE. Most companies will depending on your grade and position offer a contribution to either some or all of the costs of education.

School fees are normally only paid for those in Primary and above and do not cover nursery in most cases, this is a useful negotiation point if your children are in nursery as even the nurseries can cost circa 5k GBP per child. Also most companies will only offer school fees for two children up to 18 years of age.

Bonus Many companies operate a discretionary profit sharing scheme for employees.

Gratuity Gratuity is in accordance with UAE Labour Law as per the Standard Terms and Conditions. These are available on the internet and well worth a read.

Probationary Period In the UAE a 6 months probation period is a statutory requirement.

Attesting of Certificates

Each country has a slightly different process so it is essential to contact your embassy and the institution that require your attested documents to ensure you have completed the process correctly.

It is usually much more straight forward to get your documents attested in your home country before you come to the UAE as it costly and time consuming (but not impossible) to get it done once here. Attestation Process Explained

Generally speaking there are three steps to getting any documents attested. Step One involves getting the document Notarised.

This is a stamp/signature by an individual who is legally able to perform the task of notarising documents, usually a solicitor.

Your Embassy should have a list of individuals able to complete this step towards getting your documents attested.

Contact your embassy to find out which documents can be photocopied and subsequently legalised. For example the UK FCO will not legalise copies, even under a notarial certificate, (you must provide the original) of the following: Birth certificates Marriage certificates Death certificates Certificates of No Impediment Police disclosure documents Criminal record check documents

Disclosure Scotland documents A.C.P.O Subject Access Report A.C.R.O Police Certificate Any document where finger prints have been taken

Examples of photocopied documents the UK FCO are able to legalise (providing they have been certified as true copies of the originals by either a practising UK solicitor or a notary public) include: Powers of Attorney Affidavits Documents issued by Companies House Educational documents (UK) Passports Letters of employment UK court documents Statutory declarations Documents issued by HM Revenue & Customs, or other government departments Translations Export certificates Change of name documents Religious documents (e.g. baptism or Islamic marriage certificates) Step Two involves Legalisation of the document from the country in which the document is from.

For example a UK Marriage Certificate (original copy) would be posted to the UK Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), who are the only competent authority in the UK to issue apostilles and legalisation certificates.

Legalisation is the official confirmation that a signature, seal or stamp on a UK public document is genuine.

It does not authenticate the content of the document. Step Three involves the document getting UAE Legalisation.

For example the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (in London) has a Legalisation Office that will complete the attestation process by stamping their seal on documents that have been previously certified by the UK FCO.

Alternatively, the document can be taken to the Government office in the Basement of Marina Mall and legalised for a fee. Attesting UK Educational Certificates in Abu Dhabi

If you are in Abu Dhabi and you require your UK Educational Certificate to be attested, the British Council are able to complete step one for a fee.

Step two requires you to post your document back the UK FCO.

When it returns, you can complete step three at Marina Mall (basement) for a fee (same day service).

Salary Expectations

As a rough guide (and remember the variance is huge between companies) here are some average total salary package expectations for Abu Dhabi roles: Directors - Dhs.60,000+ (per calendar month) Senior Managers Dhs.30,000 - 60,000 (pcm) Business Personnel Dhs.10,000-30,000 (pcm) Accommodation Budgets

Also as a rough guide, here are the accommodation allowance examples that we know of for expats in Abu Dhabi: Secondment from UK accommodation paid in full by company, no allowance in salary Senior Manager for Oil Company Dhs.300,000-400,000 (per annum) Senior Manager Business Dhs. 200,000-300,000 (per annum) Business Personnel Dhs.120,000-200,000 (per annum)

For more on the types of accommodation in Abu Dhabi and the best areas to live as an expat, click here.

You might also like