Adjusting to new culture - Dubai

[greengables]

My DH has been offered an amazing job in Dubai, and it means I get to be a SAHM (currently I am working 4 days per week and it is very tough). We are keeping our home here in Aus and renting it out.My DH is going over 1st (on the 10 October) and the kids and I plan to come over about 4-6weeks later once he has settled into his job and set up our accommodation.

I am feeling excited but nervous, as we have both only ever lived (and were both born) in Canberra.

Any advice / tips from other mums who have made a big move like this? (UAE)

I feel fairly confident I can make new friends (and am actually really looking forward to meeting new mums).... the idea of driving around in a huge city (on the right hand side of the road) with 2 little babies is a bit intimidating.

[greengables]

N e 1???????

[MummaFug]

What a great opportunity :) I have ALWAYS wanted to go and live in Dubai.

I have no experience with UAE but have lived in 3 different asian countries (2 as a mother) and LOVE the new challenges and hardships that come with it.

As I understand, UAE is great for families. Accomodation is in "estate" type areas so you are likely to have a supermarket, sml school and pools etc in the complex - thing about this is that it is very convenient but can also be very limiting (tend to stay 'close to home').. HAving children will also give that 'in' when meeting new people.

There are LOTS of expats in Dubai and shopping is FAB - Gold Street :)....THey have 'streets' selling all the one thing. THey are pretty tolerant of expats but you do have to respect their religion and cover up .. Kids are fine in whatever..

AHHHH .... I am so jealous - you are going to LOVE it - think of all the experiences you can give to your family :0

CAN I come and visit :)

[MummaFug]

I am sure you have looked at these but just in case :

www.dubaiexpat.com (http://www.dubaiexpat.com)

www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai (http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai)

www.dubaiforums.com (http://www.dubaiforums.com)

www.expatwoman.com (http://www.expatwoman.com)

Also there is a range of books called "Culture Shock..(insert country). Pretty sure Dubai has one - they are GREAT - I have bought a few to research places that we have thought of moving too.

Goodluck

(I see by your singnature that your children have chinese middle names - are you asian by descent?? I am currently living in Shanghai)

[Ffrenchknickers]

Make sure you get a place with a good air con!! ;)

[greengables]

I am sure you have looked at these but just in case :

www.dubaiexpat.com (http://www.dubaiexpat.com)

www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai (http://www.expatforum.com/expats/dubai-expat-forum-expats-living-dubai)

www.dubaiforums.com (http://www.dubaiforums.com)

www.expatwoman.com (http://www.expatwoman.com)

Also there is a range of books called "Culture Shock..(insert country). Pretty sure Dubai has one - they are GREAT - I have bought a few to research places that we have thought of moving too.

Goodluck

(I see by your singnature that your children have chinese middle names - are you asian by descent?? I am currently living in Shanghai)
thanks i will try and get this book

What a great opportunity :) I have ALWAYS wanted to go and live in Dubai.

I have no experience with UAE but have lived in 3 different asian countries (2 as a mother) and LOVE the new challenges and hardships that come with it.

As I understand, UAE is great for families. Accomodation is in "estate" type areas so you are likely to have a supermarket, sml school and pools etc in the complex - thing about this is that it is very convenient but can also be very limiting (tend to stay 'close to home').. HAving children will also give that 'in' when meeting new people.

There are LOTS of expats in Dubai and shopping is FAB - Gold Street :)....THey have 'streets' selling all the one thing. THey are pretty tolerant of expats but you do have to respect their religion and cover up .. Kids are fine in whatever..

AHHHH .... I am so jealous - you are going to LOVE it - think of all the experiences you can give to your family :0

CAN I come and visit :)
thanks - sounds good. what were the main challenges for you?

BTW Apparently expats dont have 2 cover up too much in Dubai

[kadownie]

Hi,

I think we'll be on our way to Dubai soon.. DH will find out next week if he gets a job- and is happy with the $$$

I'm freaking out a little as there's so much to do..

[mumtoaj]

It will end up being the most amazing experience in your lives... We have been in the ME for 3 years now and have loved EVERY bit of it. Our son was born here and #2 will be too in Feb. Dont expect too much in the first 6-12 months... they can be quite tough and trying. But all in all, it is great. Definatly get onto www.expatwoman.com (http://www.expatwoman.com) we have a franchise here in Qatar, And it is full of useful things that you could spend forever trying to find... Also make sure you take lots of the tings you love.. Not too sure about Dubai but is quite difficult and expensive to buy Aussie things like vegemite ans weetbix... can always get substitutes but it is nice especially if you have kids to be able to wean them off what they know slowly... otherwise I hope you like the heat. Is V hot, but aircon is everywhere, and compounds and villas etc have pools and you will be lucky enough to have the beach to swim in. Other than that... sit back and enjoy the ride... In Qatar, I think it a little bit more restricted than Dubai in reguards to clothing... but still it isnt that hard.. Knees and shoulders covered, so I still get around in shorts and t shirts, and skirts and singlets, just carry a wrap with me .. easy. The local are lovely but a little stand offish. Will talk to you esp with children, but do keep to themselves.
Ok enough rambling. Hope everything works ot well and you enjoy your new adventure...
:)

[greengables]

Well I just wanted to post that we have taken the plunge and I now write to you from our new living room in Dubai - an apartment (bigger than our house in Canberra) overlooking the Marina and the Beach! In Jumeirah Beach Residence (google if u care to :))

So far it has been nothing but brilliant. I do feel a little bit lonely without my mum and cousins...but all in all has been SO good 2 get away from the rest of the family (MIL) and have some 'us' time for my DH and kids. We have been here for 1 month and haven't had 1 single fight (!) whereas we were fighting a lot back home.

It has brought us together in so many ways...

[tahm563]

Hi,

we live in Dubai too. Great to know you are settling in well. We live in the Greens, not too far from you. You hit dubai in its most beautiful time, weather wise.

I am currently on a holiday in aus.

I am sure you are getting lots of family time with the hubby and kids. Try to drop in to the exatwoman coffees. You will meet many mums. How old are your kids btw?

If you want to meet up when I am back to Dubai, pm me. I will give you my contact no.

Well I just wanted to post that we have taken the plunge and I now write to you from our new living room in Dubai - an apartment (bigger than our house in Canberra) overlooking the Marina and the Beach! In Jumeirah Beach Residence (google if u care to :))

So far it has been nothing but brilliant. I do feel a little bit lonely without my mum and cousins...but all in all has been SO good 2 get away from the rest of the family (MIL) and have some 'us' time for my DH and kids. We have been here for 1 month and haven't had 1 single fight (!) whereas we were fighting a lot back home.

It has brought us together in so many ways...

[amandarichardson]

Hi

We have also just moved to Dubai and living at JBR, i have a son who is 2 yrs old.

I've only just registered with this website, so am new at all this and in a new city.

We are living at Murjan, where are you?

Amanda

[greengables]

For anyone who is interested about life in Dubai, here is an extract of an email I sent to my grandparents who were desperate for some news about our day-to-day life! :)

"Well some news from us: "Summer and Joshua are loving it here... they spend a lot of time playing together which is really nice. So many mums put their children into 'nursery' which personally I don't want to do, as I'm enjoying being at home with them. I dont see the point of nursery except I suppose I could get some time to myself... but to be honest I think a lot of mums get a bit complacent over here. ... many seem to have maids/nannies (and the maids are so cheap) - they do all the housework and babysitting and it just seems like people get into an 'expat' mode and just become plain lazy! So yes that is not for us...

So the kids and I go out every morning - whether it be to playgroup, with friends, to the park or to the beach. Then we come home and I fix lunch for all of us. Joshua goes down for 1 nap now - at around 12.30 and will often sleep till 2.30pm During this time I try to get Summer to have a nap with me, which isn't always easy as she is outgroing naps, however I am not! (We still get woken u each nite, so I appreciate a 'nanna nap' where I can! hahaha)... So I then normally get a stack of books, settle in our big bed and read to Summer before having a nap. Today this didn't happen though as we stayed out too long and Joshua fell asleep in his pram...After naptime we are all up about 3pm, I start to cook dinner while the kids play, Summer helps me cook sometimes, or just chill out and watch Playhouse Disney (TV Channel), then Mark gets home between 4pm and 5pm. We eat dinner early like 5-5.30pm. Then we can go for a short walk or Mark plays with the kids. They have a bath and are in bed by 7.30pm, asleep by 8pm. Mark and I are asleep by 9.30pm. Each day is usually the same pattern during the week. The kids seem to be thriving on having this settled, relaxed and predictable routine. I am really enjoying knowing where they're up to with their routines etc - something I really missed when having to go to the office each day. On weekends we go out, stay up later and Mark and I take it in turns on each day to have a sleep-in! As Joshua is normally up around 5.30am!

We're finding the weather here very pleasant. it is winter here and around 14 - 23 degrees every day. I love walking downstairs and seeing the ocean and the strip of cafes. Is a very nice place Mark has found for us - I've attached some pics of around where we live.

I've made a few friends - mainly Aussies and Brits. I've so far had 3 'dinner parties' which went well. Was very relaxed - 1time got take-away. I cooked the other 2 times. I seem to be doing a lot more cooking now that I'm not rushing home from the office late. It's fun. I've been doing a lot of baking cookies, and making my own schnitzels (I bang chicken breast with a hammer), and I even make my own breadcrumbs from left-over bread in my food-processor. Tonight is pumpkin soup and savoury scones - the kids eat this and it's got sweet potato and carrot in it too - a great way to sneak vegies into them because Summer in particular, is not keen on vegetables. For dessert sponge cake and ice-cream, and left-over strawberry&apple crumble! Mark is worried I am making him fat! hahaha

One friend and I are starting up taking in turns babysitting once per month so we can go out on a 'date'. Tomorrow nite is the first one, and I am going to her place to look after her kids so she and her husband can go out kid-free. The following week she will come and babysit for me and Mark and I get to go out kid-free. I'm looking forward to it - I think we'll go and watch a movie and have dinner."

[greengables]

Hi,

we live in Dubai too. Great to know you are settling in well. We live in the Greens, not too far from you. You hit dubai in its most beautiful time, weather wise.

I am currently on a holiday in aus.

I am sure you are getting lots of family time with the hubby and kids. Try to drop in to the exatwoman coffees. You will meet many mums. How old are your kids btw?

If you want to meet up when I am back to Dubai, pm me. I will give you my contact no.


Hi

We have also just moved to Dubai and living at JBR, i have a son who is 2 yrs old.

I've only just registered with this website, so am new at all this and in a new city.

We are living at Murjan, where are you?

Amanda

Hi I've PM'd you both :)