anyone live or have lived in the UAE?

[candiee]

Just after some info about the UAE and in particular Abu Dhabi, DH might be going there for a 2-3yr posting next year.
his work will supply house etc.
but just wanting info about safety in the area with children?
is there many child friendly places around?
whats it like at Ramadan?
is it expensive to live there?
how do you cope in the heat?

if anyone could help answer these questions it would be great.

[Lastcenturymum]

Hi Candiee - I don't but maybe you can find an expats forum in UAE and ask some questions there. I've learnt most countries seem to have such sites/forums.

I have a friend who has moved to Doha in Qatar and she has moved from Ireland and is finding the heat very hard to deal with. Basically she lives inside and they only go outside in the cooler months. It got to 47 back at the start of summer and most ex-pats go home then to their countries as it's very hard to deal with it. Currently she is finding 35 pretty hot still.

I would think that UAE is more developed than Qatar so there may be more facilities there. Hope you can find a site to ask more questions on.

ETA: Candiee - I just scanned this section here and found this thread (http://http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=286927), a couple down! Go back through this section and you may find some more info, but there is a link here.

[candiee]

Hi Candiee - I don't but maybe you can find an expats forum in UAE and ask some questions there. I've learnt most countries seem to have such sites/forums.

I have a friend who has moved to Doha in Qatar and she has moved from Ireland and is finding the heat very hard to deal with. Basically she lives inside and they only go outside in the cooler months. It got to 47 back at the start of summer and most ex-pats go home then to their countries as it's very hard to deal with it. Currently she is finding 35 pretty hot still.

I would think that UAE is more developed than Qatar so there may be more facilities there. Hope you can find a site to ask more questions on.

ETA: Candiee - I just scanned this section here and found this thread (http://http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=286927), a couple down! Go back through this section and you may find some more info, but there is a link here.

thanks for that.
i have been given a 8 page print off of a post report from DH work but just wanted to get an idea of what its like by someone who has children.
the post report is so broad and is just a general overview of the place, doesn't go into too much detail.

[mumtoaj]

ok...am on hotel computer and tried to write this twice... so hopefully 3rd time lucky!!!
I cant talk about AD but lived in Doha Qatar for the last 4 years.
The ME is an amazing place to live... in its own way. We went into it as a couple and left with 2 kids a 3 yo and a 9 mo.
IMHO one of the safest places to live. The Muslim religion embraces children. TOTALLY!!! Dont be suprised if the locals offer sweets to your LOs. Totally no nos but in their culture... normal!
The Me on a whole is quite expensive but you do get paid accordingly and if housing is supplied. Great!!! And usually flights home are provided wich is the best!!
The heat... well umm. Its HOT!!! But EVERYTHING is airconditioned... maybe too much. You will need a wrap or a cardi in summer at the malls. But normally Afternoon life around the pool starts 430 ish otherwise it is too hot (Summer) Otherwise swimming will be your besttime waster cause it is warm to hot for about 8 months of the year.
Ramadam... Not much happns during the day during Ramadam... It wont affect your children... they can eat whatever whenever. Lots happen at night though!!! And Eid Holidays that follow Ramadam are awesome!!! OK i know I have rambled. We loved our time ther and am only too happy to happy to give any info you need. Left Doha a fortnight ago and am missing it like crazy!!! The best place for you to get info..http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/
Awesome site!!!!
Good luck with your decision!!!

[candiee]

Thank you so much, well looks like we do have our posting there and not yet know all the details but we will be leaving here in July/August next year. really excited, we had friends that went there on a 2yr posting and ended up staying 5yrs as they loved it so much. can't wait to start our exciting journey...

[candiee]

just thought i'd bump this up and see if there are some more people that may have any info they would like to share.

we are leaving mid July and will be gone for 3yrs, i have heard that there are a lot of places close by to travel to for weekends etc.
we have already said we would like to visit Jordon as we have friends living there and also would love to visit Cyprus, Egypt and turkey, anyone traveled to these places with kids?
we are also going to London in about 12months time as it is a paid holiday.

anyone like to share some travel tips or how to travel with kids, especially on the plane, it is my understanding that its a 15hr plane trip, we are traveling business class so it might be a bit more comfortable for them than economy.

TIA.

[orange6]

We had a fantastic holiday in Jordan (umm, 16 years ago...when my 3 siblings & I ranged in age from 16 to 8) We were living in one of the less nice ME countries at the time. I'd love to go back for another visit. Having kids (especially active little boys ) is a real icebreaker .

We also went to Lebanon on the same trip - also very interesting. Baalbek (near the Syrian border) is fascinating. The army was much friendlier in Jordan than Lebanon though.

My parents went to Syria without kids & liked that. They took my brother to Turkey... My sister & both went to Egypt on school trips. I have the dubious claim to fame that I went Cairo but didn't see the pyramids - we went to a souk instead.

Also visited Lebanon - reall

[candiee]

thanks.
we are planning on going to Jordon as we have friends who just moved there and have heard it is nice, also want to go see the dead sea.

we are planning on going to Egypt, turkey,cyprus and Jordon while we are in the middle east, we also are going to go to London and maybe head to KL for a conference in a few months.

funny the reaction you get when we tell people we are moving to the middle east, they always jump to conclusions and think its not safe there.

7weeks to go and looking forward to it..

[Thalia]

I lived in Doha for 6 years as a teenager in the 1980s. Great place, obviously a lot of restrictions, but I think it's a bit more liberal now. I think if you're planning on working, great, but as a SAHM, a lot of people go a bit stir crazy.

[candiee]

i will be a SAHM, my DD will be starting school soon after we move there and my DS will start the following year.
we will be living in a big house (6bedrooms, 7bathroom, 2 kitchens) there is also a gym and squash/tennis court in the complex that i will have access too so think a i will have a lot to do with the up keep of the house, we will have a live in maid/nanny as well to help out but i have been looking around on the net and already looked into netball groups and a few other mums groups to join, i am also hoping to have more time to work on our website and travel and sew more.
other than that i am sure i can get my cocktail making skills to a fine art and sit by the pool.lol.