Gents, I previously posted looking for info on Vienna as Ivwas supposed to be moving there in the New Year, but it now looks like I will be moving to Abu Dhabi instead...I know there are many on here that have lived the expat life and most likely spent time there. Am looking for general advice on best places to live with family that wont break the bank but still be close to British schools and with good expat community for SWMBO and kids to integrate into and also not far from work (downtown Abu Dhabi)

Ideally looking for villa or townhouse as will be taking dog, so need somewhere for it to do its business without trekking down 10 flights of stairs (pretty much a house dog anyway so no real worries about heat and exposure etc and it doesn't need much exercising).

Anyone with recent experience that could help narrow down options? Also any general hints on what to (not to?) do when moving over? '08 Audi S6 Avant 5.2 V10 with Milltek non-resonated. Vrrrrrrmmmmmph
'59 Ford Kuga Diesel (boring but AWD and 40mpg...)
2007 (07) Subaru Forester XTen 2.5 Turbo. (Roundabouts are fun again!)
2007 (07) 4.4 V8 Vogue (gone)

Sorry mate, haven't lived in Abu Dhabi yet but will ask around if there is someone that can help you. I do know some people moving from AD to here in Johor , will ask them. MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Thanks ebajema, anything you can discover would be great! '08 Audi S6 Avant 5.2 V10 with Milltek non-resonated. Vrrrrrrmmmmmph
'59 Ford Kuga Diesel (boring but AWD and 40mpg...)
2007 (07) Subaru Forester XTen 2.5 Turbo. (Roundabouts are fun again!)
2007 (07) 4.4 V8 Vogue (gone)

Other than that, British Expat forums and blogs are a great source of info. That is what we use mostly  MY 2010 5.0 SC Galway green and sand interior!!
Have the Faultmate MSV2 Extreme to be tinkering with the settings etc. !!

Hiya,
I know a few people living there and in Dubai so will make some inquiries for you. A lot will be dictated by your budget, ( is your company paying full or part accommodation) . Also, my wife's friend has recently relocated there working as a teacher. 2011 5.0SC Santorini Black
2009 5.0SC Santorti Black - Been stolen.
Had
2.5 DHSE P38
Alfa Romeo
BMW

Need a volunteer to drive a car or two out there  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

An over here just now, seen some pretty tasty metal over last couple of days, but also some very horrendous monstrosities! Less L405's than I expected though. A8L 5.0, Ferraris and corvettes aplenty and a lambo in UAE coloured paintjob.

Sitting at hotel bar next to the Corniche had a good soundtrack last night though! '08 Audi S6 Avant 5.2 V10 with Milltek non-resonated. Vrrrrrrmmmmmph
'59 Ford Kuga Diesel (boring but AWD and 40mpg...)
2007 (07) Subaru Forester XTen 2.5 Turbo. (Roundabouts are fun again!)
2007 (07) 4.4 V8 Vogue (gone)

@allycraven,
The Lambo is a police car

I lived out there (in AD) for 3 years back in 2001 (before they filled in the Corniche with sand!). Couple of things to be aware of, these are from information I have been told and experienced.

1) You can drink out there but only for 3 months on a visit visa, when you get your residents visa you HAVE to have a Liquor License which is issued by the Police. This allows you to buy alcohol from specific outlets (Spinneys) and transport it to your place of residence. By law only you are allowed to drink it, you are not supposed to share it with anyone - even family members, unless they have a license.

2) If you are not married and are living with a girlfriend, you run the risk of being jailed / deported.

3)If you go out to one of the Hotel Bars (all Hotels have them) and have a few drinks be careful getting a taxi back. If the driver smells alcohol he is within his rights to take you to the nearest Police Station!

4) If you are in a taxi which is involved in an accident (however small), pay the driver and get out. You will be blamed for the accident as if you had not been in the taxi he would not have had the accident!

5) If directed by Police at a roadworks etc, drive past very carefully, dont spin your wheels etc. Colleague did this in Dubai in a FWD Golf (wheels spun on loose gravel), he received a summons for being 'disrespectful to the Police'!

6) Join the British Club!

7) Might have changed now but in the Hotel Bars (Al Ain Palace, Le Meridien etc) 99% of single girls are Russian / Ukraine / Khazak 'working' girls. Be aware!!


Apart from that its not a bad place!

A policeman with a heavy right foot then! Screamed down the Corniche at about 80 in the middle of the day.

Was in PJ O'Reilly's (Irish Bar)in the Royal Meridien Tues night, avoided the nightclub afterwards for the exact reasons you mentioned...

Thanks for the info ref the British Club, will need to investigate it, even if it's just to find the Missus someone to speak to over the age of 5 during the day... '08 Audi S6 Avant 5.2 V10 with Milltek non-resonated. Vrrrrrrmmmmmph
'59 Ford Kuga Diesel (boring but AWD and 40mpg...)
2007 (07) Subaru Forester XTen 2.5 Turbo. (Roundabouts are fun again!)
2007 (07) 4.4 V8 Vogue (gone)