Things to known before moving to the UAE
Much of the moving admin seemed straightforward, but finding accommodation is where things can get tricky. There are many types of accommodation, both long and short term, with something to fit every budget.
Don’t assume that a long-term stay at a hotel in Downtown Dubai will fit your budget – there is better value for money to be found. After many evenings scanning property and travel websites, I ended up booking a one-bedroom apartment. It was a five-minute walk from the Discovery Gardens Metro station and not far from Dubai Marina, an area I knew I liked.
The apartment was well maintained, had a large living room, a guest bathroom and an en-suite bedroom, with lots of wardrobe space in the bedroom and a large balcony with a desert and Dubai Marina view. I booked the apartment for two months, checking out on December 31.
Fast forward to the end of December, and after finding out we couldn't extend into January, my wife and I had a stressful Christmas scrambling to find a new apartment to move into. We soon found a short-term lease in Dubai Marina. Here we learnt another lesson, when signing a lease of any kind – whether short term or long term – there are fees you have to pay in addition to the rent.
It didn't take long for me to learn that the traffic in Dubai Marina can be heavy, adding at times an extra 45 minutes to my one-hour commute to Abu Dhabi. This is a major piece of advice I have for any UAE newcomers: when moving somewhere, check the traffic in the area, if it's a popular and busy place, you could spend many hours in your car in traffic.
Making a house a home
Towards the end of Ramadan, we moved for the third time in five months. Then it was time to take on the task of making a house a home. The place was an empty shell and we had to buy a house worth of goods, including kitchen appliances, living and dining furniture, beds, white goods and curtains. I recommend shopping around and agreeing delivery dates firmly in advance for the large items.When shopping for second-hand pieces, there is no shame in haggling. And in shops there is often a sale on, whether advertised or not. My wife and I went to many malls, outlets, factory furniture stores, Ikea, and shopped online too. There are bargains everywhere in the UAE, you just have to take the time to find them and try to strike a deal.
When moving into your place, and once your Dewa is activated, check all electrical and water outlets as well as the drainage, we faced a few snagging issues.
Then comes time for the digital necessities. Check which internet provider offers the best cover in your area, factoring in television and film packages. And when they install the Wi-Fi, be sure to check the coverage is strong enough for the whole property; chances are you will require a signal booster. Internet providers can typically organize this for a fee, I’d recommend using them to carry out this work, unless you're technical enough to do it yourself.
Courtesy by
Habib Azam
BEWARE: UAE expats warned over bogus relocation companies
Tania Villalta, who is currently 38 weeks into her second pregnancy, has been struggling to get her sentimental possessions including her first born's crib, stroller and some furniture from her 3-bed apartment in Dubai to her new home in Florida."At a time when I should be focusing on the arrival of my second born, I'm dealing with so much stress trying to ensure my first baby's things are not lost," she told ARN News.
Tania's ordeal began in February this year when the movers refused to confirm a delivery date, blaming it on container shortage.Their interactions, restricted to WhatsApp due to the time difference between the US and the UAE, have been rather "disrespectful"."The messages are rude and threatening," she said, adding that often her "messages go unanswered for weeks"."They've promised so many dates that it's left me unsure if they are ever going to deliver," she said, adding that she signed the contract with the UAE-based company in July 2021.
Tania even tried to hire another company to step in and take over for an extra charge because she was desperate to recover her belongings, but the original mover refused to accept it or even disclose where her stuff is stored."I wake up at 4:00 am to connect with the company. This has gone on for weeks, and I just want this to end."Tania says she paid the entire charge upfront (AED 10,000), which the company confirmed included shipment, transportation and customs. She was also given a contract, that includes extra monthly payment for air-conditioning the 9 cubic metres space. She has now been promised that on June 1 the shipment will be sent from Dubai.Speaking to ARN News, Lauren Inglis, Regional Director Middle East & India at Arpin International Group, explains why it's important to only hire certified companies for the move.
Being a part of the shipping industry, Lauren also throws light on some of the issues that could inevitably cause delays.With pandemic-related restrictions being eased around the world, there's a sudden rush for movers too so expats are advised to book ahead for a "smooth relocation".Other factors that could cause delays include longer time at trans-shipment ports or final destination ports due to major port congestion worldwide. This could also add to the final payout, with additional charges for storage at first port due to "global shortage for container availability", hefty ocean freight costs and extension of temporary accommodation at final destination. Despite the odds against her, Tania is still hopeful that her "baby's stuff" will find its way home.
Courtesy by
Sneha May Francis
