An Expat Talks about Moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Abu Dhabi

Name three things that you wish you had brought and three you wish you had left at home.

Bring: Another voltage converter, more garden tools and gardening supplies, and hair color Leave home: bicyles, blankets, winter clothes

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Traveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox serves thousands of travelers, expats, digital nomads, businesses, individuals and others in over 47 Countries by scanning their postal mail so they can view it online anywhere in the world. They provide customer service 7 days a week so if you need assistance, it is just a phone call away. Traveling Mailbox works with Evernote, Bill.com and Dropbox. And, there are Traveling Mailbox apps available for iOS and Android devices.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What advice would you give someone preparing to move to your area about the actual move, choosing a neighborhood and finding a home?

You will need to make a trade-off between living "on-island" at a higher cost for a smaller place, or "off-island" for more space and a yard. Since social isolation is a big hazard, I would put a very high priority on living "on-island" rather than out in the boondocks where you need to drive long distances for amenities.

What type of housing do you live in? Is this typical for most expats in your area?

Villa; no. Most live in apartments or townhouses; some live in villas (equivalent to a single family house)

How did you choose your neighborhood and find your home or apartment?

Real estate agent

Are your housing costs higher or lower than they were in your home country? What is the average cost of housing there?

Much Much higher. A four-bedroom house or apartment in a convenient area can cost $100,000 a year. Most expats negotiate a relocation package where their employer pays for their housing.