About mishmumkin

Status:

Preparing to Move Abroad 

Gender:

Female

Currently Lives:

Alabama, United States

Citizen Of:

United States

My Website:

http://http://cairogal.blogspot.com

Favorite Websites:

http://http://eslcafe.com

Some Forum Posts:

United Arab Emirates: Americans to answer my questions before I move?:

What sort of questions do you have, Jake? Susan

United Arab Emirates: Teaching in the public School:

Madinat Zayed is truly the boondocks and a long journey to civilization. No mall, no cinema, no comforst from home, and the only westerners will be you and your other colleagues placed out there. Abu Dhabi city (and surrounding areas such as Baniyas and Shahama where you'll likely be placed) is the most lively option. Abu Dhabi is still a sleepy town compared to the hustle and bustle of Dubai. Al Ain is beautiful but quiet. It suits married people, families (not singles so much), and those who enjoy the outdoors as camping and dune driving are a popular pasttime. If it were me, I'd request AD, Al Ain, and MZ (and hope that I didn't get MZ).

United Arab Emirates: Al Ain or Abu Dhabi?:

Hi there. Al Ain, like the rest of the UAE is perfectly safe. Aside from the hotel pools where you can wear your normal swimsuit, daily street clothes are best kept below the knee and not sleeveless. You'll soon figure out which locations you can bare more skin, and which locations require a bit more modesty (for your own comfort of not sticking out). Be sure to bring more than just your "teacher's clothes'. You'll want a few things for cooler temps (it does get chilly in Al Ain in the winter, and your internal thermostat will change). If you enjoy the beach and/or swimming, bring more than one swimsuit (water here is particularly harsh). Hope that gives you some food for thought. I think you'll find the pace of life in Al Ain to be slower than other parts o the UAE, but quite peaceful, too. For those who enjoy camping and the outdoors, it's a nice place to be. It's not expensive...likely a bit cheaper than Abu Dhabi or Dubai.

United Arab Emirates: looking for teaching position:

Complete the online applications for the following universities: Higher Colleges of Technology Zayed University United Arab Emirates University and send your application to the University of Sharjah, who does not have an online application (or didn't last time I checked). These are the big ones, and a good place to start.

United Arab Emirates: Finding Flat/Apartment:

Hi Coco, Abu Dhabi rents have always been stupidly high. You're lucky to be coming in at a time when there are more properties available and costs are slightly lower than they were 18 months ago. And yet, they're still high! Stay clear of: Mussaffah. Neighbourhoods with HORRIBLE parking situation: Tourist Club (also referred to as TCA in the papers) and Khalidiya (thel latter being popular w/ western expats both areas are mainly high-rises). Off the island of Abu Dhabi but still decent housing: Khalifa City A (KCA), Mohamed Bin Zayed CIty (MBZ), Between Two Bridge/Baen al Jasraen, and Al Raha Gardens. The last group will likely be one of your cheaper options (except Raha). And still, you would easily be looking at 120,000 + for a 2 or 3 bedroom in one of these neighbourhoods. Tourist Club Area with all its parking woes has become undesirable recently, so there are a lot of flats going in that area. The prices for a 3 bedroom will still be around 150,000. Tourist club is, however, in the heart of Abu Dhabi. KCA or Baen as Jasraen are out there. The former being much less developed than the latter. Somewhat quieter neighbourhoods w/o highrises: Bateen, Manisir, Mushrif. Bateen tends to be more villas (more $$$), Manisir is a lot of low-rise apt blocks 3-4 stories). Club memberships are an option, but very expensive for the family. Check out "The Club" (formerly known as The British Club) as they have the cheapest family memberships. They also have the longest waiting list to get into. Not sure what you're looking at, but I belong to the Hiltonia, and a couple's membership there is well over 15,000 dirhams/year. Agents are almost always used to rent properties so that's typically and extra 10% of the rent to paid. Never pay a viewing fee. Rent checks are preferred to be pain in one lump sum upon signed the contract. Some landlords, however, might be desperate to rent out and will take 2 or 3 checks. Don't let the agent bully you on this. His angle is to make it easier for himsellf. I hope this is helpful, Coco. Good luck. Let me know if you have any more questions.

United Arab Emirates: activities in saudi arabia:

This is the UAE forum. As the UAE and Saudi are EXTREMELY different in reference to gender issues, religious practice, and the like, I don't think you'll find the answers you're looking for on this forum. The experience of a young single woman in the UAE will be a stark contrast to the young single woman in KSA. Good luck in your decision.

United Arab Emirates: work in khalifa city but live in dubai:

It depends on where in Dubai you're headed. Khalifa City to Jebel Ali at 140 km/hour will take around an hour. Khalifa City to Bur Dubai will probably take more like 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 hours. All of this depends on the time of the day, naturally.

United Arab Emirates: Attest documents:

The process depends on the country in which the degrees were obtained rather than your country of origin. Where are the degrees from?

United Arab Emirates: Car lease/insurace in Abu dhabi:

I'm assuming you might be one of the man new ADEC (Abu Dhabi Ed Council) teachers coming. Here's teh short answer: cheaper buy, but perhaps smarter to lease until you decide that you will be able to stay out the contract. Leasing a Toyota Yaris or Tiida will run about 1800-1900 dirhams/month. Naturally, you would spend less in car payments for those same cars over a 3 year period. Insurance costs are based on the value of the car, so the higher the model, the more you pay. To give you a frame of reference, my 2008 Pajero is a 4x4 w/ off road insurance. That costs about 4500 dirhams/year to insure (paid up front or possibly factored into the total cost of your car by your dealer). A Mitsubishi Lancer will cost more like 2000-2500 dirhams/year for insurance. I hope that's helpful. Feel free to PM me w/ more questions.

United Arab Emirates: Salary Advice & Opinions:

You're a recent grad in what discipline? Hard to comment on whether or not it's good. For a teacher, it's aout right. The transport allowance will be added to your monthly paycheck. How you spend it is your business. Housing will be done a few different ways: -paid out in a lump sum check for you to use (most rents are paid annually w/ one check...possibly 2) -Paid out month to month in your paycheck -paid directly to your landlord w/ the property winding up in your employer's name. I hope that's helpful. I'm assuming option 1 is the most likely.

Date Joined:

4/25/2008

Total Posts:

126

Posts/Day:

0.04