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Dubai or Fujairah?

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SSK
  11/23/2009 05:00 EST

Hello all!

Husband came home last week with a job offer in Fujairah. Very exciting. We originally wanted to perhaps live in Dubai and then he drive in each day. He has an hour long trip into work now, so didn't think it would be a big deal.

What do you know about the distance and the traffic during rush hour from Dubai to Fujairah and back again?

Is there any expat community at all in Fujairah? I find very litte info on the internet?

I run an internet company - assume there is no problem for me to continue this in UAE? What is the deal with women working outside the home? And are there many internet blockages?

I hear Dubai is beautiful? How is Fujairah in comparision?

THanks!!

ens
  11/23/2009 07:16 EST

to travel from dubai to fujairah through rush hour daily, you'd have to pass through the mighty S word daily - Sharjah.

don't take my word for it, because i avoid sharjah any way possible... but personally, i think that would be a nightmare of epic proportions. living in fujairah would def be my choice of the 2.

there's not much going on in fujairah, mostly tourists that come in and out, there is a lovely place there called miramar - not sure if they do memberships or not, but i do go there often, great for a dive, and very close to oman which is a big plus as oman really is amazing.

if by internet company you mean ISP, you wont be able to do that, its a monopoly by the government's etisalat... with the new comer Du leasing some lines from etisalat, but failing to actually deliver any service through them due to throttling.

yes there is a country wide proxy that blocks a lot of material from people.

dubai is beautiful at face value, depends how critical you are and what is important to you in life i guess...
fujairah is more beautiful / scenic for me. air is far cleaner, it feels real and not fabricated there, sea is great and not so polluted, fishing and diving are both a pleasure. Dubai doesnt come close imo.

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wexymay
  11/23/2009 08:00 EST

Hi.
All I can say is BE VERY CAREFUL! My husband got a Fujairah job offer in August ( working as technical manager at Fujairah National Driving Institute) We both gave up jobs in the UK . We enquired many times about the lack of rental property in Fuj. and was told no problem. We had a budget of 80,000 AED/year. We arrived on Oct 31st 2009. We spent 11 days househunting in Fuj- nothing- power supply problems have led to a severe shortage of rental property. Please please go and see Fuj before you commit- I wouldnt call it beautiful at all! We looked into the commute, you would need to live on outskirts of Dubai and it would take approx. 1 and half hours. The risk of boredom on this route being a main problem. Try it by all means, but our advice would be do your homework- dont just look at the money side! We ended up coming back to the UK with no jobs, the company have decided the job position wasnt suited to a Brit employee and western way of life. They wouldnt let us commute in the end. In the time we were there, I never saw anyone on the beach so some sort of pool access would be necessary. We have learnt the hard way and are now back home trying to pick up the pieces. Trust me, after mountains and scenery of Norway- you will not be amazed by the Hajjar Mountains and all the rock crushing sites!! There is a continuous stream of trucks travelling between Fuj. and Dubai delviering rocks- very dusty. Will watch with interest your decision.Good luck!

SSK
  11/23/2009 08:07 EST

Thanks for that! Good info. We are a family with small children, so a less hectic, more beautiful environment would of suit us best.

So, do you mean there are no internet connection or that some sites are blocked? That could be a huge problem for me...

Can you tell me also a bit about the expat community in Fujairah?

How is housing for expats?

Thanks again!
Sigrid

mishmumkin
  11/23/2009 09:38 EST

While Fujeirah is beautiful and calming, I would personally not want to live there. A good few friends of mine work for the Higher Colleges there, and life is very quiet. If you like this sorta thing, then it will likely be your cup of tea. Dubai, though irritatingly pretentious at times, IMHO, offers a lot of cultural activities (much more than it used to), a great selection of restaurants, and a bit more of the big city feel. Driving daily from FUJ to DXB? mmmm....I wouldn't do it.

ens
  11/23/2009 09:45 EST

do take these comments above on board, as i only go to fujeira for leisure and have no indication what its like to live there. all i know is its VERY quiet.

currently working on a project there, so i do go from abu dhabi occasionally just to check on things, and i take a couple of days at miramar while im at it.

going there yourself to check it out does sound like a good idea though, take a week off and come to the UAE to get a feel of what life is like.

as for hte internet, you'll get net access everywhere, but you will have to check if your websites that you need to access are blocked through the UAE proxy or not.

as a general rule, any websites that contain controversial material be it nudity, religious controversy, etc is blocked
all gambling sites are blocked
some political sites are blocked
most torrent, file sharing websites are blocked

some inexplainable things are blocked, for example last.fm was blocked for a long time but recently got lifted from the blocked list.

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wexymay
  11/23/2009 10:35 EST

I hope the info I gave you helps a bit. We just wish someone had done the same for us! My husband went to Dubai for his interview, saw the glitz and Western side of life and was told the Fuj. was going to be the "new Dubai"- in about 20 years maybe. Most people who sing its praises are only there for short visits and stay in luxury hotels like the Hilton or Miramar- quite a different thing altogether. Two westerners who interviewed us, have since admitted that neither they nor their wives would want to live there although they do like weekends there by the ocean staying at the Hilton- I rest my case! We are bitter as no-one really told us how it was- just go in with all this info on board.

SSK
  11/23/2009 14:27 EST

Thanks for all the feedback. Lots to think about.

A quiet life is ultimately what we prefer. Love the idea of the fun possibliites offered in Dubai. Fuj seems like a safer city for our kids as well.

Question - I still don't have much of an idea about an expat community in Fujairah - any one know anything about this?

Luckily my husband will be working in an international company where the Fujairah office has been there for around 10 years. Everything will hopefully be just laid out for us...will find out more tomorrow actually! Will keep you guys posted!!

alessia
  11/24/2009 14:17 EST

Hi.Im in Fujairah the last 3months..yes it took me a while to get used to it but get to know ppl and youll be fine..it iss quiet and a bit like a building site at the min.but it will come together eventually.. You rarely see ppl on the beaches but join one of the hotels and you can use there facilities and they have private beaches..im not working at the mo but my husband is working on a project here for the next 18months anyways.. we go to dubai most weekends or up the cost to nicer beaches, and they do a lot of water sports there too..if you want somewhere quiet its fine..i wouldnt travel dubai to fujairah everyday..noway!! there is accomodation available here...you wont find anything online though..make sure your hubbys company sorts a hotel for a month or so until you find something suitable.. :) when are you hoping to arrive?

SSK
  11/25/2009 03:44 EST

Thanks everyone.

So, ok...I guess I could live with a bit of an unfinished city if there were charming bits - places, not just resorts within the city.

When I consider living as an expat I am wanting to do it right or not at all...for me that means a little luxury.

Are there nice, high end homes or apartment buildings that are available?

And is there any charm to the city whatsoever? Thinking interesting, colorful markets, historical buildings, etc...?

Alessia - what are the accomdations available like?

I live this nice, peaceful, lovely life here in Norway - there has to be something to entice me to leave it all behind for 3 years....

THanks!

wexymay
  11/25/2009 10:01 EST

Hi,all I can say is any "luxury" or "high end" apartments are very well hidden if they are available! Try a search on line for property and see what you come up with. I tried without putting a budget in, and only came up with two- one in White Village( no longer available) and one in Merashid right at the end of a cargo airport runway). The only vaguely historical building is a fort nearby, nothing else of note. The town didnt strike me as a place for a woman and children to be able to go for pleasant walks so if you did join any of the hotels etc that have been suggested you would certainly need a vehicle. As long as you know that the temperature in summer can reach 55degrees cent. so you definitely need pool access. No estate agents returned our calls because of the lack of property due to the power shortage. Rents have apparently soared due to supply and demand however we were unable to find anything. My advice is still to try and visit before a final decision and make sure you see the whole town not just a posh hotel! Sorry if I seem so negative but I wouldnt want anyone else to be in the same position that we are. Keep us up to date!

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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Marbo
  10/2/2015 04:55 EST

This topic was posted long time ago. For me it is very interesting now. My husband get job in Fujairah and we agreed to move. We also have a two little children (3 and 5). So I would appreciate if someone who had experience with children education there? I got also a job offer so that mean children care all the day...

abdulkaddir
  5/5/2019 00:25 EST

Everyday from dubai to fujairah would be a nightmare. In the beginning it would be okay, but later....

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