Dubai - JLT totally sucks

Hi gang
Having relocated to dubai three weeks ago and asked for advice here on housing prior to my relocation, i thought i should let you know what i’ve been up to accommodation-wise.
I spent the first week in a hotel in al karama. I found al karama a really good area to live in, as it is a very lively residential area , with many shops, restaurants, two big supermarkets, banks, and lots of people walking day and night.
Because i work near nakheel metro, i wanted to live closer to work, so i took on the advice given to me on this forum where i could easily find a furnished, self-contained apartment or flat. So i had a look around JLT, and moved there two weeks ago. I can rent my place on a monthly basis, it is dirhams 3500 per month, and includes tv, internet and all other bills. And a maid service twice a week as well.
Although jlt is very convenient for me to get to work, as it is only two stops away on the metro, i must say that this area is absolutely dead. And i totally detest the lifestyle that people display there. Even in the morning, when you go to the metro, there is hardly anybody else there as everyone drives to and from work. And i have the impression that this is what people aspire to: a silly looking big car, a flat with maid service, and a pokey pool on the roof top.
I find jlt an absolute anonymous, artificial, surreal area to live in. It is just a bunch of tower blocks with a couple of puddles/ponds/lakes in between, and absolutely no trace of any life, not to mention human life. Having said that, i am happy to have found a place so close to work and i am grateful for the advice i have been given, but i don’t think i will ever remotely identify with this area.
I hear that tecom and al barsha are nice areas to live in, so will check those out.
regards

hey, you can try closer to MOE (mall of emirates), JBR,,, jumeirah beach residence -its bustling with crowd al the time or discovery gardens (closer to IBN batuta mall), but for sure bur-dubai & karama are totally different from these....

cheers !!

You should read the book Burqalicious...one woman's take on the expat life in Dubai.

Or 'Hello Dubai' by Joe Bennett - a very witty expose of what goes on in Dubai and the UAE.

Frankly, most of the areas around JLT are new and up and coming. It is not called new Dubai for nothing. I am not convinced you are going to find whatever it is you're looking for in Tecom or Al Barsha as they are equally as new, although the towers are not as tall. As recently as 5 years ago, all that area was desert.

If you are looking for a more established community, then try Satwa, but it will probably be more expensive, the accommodation will be older/not as nice, you will not be near a metro station and the commute will be longer. Perhaps you might consider getting a cheap car?

Remember that you will not see that many people out and about at this time of year as it's still extremely hot. Yes, people will drive, partly because fuel is cheap here, partly because they have high disposable incomes, but also because walking 500 metres to a bus stop in 40 degree heat in office attire is not ideal. I speak as someone who walks 500 metres in 40 degree hear in a suit most days of the week....

And let's be honest, people come here to make money and enjoy a nicer lifestyle than they would back home. That may seem rather materialistic but it pretty much applies across the board, from an Indian labourer to a CEO.

Not sure if im posting in the right area, but im an Australian guy wishing to look for work opps in UAE, preferably Abu Dhabi. The only thing that was bugging me was the rent prices, until I read the OP. The only problem is, im pretty sure you need to have a professional CV to be able to afford to not only live there, but save any sort of money, which is why most people I take it flock there. I dont see the point in just shifting countries to merely work if your not going to use the opportunity to better yourself financially. I have worked in the Hotel industry for 4 years looking after inbound group reservations for the InterContinental Hotels Group, I am currently working as a Forex Agent at Sydney Airport. I dont think this experience is enough to secure a pay worth moving overseas for. I am of Lebanese decent and was considering teaching English to Arabic speaking peoples, but i just dont know where to start. Googling "uae jobs" gives me the shits... Most of them are for executive positions. Any ideas? And apologies if I have posted in the wrong thread. This is my first post :)

#4 - rent in AD is much higher than in Dubai.
I don't know anything about the hotel industry but you wouldn't get any decent job teaching English here without the right qualifications. Sorry.

Thanks veralyn, i guess ill just have to keep on looking and hopefully an opportunity arises. Cheers again.

@moesydney

You might try sending your CV directly to some of the hotel chains in Dubai or AD - have a look on their websites and there is usually a 'recruitment' or 'careers' or 'employment' section somewhere. Most places don't advertise positions, so don't be put off if there is nothing advertised, just find the right person to send stuff to.

Many people in the UAE are doing jobs far above the level they would probably doing in their home country, so don't be put off - you've as much right as anyone to work.

Good luck!

You make the place the place does not have to make you.There are most likely places you may like in your area that you have no clue about or organization or clubs close by that you may be interested and I can almost guarantee it that there are others that feel the same in your area so don't put everybody in the same basket so do some research,explore and see what you can make it..

Thanks camelicious. Thats a good idea, I didnt think of that. I guess its worth trying.