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Compound Life UAE

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,903
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in Advice #1
Hi All,

Does any one have experience of (or know anyone that has/does) living on a compound in United Arab Emirates (possibly Abu Dhabi or Saudi Arabia)

My Husband is busy applying for posts and so far its looking promising

I've had a look at a few expat forums but most I've seen are dated 2002-2007, I cant seem to find any up to date :confused:

I did have a list of questions...but its probably easier to say I want to know it all..good and bad...I'm nosey:o:D

Thanks in anticipation

xx

Comments

  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 26,449
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    #2
    Have you seen this one?

    http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=60
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 1,903
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    #3
    Phyllis Stein wrote: »
    Have you seen this one?

    http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=60

    Thanks :)

    I have had a peek in this one but no one seems to offer in-depth info and I'd like to know what we're getting into before its too late
    Compound housing sizes?
    Schools?
    Facilities etc...

    I'll probably only be satisfied with going myself to nose around :D and from what I gather most of the communes have security guards
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 26,449
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    #4
    *T*I*N*K* wrote: »
    Thanks :)

    I have had a peek in this one but no one seems to offer in-depth info and I'd like to know what we're getting into before its too late
    Compound housing sizes?
    Schools?
    Facilities etc...

    I'll probably only be satisfied with going myself to nose around :D and from what I gather most of the communes have security guards

    I think it's only really Saudi that have compounds, from what I've read folks working out in the UAE just rent appartment/houses.

    Saudi seems like a different kettle of fish entirely in many regards :eek:
  • alr837alr837 Posts: 1,841
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    #5
    One of best friends used to work out in the UAE, and I know a number of people who have also worked there. To start off with, they all lived on compounds, some were "work" ones, so most of their neighbours worked in the same place - mainly teachers. The size of the accommodation varied depending on how many dependants there were, some compounds had pools and other facilities, others didn't have much. most of the accommodation had a yard or small garden/pool area.

    Some jobs would either provide accommodation, or provide a monthly payment of equivalent value so they could rent a better place themselves - something my friend took up in the end.
    For schools - there are numerous English Schools around in those areas - staff are mainly from the UK, and many of the children are expats, although some are locals
  • 5th Horseman5th Horseman Posts: 10,859
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    #6
    Phyllis Stein wrote: »
    I think it's only really Saudi that have compounds, from what I've read folks working out in the UAE just rent appartment/houses.

    Saudi seems like a different kettle of fish entirely in many regards :eek:

    I worked in Abu Dhabi but just rented a serviced apartment (Sahara Residence off Hamdan Street), other places were for the most part short term and I stayed in hotels, I did go to compounds (used by Oil Companies for their longer term staff) to socialise, they were fine, mostly fenced in houses with private security, a couple had shops, social clubs and restaurants on site. Were a bit more common in places like West Africa (Nigeria, Angola, etc) and the stricter parts of the Middle East (Saudi & Kuwait) where security is more of an issue, a friend working for a couple of years in Vietnam stayed in a company compound, loved it, rent free, housemaid, on site services, etc, he reckons it must have been how the British Raj had lived in times of Empire.
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