Hi any expats from Ireland or UK etc in Abu Dhabi??

Hi Dee-

There's lots of UK and Irish expats in Abu Dhabi, in fact, there's lots of people in the city from all over the world. I would suggest contacting one of these groups to meet people:

Abu Dhabi Irish Society
Abu Dhabi Women's Group

Also, to get a better idea of what life in Abu Dhabi would be like for you and the kids, read some of the Expat Arrivals Expat Experiences - I can recommend Cristy Williams' Life in Abu Dhabi in particular.

Dee,
I'm from the US, but I do know several ladies here from the UK and Ireland.  Our family has lived in Abu Dhabi for a year, and we love it.  The UAE caters to a very large and diverse expat community, so you will find many familiar stores and products here.

Abu Dhabi is an excellent place to raise a family, because crime is almost nonexistent here.  I have 2 teenagers, and they have adapted well to their new home and school.  The UAE is a very family friendly country, and there are lots of things here to keep children of all ages entertained.   

I would be happy to answer any specific questions you may have.  I know it's a big step to make the decision to move to a foreign country especially with a family.  Honestly though, moving here was one of the best moves my family has ever made.

Hi Stephanie and Cristy, thanks so much for the information I will read up on everything I have experienced living in Kuwait 3 years but came home every couple of months but decided to come home to start my son in school here, I have a son 6 1/2 and daughter 11mths old. I want to know about the schools and meeting other people and friends which will probably make life much easier for us all, we went over for christmas hols and we loved abu dhabi but its decision time whether to move there permanent as I miss my husband so much and the kids need him and miss him too, once i have all the right information and feel confortable to move. Im from Ireland and the jobs situations here are worsening and I just want us to be altogether and happy, its so hard now at the moment, thanks again girls for all the info and if i have any queastions ill email you. Im wondering where the best part of abu dhabi to live for expats, my husband is in muroor road at present I suppose it depends majorly on schools for my son too. talk soon

Dee,
It sounds like we do have something in common.  My husband was working here for a year and a half prior to our family moving here too.  It was my desire to have our family together again that led to our move to Abu Dhabi.  Since moving, I find that we have a lot more quality family time.  

Muroor Road is a convenient location for you to commute to from either on or off island neighborhoods.  If you are looking for a villa over an apartment I would suggest looking off island in Khalifa A, Khalifa B, Mohammed Bin Zayed, or Sas Al Nakhl.  

The school really depends on what curriculum you are looking for, but there are several that are close to the neighborhoods I mentioned above.  Many of the schools have been built in the past 5 years, and the campuses are quite nice and very modern.  

As far as making friends and meeting people, I think you will find that expats go out of their way to make new expats feel welcome.  I know of several women, including myself, that have taken new people here under their wing and shown them around and helped them get settled in.

Cristy, thanks a million for all the information,he is there since nov but has been in the middle east for some years, I did get used to him being away but now with the two kids we should be together as a family, its lonely for him also. I know myself when im out there ill just have to go to groups and play groups to meet people, its like starting all over again. I have alot of reading now ha ha thanks again

You're welcome. Good luck!  

Cristy, Hope u are well! I have done alot of reading, adu dhabi sounds fab, i do love the middle east, to me its relaxing and we do get better quality time and family time together, i have read up on your experiences there too sounds fab, I have a question tho about accomodation what is the difference between on-island and off-island i dont really understand it, also I prob would have to choose the british school for my son what area is that exactly in, I read up aboout the accomodation too would those places be far from the schools then I wonder, we are hoping to get over for the summer months so we might get to know the place a bit more before we decide or maybe or decision will come before then well see, thanks

Dee,
I'm happy to hear you're feeling better about the move. On island refers to the main island of Abu Dhabi where most of the high rise office and apartment buildings are.  There are some villas on island, but they are scarce and pricey.  

Off island refers to the areas just after you cross over one of the 3 bridges that carry you to the main land.  I live off island and I can be on island in less than 10 minutes.  Really, the major difference is off island is more like the suburbs, and on island you get the hustle and bustle of a big city.

The British School Al Khubairat is a good British curriculum school. It's located in the embassy area on island across from the Evangelical Christian Church.  It's not a bad commute from the closer off island areas.  If you're coming for the summer I would advise touring the campuses of several British and international schools  before making a final decision.

I know when I was first looking for schools for my kids, I was only looking at American schools.  After LOTS of research, I found that an International Baccalaureate school was the best fit for my kids.  I should also mention that just because a school has "British" or "American" in the name here, that does not mean that the students are primarily from the the UK or America.  That's what I had envisioned until I started researching schools.

Most school commutes are 15-30 minutes here, and schools also offer a bus service. Many moms choose to carpool which is quite nice.  

I think once you have a chance to check out the different areas and commutes this summer, you'll have no problem finding something that works for you.

Cristy

Hi Cristy how are you? I have got a few names of schools from a teacher my husband met, so Im reading up on them, do u know any irish there personally and if so what schools the kids go to, still have a lot to decide on, well see how it goes in the summer i suppose! Also do u know if they have duplex apartments and small villas not too costly I tried looking up estate agents but had no luck really! thanks

Dee, 
The Irish ladies I know have grown children, so they wouldn't be able to offer school advice. I know there are Irish students attending the school my kids go to, but I don't know the parents. They attend Raha International. The school has a diverse make up of over 60 nationalites, but most are from European countries. 

There are small villas here, and most villas are what I think you are referring to as a duplex apartment. House hunting can be funny here, because sometime the only advertisement will be a sign in front of the place. Luckily, there are lots of these signs, so you can pick an area and ride around looking when you're here.  You may want to check out the following website to search for houses using specific criteria http://uae.dubizzle.com/community/services/mechanics/?page=2&keywords=&is_basic_search_widget=0&is_search=1&added__gte= . There are also agents here too that specilize in finding rentals, and I can give you names and numbers of some if you want them.

Cristy

Hello there, I am a teacher from Ireland that has received a job offer from a school in Abu Dhabi. The package being offered is great but i'm just wondering can people tell me what the social life is like there and is it very strict in comparison to Ireland, UK etc? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Paul

Hi Paul, Im Sinead (Dee), I am presently here in Abu Dhabi with my two children visiting my husband for the summer months, Abu Dhabi is a wonderful place we were here at Christmas too, so much to do, so much sunshine and the nite life is great as my husband says ha ha cant go to many of the night life pubs with the kids but single people have a brill time here comparing to ireland i would choose abu dhabi we are considering moving here next year Im interested what school u choose as Im looking into schools for my son, Best of luck with everything Sinead (Dee)

This has to be the most useful thread i've come across - just want to say thanks to you all! My Wife and 2 year old son are moving out so we can live together from January of 2013 as I too have been traveling back and forth for the past few years... Thanks!

We are planning to move to AD from the UK hopefully next year. I too found this thread extremely useful..especially the "on island" and "off island " bit. Thank you Dee. J