This morning I re-read the post about housing I had written in March and wondered how things could have changed so quickly in such a short space of time.
At the moment, anything under Dhs100,000 won't get you very much if anything at all in the capital city. In March, Dhs200,000 or Dhs250,000 might have secured you a nice villa in Khalifa City, Khalidiya Villas or Mangrove Village. Now you will be offered a 2-bed apartment on the outskirts of the city in an area such as Manasir for the same price, and last week an agent was offering a small 2-bed apartment in the city for Dhs200,000, but without windows in the living room! Without a doubt the situation has reached a point where people may have to think twice about coming to Abu Dhabi if their company does not provide housing.
Some families have left in the last couple of months because they can neither find suitable accommodation nor school places for their children. Many resort to renting government housing outside the city in areas such as Shahama, Rahba, Bahia, Bani Yas, Shawamek etc. These houses may be cheap but it is also illegal to rent them and the tenants can be evicted by the Municipality without any recourse to justice. Some landlords have also started dividing villas, making either 2 villas out of one or making apartments out of the three floors of a villa. This is also illegal unless special written permission is given by the Municipality and tenants once again have no recourse to justice if they are asked to vacate those villas/apartments.
So, what are the options? For those considering contracts in Abu Dhabi at the moment, the best solution would be to put pressure on companies to provide housing, not an allowance. Giving allowances has led to this problem, as many companies will pay huge allowances to secure the most qualified and skilled people for their projects - usually in the fields of oil, finance or construction. It is the landlord's market and many are doubling their rents as soon as tenants vacate. Failing that, a company usually provides a month in a hotel apartment or company villa while the new employee has time to search for suitable accommodation. How adequate this timeframe is will totally depend on the housing allowance given to you, or the amount you are prepared to add towards your allowance to ensure you get a place to live.
It is not a pretty picture at the moment for those looking for accommodation in Abu Dhabi. Some people are lucky; they are in the right place at the right time or their companies give them huge housing allowances. But for most people the search can take weeks or sometimes months, and depending on the number of boxes you want to tick in your personal wish-list, it could take longer.
Iftar
Iftar is the time when Muslims break their daily fast during Ramadan. This year, that time ranges from approx. 6.39pm on the first day to 6.10pm on the last day of the holy month. Many families and friends eat together at eachother's houses, but many others go out to hotels for Iftar meals. Whether you are Muslim or not, the Iftar feast can be a sumptous and delightful experience. I try to have one Iftar meal out each week during Ramadan to share the experience with those who fast, and also to enjoy the great dishes produced at this time of year. The meal consists of a buffet of various types of food, though mostly Arabic fare. In the first week of Ramadan, a couple of friends and I went to the BLD restaurant in the Shangri-La hotel.
We arrived about 5 minutes in advance of the Maghrib prayer, so we had enough time to eye the displays of food before us. They looked fabulous, and throughout the evening they didn't disappoint. There were 3 different types of soup available - vegetable, potato and leek and lentil soup and they looked piping hot and tasty. I skipped the soup as I wanted to have the Arabic mezze to start with - I wasn't disappointed. In addition to the vast array of salads, there were samosas, sambousek, kibbeh, hummous, moutabel and a huge range of seafood. It was delicious.
For the main course, there were many areas to choose from. There was an Indian section with a variety of curries, vegetables and breads, a Moroccan area with tagines, couscous and a wide range of vegetable and lamb dishes, an Arabic section with meatballs, lamb on the bone, bechamel, and many more dishes all as tasty as the next. There was a man at a pizza station who would make any kind of pizza you desired, and another station with kebabs, lamb kofta, lamb chops, salmon pastry and steak. The choice was vast and I'm sure that every tastebud was catered for.
The desert counter was an absolute delight to the eye! There were three chocolate fountains; a white, a milk and a dark chocolate with marshmallows and tiny tea cakes to dip into them until they were completely covered in chocolate and dripped all the way to your plate. There was lots of fresh fruit, ice-cream (in addition to a man making ice-cream pancakes), small cakes and gateaux of all types, and small packets of sweets for the children. Once again there was something for everyone.
When the bill came, it was 169dhs each. Our water with the meal which was included in the price, and we could have had any number of juices throughout the meal. Alcohol is not served until after Iftar time so there was none included in our bill. Not a cheap evening, especially as it finished about 8.30pm, but it was most enjoyable to share the experience with many who were fasting on the day. And of course it was a fabulous buffet!
We arrived about 5 minutes in advance of the Maghrib prayer, so we had enough time to eye the displays of food before us. They looked fabulous, and throughout the evening they didn't disappoint. There were 3 different types of soup available - vegetable, potato and leek and lentil soup and they looked piping hot and tasty. I skipped the soup as I wanted to have the Arabic mezze to start with - I wasn't disappointed. In addition to the vast array of salads, there were samosas, sambousek, kibbeh, hummous, moutabel and a huge range of seafood. It was delicious.
For the main course, there were many areas to choose from. There was an Indian section with a variety of curries, vegetables and breads, a Moroccan area with tagines, couscous and a wide range of vegetable and lamb dishes, an Arabic section with meatballs, lamb on the bone, bechamel, and many more dishes all as tasty as the next. There was a man at a pizza station who would make any kind of pizza you desired, and another station with kebabs, lamb kofta, lamb chops, salmon pastry and steak. The choice was vast and I'm sure that every tastebud was catered for.
The desert counter was an absolute delight to the eye! There were three chocolate fountains; a white, a milk and a dark chocolate with marshmallows and tiny tea cakes to dip into them until they were completely covered in chocolate and dripped all the way to your plate. There was lots of fresh fruit, ice-cream (in addition to a man making ice-cream pancakes), small cakes and gateaux of all types, and small packets of sweets for the children. Once again there was something for everyone.
When the bill came, it was 169dhs each. Our water with the meal which was included in the price, and we could have had any number of juices throughout the meal. Alcohol is not served until after Iftar time so there was none included in our bill. Not a cheap evening, especially as it finished about 8.30pm, but it was most enjoyable to share the experience with many who were fasting on the day. And of course it was a fabulous buffet!
Ramadan
Ramadan is here and it's a time I have always loved in the UAE. It's a time of fasting for Muslims, of prayer, of giving, and a time when most people are more in tune with their spiritual side. People are more peaceful and calm (in general), work days are shorter, shops open much later and I have more time to meet friends in the evening for coffee or a meal.
However, it is also a time when there are more accidents on the road due to lack of concentration and tiredness. Many people wake in the morning for Suhoor, the early breakfast before the Emsaak prayer. This year it is as early as 4.30am. After eating they pray, and often do not return to sleep until later in the day when they have finished work. This inevitably causes poorer concentration and less alert drivers. As the day progresses, the driving deteriorates. This is not helped by the fact that most offices, schools and other workplaces finish within a couple of hours of eachother, therefore adding to the already congested streets of Abu Dhabi. Drawing closer to the Maghrib prayer and Iftar time (breaking of the fast) many people are rushing home to break their fast with family or friends.
Sitting in traffic on the way home from work, it is easy to get frustrated and annoyed with other drivers trying to edge into my lane or take a left turn from my right etc. However, if people who fast all day can keep their patience and stay calm, then so should I. As the sun sets on another day in Abu Dhabi, I resolve to keep my aggression for the 'after dark' drivers!
Ramadan Kareem!
However, it is also a time when there are more accidents on the road due to lack of concentration and tiredness. Many people wake in the morning for Suhoor, the early breakfast before the Emsaak prayer. This year it is as early as 4.30am. After eating they pray, and often do not return to sleep until later in the day when they have finished work. This inevitably causes poorer concentration and less alert drivers. As the day progresses, the driving deteriorates. This is not helped by the fact that most offices, schools and other workplaces finish within a couple of hours of eachother, therefore adding to the already congested streets of Abu Dhabi. Drawing closer to the Maghrib prayer and Iftar time (breaking of the fast) many people are rushing home to break their fast with family or friends.
Sitting in traffic on the way home from work, it is easy to get frustrated and annoyed with other drivers trying to edge into my lane or take a left turn from my right etc. However, if people who fast all day can keep their patience and stay calm, then so should I. As the sun sets on another day in Abu Dhabi, I resolve to keep my aggression for the 'after dark' drivers!
Ramadan Kareem!
Sowwah Island
Launched at Cityscape Abu Dhabi were the plans for the new central business district on Sowwah island.
Sowwah square district, situated between Reem Island and Abu Dhabi island, is an area of 570,000 square metres. It will house the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and will provide a centre for new business and financial ventures in the emirate and an important commercial district for the UAE.
This project is being funded by Mubadala, the investment and development fund controlled by the Abu Dhabi government, and involves the major US property company, John Buck. The new joint venture company, John Buck International will undertake all development, leasing and management responsibilities on completion.
The Sowwah Square area will incorporate 4 towers, a 5-star hotel, conference facilities and shopping outlets. The developers are hoping for a "triple A-list" of tenants for the island and aim to incorporate environmentally friendly building materials, recycling facilities, energy saving technologies and renewable energy sources in a bid to attract the best companies.
In time, Sowwah island will be integrated with other projects with 13 bridges planned to connect Reem, Sowwah and Abu Dhabi islands in addition to public transport facilities, pedestrian lanes, and a light rail system. The development is expected to be ready in 2010 and will take up 10% of Abu Dhabi's central business district.
Sowwah square district, situated between Reem Island and Abu Dhabi island, is an area of 570,000 square metres. It will house the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and will provide a centre for new business and financial ventures in the emirate and an important commercial district for the UAE.
This project is being funded by Mubadala, the investment and development fund controlled by the Abu Dhabi government, and involves the major US property company, John Buck. The new joint venture company, John Buck International will undertake all development, leasing and management responsibilities on completion.
The Sowwah Square area will incorporate 4 towers, a 5-star hotel, conference facilities and shopping outlets. The developers are hoping for a "triple A-list" of tenants for the island and aim to incorporate environmentally friendly building materials, recycling facilities, energy saving technologies and renewable energy sources in a bid to attract the best companies.
In time, Sowwah island will be integrated with other projects with 13 bridges planned to connect Reem, Sowwah and Abu Dhabi islands in addition to public transport facilities, pedestrian lanes, and a light rail system. The development is expected to be ready in 2010 and will take up 10% of Abu Dhabi's central business district.
Affordable Housing Scheme Announced
A new affordable housing scheme has been announced by the government in an attempt to offset the rising living costs for low and middle-income earners in Abu Dhabi.
Just over 93,000 square metres of land in Khalifa City B has been donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to real estate developer Al Rayan, to build an affordable housing community which will reduce financial pressure on a huge percentage of the workforce.
A recent survey conducted by the Department of Planning and Economy showed that low and middle-income workers are currently spending on average about half of their income on housing. A separate study conducted by Al Rayan found that 350,000 people in this income bracket needed more affordable housing.
The aim of the project is to build a community which will not be sold on - thus not allowing a secondary market mark-up - and where rents can be controlled by the government. Those eligible for this housing would include workers whose salaries fall within the Dh4,000 to Dh10,000 a month range. Rent paid will depend on the salary of the tenant, with those who earn more paying more. While the rents are expected to be considerably lower than current prices, adjustments will be made over time to match operating costs.
Currently, the final stages are being decided with the Urban Planning Council and a concept plan is in the development phase. This will include provision for all services that accompany the housing in a bid to create a community village which will be suitable for families.
Fardan Al Fardan, the chairman of the board of Al Rayan said that while "the market has changed dramatically over the last few years and no one could have predicted this kind of escalation", the affordable housing scheme would make a huge difference to the housing shortage in Abu Dhabi. Work is expected to begin towards the end of the current year.
Just over 93,000 square metres of land in Khalifa City B has been donated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to real estate developer Al Rayan, to build an affordable housing community which will reduce financial pressure on a huge percentage of the workforce.
A recent survey conducted by the Department of Planning and Economy showed that low and middle-income workers are currently spending on average about half of their income on housing. A separate study conducted by Al Rayan found that 350,000 people in this income bracket needed more affordable housing.
The aim of the project is to build a community which will not be sold on - thus not allowing a secondary market mark-up - and where rents can be controlled by the government. Those eligible for this housing would include workers whose salaries fall within the Dh4,000 to Dh10,000 a month range. Rent paid will depend on the salary of the tenant, with those who earn more paying more. While the rents are expected to be considerably lower than current prices, adjustments will be made over time to match operating costs.
Currently, the final stages are being decided with the Urban Planning Council and a concept plan is in the development phase. This will include provision for all services that accompany the housing in a bid to create a community village which will be suitable for families.
Fardan Al Fardan, the chairman of the board of Al Rayan said that while "the market has changed dramatically over the last few years and no one could have predicted this kind of escalation", the affordable housing scheme would make a huge difference to the housing shortage in Abu Dhabi. Work is expected to begin towards the end of the current year.
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