[b][i]Welcome!

Wether you have been here for ages, just arrived in town, planning your move or considering it as a option in the future it's great to have you here.

Even if you don't have anything to post just yet - This is the place to pop a quick "one liner" in to say "Hello"

The UAE forum is relatively new, having been split from the Middle East forum, so whislt you might not see thousands of threads to trawl through, you'll probably find a few expats in the wings who can answer questions and have a bit of banter with.....

All the best - Y&F  

hi, i'm naz. 27 yo female from melbourne, australia. i've been here a bit over a month now, so still getting used to this heat (it was 4 degrees when i left melb!!!). i'm living in bur dubai.

haven't found any aussie social clubs here yet?

that's about all  

Hey Naz / Moomoo!

Welcome to Expat Focus.

Yes, hot time of year to arrive, but believe when we promise it isn't always like this!!

You should find a good number of people on the forum with some up to date Dubai advice for anything that is of interest to you - so post away and start any new threads you like if you have any questions or topics to discuss, ask about or inform the rest of us (you have the latest info on arriving in Dubai of anyone here, so don't be shy!!)

There is certainly a growing number of southern hemisphere expats in town in the UAE, SA numbers growing quickest I would say, followed closely by Aussies so I expect you to ID a few Dubai based countrymen and women pretty quickly.

Great to have you on the forum  

My husband is considering a job in Abu Dhabi. Can anyone anyone tell me what it is like to live there as a non working spouse with a nine year old son? Where is a good place to live? Send my son to school? Any information would be greatly appreciated.  

Hey Jen,

Welcome to ExpatFocus,

I would sugest opening a new thread from a United States prespective - If you move accross to Abu Dhabi this year , you will certainly not be alone in new US familys settling in here. On a practical basis, yes, there are American and international curriculum schooling available - even American colleges with campus in the UAE if you stay here that long! American boy scouts are active for your son and any number of wider "western" expat activities and groups. depends what you like.

Whilst i don't have statistics, I think it's fair to say that numbers of US citizans seem to have grown in the last year in Abu Dhabi.

I would sugest also you post on www.abudhabiwoman.com for more information for trailing US partners.

Great to have you on the site and please post away with new threads for questions you have.

All the best - Y&F  

yes agree ADW good site you will get your questions answered there, but if you do intend coming with a school age child, remember to talk to the schools here, there are a few american ones, such as ACS, Gems American Academy and a new one called Glenelg (which is senior) as there is a major problem with finding school places and more importantly housing, AD has shot up in price, and finding a villa for less than 400k is highly unlikely, because of the big shortage  

Thanks for the inFo!