Hi, just wondered if anyone knows any Brits living in or around Bin Zayed city. Myself and my husband moved to AD last month and after weeks of searching and seeing some pretty dismal places in the city we have taken a decent sized villa apartment in Bin Zayed. Problem is that everyone around seems to be male and non european. I have only ever seen one indian girl in the nearby vicinity. I am beginning to think we have made a real mistake (too late we have paid one years rental) and that i am going to be the only british female for miles around...please help.  

i would say that the majority of people living over there will be male and not european, perhaps as you say they would be indian, but not european expats, if they are off the island they would be over in kca or kcb or btb areas etc but kca/kcb isnt that afar away.  

Hey Caroline6662,

Welcome! (To the UAE, Abu Dhabi and Expat-focus!)

As BB2 says I think you'll find Khalifa City A / B not too far away from your new location. In terms of the demographic of your area...to some extent, who cares! Wherever you end up living, most people would claim to only know a handfull of neighbours and most of us end up touring around all over to meet up with friends etc.

Because of the changing price and location of rentals, you may also see the mix changing in many areas, including your own.

Hope you are settling into the city OK, Please go ahead and post any Q's or comments as the summer progresses.

Y&F  

Thanks both of you for your replies...next question where do all the brits hang out? I don't want somewhere thats Brits abroad but it would be nice to find somewhere that you can go and have a conversation in the queens english. I heard the Club has a waiting list of one year? Any other suggestions? Thanks  

well the club is a long way from mbz and some say its like brits abroad, but it depends on what you want, there is the rugby club social events up at al ghazal golf club on thurs nite, (the minis play that nite) the ADHandFC on 19th, AD golf club in KCA, if you want a swim pool close to mbz, then mafraq hotel has that it really depends, but people travel into town for what ever suits them.  

Hey Caroline,

I think it's more about meeting up through other activities, rather than "where" other western expats hang out.

Sports are great, as BB2 advises Al Ghazal Rugby and golf events if those are your thing. Horse riding, Scuba Diving groups & trips, 4x4 and camping trips. The scout group (see my other post)

Whilst the club still has a significant waiting list, I'm led to believe it's not as bad as it was, and you can also access some of the activities (AM Dram performances, pantos, some parties and bands by ticket as a non member and they also offer some interim memberships (weekday access) while waiting. Brits abroad? Not so much these days. It is much more mixed than back in it's "British Club" days.

What sort of leisure activities were you into prior to Abu Dhabi? What would you like to learn or take up while your here?

From a femaile prespective there is always the coffee mornings hosted by Abu Dhabi Ladies - Before you reach for the base ball bat or razor blades - most women I know in Abu Dhabi are NOT "ladies that lunch" but many (including my wife) have admitted that whilst the very thought of coffee mornings made them cringe, they were a great way of meeting a load of other women who were new in town and didn't want to go to coffee mornings either!!  

Thanks, am going to go and look at the Mafraq hotel as quite near and will save a drive into the city each time i want to lay by the pool.
I am starting work September at the Corniche hospital so am hoping that will help out a bit with feeling like i am in solitary confinement whilst my husband is at work.
I also might pluck up the courage to try the coffee mornings (never ever thought i would say that!) hopefully that will break the ice with people and i need never go again, as like your wife the thought does make me cringe.
Another question (sorry i am full of them) how do you find a decent GP ive tried looking on line and found some in the city but that's a long drive if you are feeling unwell. Thanks for all your replies it certainly has helped