New to the city for the new year? Our guide to settling in may be just what you need…
Ahlan wasahlan fi Abu Dhabi. Or, welcome to Abu Dhabi! January is the time of year when the temperatures in the UAE are nice and cool, the kids are back in school and life starts to fall back into a steady rhythm once more.
For thousands of workers including teachers, private and government sector employees, airline cabin crew and family members, a new journey is about to start in an unknown city, so Abu Dhabi Week thought it should give new recruits to the capital a quick guide to getting to grips with their environment and new home.
In no time at all you’ll no longer be a stranger walking the streets of Abu Dhabi, but you’ll be recommending your favourite places for coffee, your best places to eat out and all the fun you can have…
Getting from A to B
How are you going to get around? There are a few options: taxi, bus or by car (rent or buy).
If you really wanted to save your dirhams, get the bus. Every trip of any length within Abu Dhabi city limits is only AED 2. The main bus station is next to Al Wahda Mall. Visit dot.abudhabi.ae for all available timetables.
Taxis are very cheap here, especially in comparison with Europe. Either flag one down, or simply call 600 53 53 53. Flagfall charge is AED 3.50 and it’s AED 1.60 for every kilometre up to 50km. Prices increase after 10pm.
With cars, we recommend renting for a couple of months first. Road activity is quite intense here, so it’s best to find your feet first before purchasing, if that’s what you want to do eventually. Renting a Toyota Yaris, a Nissan Micra or Mitsubishi Lancer from one of the many available companies (Thrifty, Hertz or Europcar have many outlets, along with many others for example) should cost around AED 1,850 a month. It is worth checking online too, as there are often deals during certain times of the year.
If you want to buy your own vehicle we suggest visiting Motor World – www.motorworld-auto.com, where a huge collection of cars are on offer. It is also worth investing in a GPS or a map.
Food, glorious food
The restaurants in the hotels across the capital offer some of the most exquisite food in the world. However dining out every night could prove rather expensive. So where can you stock up your cupboard and fridge?
A popular choice is Spinneys with its selection of well-known food brands. Some cheaper options for residents include Lu Lu Hypermarket and Carrefour. Both supermarkets have stores all over the city, mainly in the lower floors of shopping malls. Also, if you really want to save those pennies (or fils) then why not search out a local market. Mina port offers plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; this is also great fun, as you will get to experience an exciting and vibrant mix of people and cultures.
Cycle the city
A great way to learn about your new home is by seeing it from the saddle. The Corniche road, which hugs the shoreline of downtown Abu Dhabi, is the perfect way to help get your head around the gridded road system. Noukhada Adventure Company offers a cycle tour, allowing you to cruise along the smooth beachside pathways while having your guide point out some key monuments and roads to help you get your bearings. The bike ride, apart from being good exercise, means you get to see the capital in all its glory when you get to 18th street (the road bridge leading to Marina Mall). This is a guaranteed way to get you pumped about your new home.
For more details visit: www.noukhada.ae
Who you gonna call?
With only two mobile phone networks in the capital, your choice is very limited. Etisalat and du both offer a variety of contract packages along with pay-as-you-go options so you won’t be short of deals to choose from. We suggest going for a pay-as-you-go, as you can then gauge your monthly spend and work out if a pre-paid deal is a better idea. Both networks allow you to change your account and keep the same number. Very handy. For more details visit: www.etisalat.ae or www.du.ae
Cash in
Abu Dhabi has an impressive selection of banks to choose from. So which one do you go for? We suggest speaking to friends and colleagues, all of whom will have a good handle on the pros and cons of their banks. Here is a list of several banks, which most people will tell you to consider:
National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) www.nbad.com
Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) www.adcb.com
First Gulf Bank (FGB) www.fgb.ae
Citibank www.citibank.com
HSBC www.hsbc.ae
Culture vultures
“From camel to Cadillac” has often been used to describe the rapid change of lifestyle in the UAE. Yet this dramatic switch in the standard of living hasn’t stopped Abu Dhabi from preserving and proudly showing residents its culture and heritage.
A blend of history, contemporary design and religion, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque evokes decadence and can be considered the location that all new residents and visitors have to see. Daily tours, for free, offer a great introduction to the Islamic faith. For tour timings visit: www.szgmc.ae
The Heritage Village should also be on your list of things to see. Many traditional aspects of the desert way of life are on display here, including a campfire and coffee pots, goat hair tents and with a selection of workshops involving pottery, weaving and spinning, you’ll experience first-hand the traditions of the Arabic people. Located near the breakwater by Marina Mall, why not enjoy a coffee overlooking the sea? Open from Saturday to Thursday from 9.30am to 5pm and Friday from 3.30pm to 9pm. For more details call: 02 681 4455
No pain, no gain
Living in the UAE, especially in Abu Dhabi, will allow you to get into a great mindset of being healthy.
Most apartment tower blocks and villa compounds offer gym facilities; best for those who are happy to put themselves through their paces. However, many hotels – and of course stand-alone gyms – provide certain classes along with personal training for those who need to jumpstart their new active lifestyle. A couple of classes we suggest would be the Cobra Muay Thai training at Al Bandar and Al Muneera Fitness. Cobra Muay Thai has daily sessions in the morning and evening. The fitness training is a great way to get fit, fast, and meet a group of new people. Classes start at AED 50 and for more information visit: www.cobramuaythai.com.
Another stand-alone organisation is Al Muneera Fitness. Located at Al Muneera complex, classes take place overlooking the beach and each session you take is a surprise… you won’t be told before the class what workout you’ll be doing. Exciting! For AED 300 you can have unlimited access to their morning and evening sessions. That’s a total of 40 a month. For more details email: [email protected]
The famous brunch
Friday is the day when, traditionally, residents descend on hotel restaurants in order to savour the vast array of foods and drink, buffet-style. For an all-inclusive price, you can eat and drink until your tummy is full. Each restaurant normally puts a spin on its brunch, just to make it stand out from the rest. A favourite of ours is Ornina at Al Bandar. With stunning views of Yas Island to complement the exquisite modern tapas, this marina-based restaurant is a must. We also recommend Pearls and Caviar at the Shangri-La, Qariyat Al Beri. This one is most certainly for fish fans and the buffet also offers a great variety of international cuisine. For the more cost-conscious, we also propose Cooper’s at Park Rotana. A hearty carvery in an English pub-style décor, this is a place with a great brunch atmosphere.
Myth busters
We think it’s important to let you know the truth behind any urban myths that may have reached your ears. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so if we haven’t answered a question you have here, make sure to visit: www.abudhabi.ae.
Myth: “Crossing the road where you like is allowed, everyone does it.”
The truth? Over 42,000 fines were issued in 2012 to people who did not cross the road via a pedestrian crossing. It is also a considerabley safer to stick to the provided crossings.
Myth: “You can’t buy certain meats in Abu Dhabi.”
Truth: The UAE caters for all its residents. Certain supermarkets such as Spinneys and Waitrose have designated areas for such meats, which are respectfully kept away from other products.
Myth: “You can’t hold your partner’s hand in public.”
Truth: You can hold your spouse’s hand in public. You will see this in shopping malls, but public displays of affection with a person you are not married to are against the law.
Myth: “You can live with someone without being married to them.”
Truth: Sharia Law prohibits two unrelated and unmarried persons of the opposite sex living together. This can lead to a minimal sentence of one year in jail. The government most certainly does not turn a blind eye to it.
