We live in Kuwaitat which is on the east side of the town, behind the Hilton Hotel. We love where we live. We are also close to the Al Ain Mall, the largest Lulu Hypermarket and 10 minutes from the large Bawadi Mall.
Here’s what I recommend, if I may be so bold (and I hope it’s not too much to take in!). Get hold of a map of Al Ain and locate the 3 main hotels which have pools: the Hilton, the Intercontinental, and the Rotana. This way, if you get info on specific villas you can see how far you are away from what may be your frequent weekend activity.
Also locate the main malls: Bawadi Mall is the newest and biggest; Al Jimi Mall (I think!) is the next newest; Al Ain Mall is the oldest (and it’s a great mall) ; plus the enormous Lulu Hypermarket in Kuwaitat, and the smaller Lulu Supermarket in Sanaiya (opposite the Etisalat building which will most likely be on the map). Very recent is the Al Foah Mall in Al Foah, on the road heading out to Dubai.
These are the main places ex-pats in Al Ain shop as each mall has one big supermarket in it, as well as other shops. (There are other, smaller supermarkets like Choithrams, and the new Spinneys supermarket on the road out to Abu Dhabi.) Again you can then get a sense of how far you’ll need to travel to do your main weekly or twice weekly shop.
Al Ain isn’t that big a town (there are 400,000 people at the moment). So you should be able to get round fairly easily.
See other posts for info on specific malls, and photos.
Hi, My family and I maybe moving to Al Ain in the next few months. We are unfamiliar with the area and not sure where to look for accomodations. What arease should we be looking at?
Thanks
Hi Raquel,
Thanks for your message. It depends on whether you want a home near the school your children are at; what your budget is for accommodation as certain areas are more expensive than others, etc. Personally I’d avoid the up and coming Al Foah area which is way north of Al Ain centre. It’s best to call one of the property agents here who I feature on this site. Someone like Calum from the UK will drive you round and show you several places to get a feel for what’s available.
Chris
Pleas let me know opening time of park for publics .
Hi Abdul,
9am to 9pm.
Chris
hi , i just want to ask about life in al ain, is it very expensive ,is 420000 dhs sallary adequate for a good life , i have 2 kids n schools.
Hi Darin,
Are you saying the salary is 420,000 aed a year? That’s £74,000. That seems very good. That’s double a good salary for an ex-pat doing teacher support.
(Accommodation and school fees for up to 2 children is on top of this.)
School fees, depending on age: 35,000 per child per year if in secondary.
Villa/apartment: 90,000 a year for a good one. Maximum 800 aed a month for electricity during the hot season and a half to a third of that when it’s cooler. Food is a bit cheaper than the Western world, I think, depending on what you eat.
Petrol/gas is a fraction of the price in the rest of the world.
I think you’ll be fine.
Chris
Good Day! I just landed here in Al Ain last July and I brought my mountainbike with me…Is there any bike park or bike trail out there? I’m quite hesitant to go biking on the streets here as of this time.. Thanks! 🙂 Joey
Hi Joey,
Great question!
My son Toby says he hasn’t heard of any, and neither have I.
If you do find of any, do let us know, as Toby will join you! 🙂
Chris
Hi Chris
I hope your still in al ain I was just wondering if you could tell me if there is any news on the new hospital amana in al ain and if indeed it’s doors have finally opened I am waiting as is a lot of other nurses to embark on a nurse adventure and was hoping you could find out for me.. Many thanks Yazmine
Hi Yazmine,
I don’t have any news about Amana.
If you find out, let me know! 🙂
Warmest,
Chris
Hi Chris,
We should be arriving just before schools start in Sept 2013. Thanks for this fabulous resource, I am still in UK but have read a lot of your postings, well done keep up the good work. I have a feeling I will bump into you at some stage in Al-Ain!
where would you recommend living if working in Tawam and kids going to AL-Ain Int school in Sarooj?
Thanks
Asif
Hi Chris,
I’ve got a job teaching English at a language school in Al Ain, near to the University and I’m looking for somewhere to live. My brother lives in Dubai and I understand Al Ain is much quieter, but I’m looking for somewhere that’s within easy reach to the hotels and a bit of social life. I’m 27years old and it may be just a short term thing. I visited Al Ain today but I don’t know where to start when it comes to areas. I wouldn’t mind living with others but I don’t know how it all works over here?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Jen
Hi Jen,
Go to the Hilton Hotel’s health club and look on the noticeboard. See who has somewhere to rent, or ring one of the letting agencies who have a poster on the board, and ask them for advice.
That should get you started.
Warmest,
Chris
Hi Asif,
Thanks for your kind words.
I recommend you visit my page at…
http://www.alainenthusiast.com/cost-of-living/renting-property-in-al-ain/
…and contact some of the agents there and get them to show you places that are convenient for getting to both work and school easily and quickly.
Warmest,
Chris