An Arabian Adventure: Location, Location, Location

A few photos from the villas we viewed yesterday.

Al Raha Gardens

Currently the largest compound for expats. The advantages of this compound include: close to school (if you are at the right end); good community facilities (although no community pool yet); safe for children to ride around on their bikes (although a bit of a maze and roads quite narrow); lots of other children to play with. Disadvantages include: higher utility bills (not entirely sure of reason for this); and less outside space than on some other compounds.

Al Raha Gardens

Main living room

Larger villas on this compound have small pools, but not much other outdoor space

Kitchen at Al Raha Gardens

The compound does have a nice little shopping mall though

And there are plans for a community pool here, although not sure when that will happen.

Golf Gardens

And there are plans for a community pool here, although not sure when that will happen.

Another popular compound with expats. Smaller than Raha Gardens but still a good size. Also has good community facilities, including a pool. Roads are wider, and safe for riding bikes, etc. Close to schools. Larger villas tend to have a little more space.

And there are plans for a community pool here, although not sure when that will happen.

Golf Gardens is another popular compound

Kitchen at Golf Gardens

The villas here are more expensive but have more outside space

This compound already has a community swimming pool

Off Compound

This compound already has a community swimming pool

If you go off compound and further from the city (and schools) you get much more for your money. However these villas tend to be standalone or in small groups (maybe four or six villas), with no community facilities. The advantage is space (inside and out), the disadvantages include no community facilities, further to travel, and less opportunity for the children to make friends.

This compound already has a community swimming pool