living in Abu Dhabi - with pet dog??

[tinam]

Hello,

we are re-locating to Adu Dhabi and have a large dog (which we want to bring). We've realised that living in an apartment is the best way to go (expense wise but not our first choice) but I'm very concered that dogs won't be allowed in them. Does anyone know whether they are - He's a Rottweiler by the way and before anyone panics he's certainly not a guard dog just a common pet who is as soppy as anything and as soft as butter Does anyone have any experience of having dogs with them please???

[Audrey]

Hi and good luck with your move to Abu Dhabi. I know of several people who have dogs, mostly I must admit in villas, not apartments. Some apartment blocks do allow dogs and some do not. You would just have to ask the question.
Be aware though that the locals on the whole do not like dogs and most expats from the subcontinent are terrified of them!
The main problem is that there is nowhere to exercise them, Most parks in the City are family parks and I think you will find dogs are not allowed, though I am not sure on that one. Hopefully soon the Corniche will be reopened and you can then walk there again, which isn't a problem at this time of year but could well be in the summer months.
As I said good luck.

[tinam]

Hello Audrey,

thanks for replying. I'm a bit disheartened now to be honest. I've been told that to be able to rent a villa is almost impossible - is this true please? If it wasn't so difficult we could go down that route, even though I realise they are supposed to be expensive. Any advice would really be appreciated. Thank you.

Tina

[Audrey]

Hi Tina,
It all depends on your budget and how far out of town you are willing to live. Will you be driving?? As you can imagine the centre of Abu Dhabi is almost totally high rise but the further out you go the less expensive the apartments become and the villas all tend to be out of the centre too. I couldn't tell you exactly the cost of renting a villa but there are many different sizes and standards. If you send an email to Barbara at the llink below and explain your situation I'm sure she could give you better advise than me.

http://www.homestyle-property.co.ae/
Hope that helps.

[tinam]

Audrey,

thanks very much for that I'll get on to it.