After an exhausting 48 hour trip back from San Francisco (caused by a late flight and missed connections) I was rather glad to be back in Dubai. Not for long however, as I am up for a quick fire visit to Berlin tomorrow morning. I must make sure to bring some warm clothes this time, as I spent nearly a week in San Francisco feeling cold to the bone. Maybe I am just to use to wearing shorts and t-shirts all the time in Dubai?
It was was great to be back in Dubai as nearly one year to the day I got to make the first visit to the apartment I brought last year. Sure I can go down and look at the construction site, sure I can look at the floor plans and I can even go and look at a replica of the complex built in the Downtown area, but nothing quite compares to seeing the real thing.
The purpose of the visit was to inspect the property for snagging purposes. My friend Chris could probably write a novel on this process. I intend to use his experience to help smooth things along.
Parking at the development gave me a real sense of what it would be like to live there. The communal facilities and landscaping looked like they would be modern and functional with the promise of restaurants, retail outlets and even a Spinney’s Supermarket (very similar to Dubai Marina Phase One) looks like it could be a life of convenience should, this come to fruition.
The feeling of anticipation was hard to describe – similar to waiting for Christmas presents as a child however with the added excitement of hand of poker with a large pot at stake. When I walked into the apartment for the first time and entered the lounge – the wide panaromic window left me speechless, affording me with a dramatic vista. I felt like I had won the jackpot. Here it is:
Then walking out to the balcony, the views again of the Marina and further out to the Jumeriah Lake Towers and beyond were just amazing:
This view will only improve when later this year the super yachts start mooring up outside the Dubai Motor Yacht club and the completion of further buildings in the Jumeriah Lake Towers will really fill the skyline.
Overall I was really pleased with the apartment. Sure there was the odd scratch, nick or mark but I really felt that Emmar had delivered a quality product based on the price I paid. The kitchen was nicely fitted out:
Both bedrooms are spacious and have nice en-suite bathrooms. I really hope that the showers are powerful, as the water was off on my visit so I was unable to test them. I was told I would be allowed back for a second visit to make sure these all worked fine.
While I was certain I was going to get a great view of the Marina – I was less sure if I would be able to get any view of the ocean – however I got a pleasant surprise and I have interesting “rooftops and sea view” from the breakfast room window and balcony:
The overall Marina Promenade is a really nice development and I am keen to see the swimming pool, gym and other facilities once they are complete. When I lent over the balcony to take a photo of the whole development I suddenly remembered I don’t deal with heights very well, but the end result was unusual shot:
I realise there is sometime to go before I get my hands on my new home and there will be a lot of bureaucracy to go before I get the keys. The effort will be worth it, of that I know for sure now.
The views are breathtaking – am sure it’s even better in person. Congratulations on your lovely apartment – good luck with the move in – exciting, am sure
By: rosh on February 5, 2008
at 11:23 pm
Looks fantastic. When will solar power come to Dubai? When and if it does it will be even better!
I am having a crusade in favour of solar and wind power for the world and particularly places such as Dubai.
By: Robyn on February 6, 2008
at 5:06 am
Congrats on the lovely apartment. Im sure you feel nice about the time you decided to buy the place. Always exciting!! Whens the party?
By: Mohamed on February 6, 2008
at 8:50 pm
great apartment… i hope I am able to afford it some day
By: Umar on February 7, 2008
at 2:56 pm
Looks pretty tasty.
You won’t get many slugs in that kitchen.
By: Gomez on February 7, 2008
at 3:03 pm
Thanks all for the kind response. I do feel very lucky with the outcome. Dubai property is always a bit of a gamble but I am pleased so far.
By: Aaron on February 8, 2008
at 12:11 am
nice apartment! we bought one from emaar here in egypt but it will not be ready until 2011 so i dont daydream about it. when will you be able to move in and what will you do with that odd corner in your living room in the first picture? i am loving the stove!!
By: ilka on February 14, 2008
at 12:53 pm
Hi Ilka – good luck with your Emaar property. I really thing they are the best developer in the Middle East.
The “odd corner” is a breakfast/study area with a nice view of the sea. I will end up turning it to my home office.
By: Aaron on February 14, 2008
at 9:03 pm
Hi,
Have you thought about setting up a web cam form your apartment overlooking the marina?
I often think about the views you will enjoy once you move in. Well done, you’re living the dream
Cheers
Alex
By: Alexander on February 16, 2008
at 4:52 am
With that great view you may not get much work done!
By: ilka on February 16, 2008
at 6:19 am
The view will be great and I think even better at night – when the Marina really comes alive.
Alex a webcam is something I have been thinking about for a while. If I can get the right setup it is something I will have a look into.
By: Aaron on February 16, 2008
at 10:42 am
[...] favorite place to live in Dubai is Dubai Marina. I was fascinated by this magnificent housing project. Despite its high cost, I was determined to live in Dubai Marina as it [...]
By: Mission: Find a place to live | Umar in Dubai on February 17, 2008
at 6:18 pm
luvly jubbly – with a serving of bubbly, no doubt! Fantastic property, do you plan to move in? Where’s the party?
By: i*maginate on February 18, 2008
at 1:40 am
Umar you have a fun blog – keep it up.
i*maginate – I certainly hope there will be a glass of bubbly or two when I get my hands on the place. My current plan is to move into it – a tough decision as Villa life has been a lot of fun over the last nine months.
By: Aaron on February 18, 2008
at 8:06 pm
Superb! Well done – I am happy for you. I too, am making a purchase in Ras Al Khaimah and looking forward to moving in when the project has been fully completed.
I have a long way to go though! mid 2009, without adding “infrastructure delays” in the equation. At least the delays will give me time to save more money to buy lovely furniture.
Best,
Dee.
By: Dee on February 22, 2008
at 11:19 pm
[...] taster I got in February when I went for the snagging was enough for me to drive the process to conclusion today. Having [...]
By: I got the key « An Englishman in Dubai on May 4, 2008
at 9:40 pm
Hi, Aaron.
Great blog. I’ve been reading it to get a sense of what it’s like to live in Dubai.
Aaron, I’m thinking about visiting Dubai in February or March of 2009 during my next vacation from working on a cruise ship. (Yeah, that’s my career!)
I’d like to find a villa to rent for a month. Can you help me by advising on neighborhoods to consider, and pricing? I don’t want to spend seven grand for a month-long stay, you know?
Would you kindly respond to me via email rather than on your blog?
Many thanks,
Desiree, IT professional
Denver, Colorado
By: Desiree on October 6, 2008
at 2:01 am
Hi Desiree,
Thanks for your kind comments. I think the best thing to do would be check out the short let ads at:
http://www.dubizzle.com
or
http://www.gnads4u.com/properties
Pricing is fairly dynamic (getting more expensive) – but you could get a room in a villa for less than $1500 a month in Jumeriah or Mirdiff, or perhaps even rent a one bed room/studio in Dubai Marina or JLT for around $3k-$4k for a month.
Good luck
Aaron
By: Aaron on October 6, 2008
at 8:19 am