Wednesday, June 15, 2011

[ our new place...maybe? ]

IT'S BEEN a while since we arrived in Dubai and getting all the official permits and paperwork sorted has been a very long, drawn-out process. We are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel and the hunt has officially begun to find our new place. You may remember that we toured around some neighbourhoods weighing out the pros and cons of a villa in the outskirts to a small apartment closer to the action. Well, we've decided on an apartment! And in the Dubai Marina area. We love the area, there are lots of shops and restaurants to walk to, the metro station is right there to take me to a long list of malls and the scenery is pretty.

We've narrowed down which cluster of buildings we want to be in and visited a few apartments to see what's available (not many since people apparently love them so the turn-over is slow). They are the original buildings built in the marina development and have an excellent reputation so it's understandable why people don't want to move out.

I wish I had taken photos while inside because you wouldn't believe the one that we have decided on - a decor nightmare! Every wall is covered in dark wallpaper - olive stripes in the living room, florals in the bedrooms and the bathroom and the spare bedroom is plastered in Barbie stickers! We've been assured that all the wallpaper will be removed and the walls patched/painted and everything scrubbed before we move in but it definitely took some effort to see past the ugliness of it.

But the floors are a lovely dark wood (instead of the typical beige ceramic tile so common here) so that's a nice feature. And we were immediately drawn to the view from the square balcony - one direction points to the marina, the other points to the lovely landscaped courtyard and pool area. Compared to the other places we saw, it was a no-brainer.


There are still details to work out before we know if it's ours (so much red tape). And of course lots of work to be done inside before it's ready for us to move in. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

lisa

24 comments:

Privet and Holly said...

Yay! I remember
that I voted for
city living : )
Your adventure is
off to a grand
start, Lisa!
xx Suzanne

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness...it looks INCREDIBLE!!!!

Meeling said...

The views are stunning Lisa!!!

The present decor sounds very shall we say...interesting! Yikes...knowing your wonderful sense of style and great taste...you will make it beautiful!

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a wonderful view!! I'm so excited for you! Hope it's yours soon!

Formerly known as Frau said...

With a view like that and a pool, Barbie stickers I can handle! Hope everything goes smoothly and you make it your own soon.

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Yes, what an amazing view to wake up to every day. Seriously on the Barbie stickers? How awesome that they will get it all off for you though. We had not such luck, bought ours as is and it hadn't been touched since the 70's - yellow shag carpet anyone?
Will keep fingers crossed for you :)

Pinecone Camp said...

City living is the way to go - good luck with getting that apartment! Barbie stickers? Next time you're there, take a pic. Would love to see that ;)
Have a great day!

Marianne said...

What a view! Cannot wait to see what you do with your new place!

lei said...

Don't worry, they'll make the place a completely blank slate! That's standard over here when a tenant moves out.

You'll enjoy making it your own, fingers crossed for you!

Lynne said...

I voted for the marina! Yeah! I'm a PacNWwest girl...we love life on the waterfront! Soooo happy for you! Fingers crossed here too! I may just do a sidebar for you two!!!
~Lynne
[w/l]

All things nice... said...

Wow love the view, what floor is is on?

All things nice...

Carol@TheDesignPages said...

I'm so glad you went for the city. Leave the suburbs for when you have kids:) I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you>

Razmataz said...

Seems everyone is just waiting to see about a house right now....my sister, you...me....limbo is unsettling.

Charlotta Ward said...

How fun to move to Dubai!
Congratulations on finding a place to live. I'll keep my fingers crossed it will be yours soon.

Thank you for your comment today. Lovely to meet you and to find your blog. Just became your latest follower and will add you to my blog roll.

Happy settling in.

x Charlotta

Burlap Luxe said...

Thank you Lisa for your beautiful visit and comment on my French addie house numbers :)

I am so going to enjoy getting to know you!
Off to check out your older postings!

Visit soon :)
Cheers
~Dore

Barbara Matson said...

Fingers crossed XX!

flowers on my table said...

Wow, that is some view! I am sure you are relieved to have it sorted, or mostly sorted. Shame we didnt get to see the olive stripes! Thankyou for your comments, I can imagine that Vienna must be just heavenly for coffee and pastries. I wish my hubby worked in the coffee industry! Much love, Linda x

Kellie Collis said...

Gorgeous architecture! Have a beautiful day, Kellie xx

Karen said...

Crossing my fingers for you that it works out in your favor, good luck!

anita said...

Yay!! Fingers crossed!!

Anna @ IHOD said...

I am sure it will be such a relief once you have your place! It looks beautiful!

Beach Coast Style said...

wow!!! this is one of places on my list that would make me very happy to visit! It's just breathtaking and the whole idea of designing life around the ocean I just don't have any words. I can't wait to see what you do and where you pick. And thanks for visiting my blog.

SHERRY HART said...

What a great adventure to be on. I can not imagine living there but I am sure that you will help us learn all there is to know!

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

This is just so much fun to follow along with you on this adventure! Good luck sealing the deal and can't wait to see photos, and the view photos? Crazy fabulous! Janell

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