Accommodation in the UAE comes in different types. There are simple apartments, condo units, and luxurious villas. If you are working in the UAE and you are planning to stay here for the next couple of years, you should know how to look for accommodation that suits your budget and lifestyle. For expats who are wondering how easy or difficult it is to find a house in the UAE, you will learn more about it in the latter part of this article.
Not all employers will bear your accommodation if you work here in the UAE. If you are lucky enough to find a company that will help you finance your accommodation, the better since you can save big time. Don’t worry if your employer will not help you with your home because there are affordable units around the UAE. You just need to find the right location. When looking for accommodation in the country, there are different methods of how you can do it. In this article, we collate 10 effective ways so you can find the best and most affordable accommodation right before you fly to the country.
10 Tips: Where to Find Accommodation in UAE
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Look for listed properties online.
The most effective way to look for accommodation in the UAE is online. There are a lot of websites today that allow landlords to list their properties for rent. You are free to use Google to search for available vacancies, especially if you are still in your home country. Find a reliable website where you can search for a property and don’t forget to get the contact details of the landlord. If you can message him through the website, send him your inquiries. Remember to look for a website with cheap accommodation if that’s what you are looking for.
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Ask your friends for referrals.
There is no easier way to get a list of available properties but through your friends. Ask them if they know someone who is currently offering his property for rent. If you have more than one friend living and working in the UAE, you can easily find a good place where you can stay through their connections. Seek their help and you will surely find the right place for you in a short period of time.
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Go to the actual location.
If you are already in the UAE and you are planning to move out of the place where you are currently staying, it is best to go to the community you are planning to move to. Make sure that you have more than one neighborhood as an option so you can choose what’s more affordable. It will still depend on your preference as a tenant. If your target is to look for accommodation near your office, then you should look for a community near your workplace. Don’t forget to ask the people in your chosen neighborhood if they know someone who is renting out his property. Visiting the actual location in person is more convenient since you can already see the condition of the property if you find one.
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Find properties for rent on news websites.
News websites are one of the most reliable sources in the UAE. If you can’t find a good or legit website where you can find properties for sale, try to find them on news websites such as Khaleej Times, UAE today, Emirate 24/7 and so on. For sure, they have a section there where real properties for rent are promoted. It wouldn’t hurt to check.
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Look for ads in magazines and newspapers.
If news websites are not an option, you can stick to the traditional magazines and newspapers. Look for ads showing properties for rent. If you can collect more than one newspaper or magazine, you will find more options to choose from. Don’t forget to call the contact details printed in the newspaper so you can get an update about the vacancy right away.
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Ask your co-employees.
Asking your co-employees is an option too. The bigger your network is, the more properties you can find. You can ask them about referrals or if they know someone who is offering his place for rent. You can also inquire if they are still accepting tenants because most of the time, expats just one place where they can stay together. If you will get lucky, your co-employees may offer you a slot in their condo or apartment unit.
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Seek help from your previous landlord.
It’s not a shame to ask your previous landlords for help especially if your contract ended in good terms. For sure, your landlords have enough network to find you a place where you can move to. Just don’t forget to ask politely and kindly.
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Ask your friends to squeeze you in for the meantime.
If you will not be able to find a place in a specified period, try to ask your friends to squeeze you in for the meantime. While you are staying at your friends’ home, continue looking for accommodation and apartment sharing. You will eventually find a place considering that the UAE has a large network of expats. Once you find one, thank your friends for helping you out.
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Find your relatives in the UAE.
This is only applicable for expats who have relatives in the UAE. If you have family members here, you can seek their help so you can find an accommodation as soon as possible. If they have enough room for you, they will surely give you space.
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Ask for referrals through social media.
There are groups on Facebook where you can post what you are looking for. You can join those groups in order to find properties for rent. However, you still need to be vigilant even if you find many landlords trying to help you. Facebook might not be safe for you so make sure that you are not paying anything online. Asking for referrals through social media is free.
You may be challenged to look for accommodation during your first time here in the UAE. As soon as you find a place where you can stay, everything that follows will be easy. Just continue expanding your reach and adding more people to your network so the next time you need a place to move to, it will be easier to find one because of your connections. Share these 10 ways so you can help other expats in the UAE find a good place.