For those who have just moved to the UAE, staying connected with friends and family back home and integrating into a new community is easier than ever, thanks to social media and online platforms.
If you're looking for advice, resources or just social connections, there's a group out there for everyone, whether you're a newcomer or long-term resident. Here are the ones to check out.
Abu Dhabi Q&A (By Freya)
Wondering where to get the best gifts for someone who lives abroad? Or do you have a friend visiting and want recommendations on where to get dinner with a view? Abu Dhabi (Q&A by Freya) has more than 84,000 members who are active when it comes to asking questions (anonymously or not) as well as sharing their insights and experiences. No matter how specific a query, there's always someone who seems to have the answer. There is also a women-only group created by the same founder Freya Jaffar called Freya’s Abu Dhabi Lifestyle Community that follows a similar format.
Dubai Expat Community (by Katie Jones)
At the other end of Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai residents can join this group for similar advice and suggestions. Dubai Expat Community has more than 103,000 members and was created as a place to help connect the many different nationalities in the emirate. Members are also encouraged not only to ask for advice but also to share their experiences living in Dubai.
Dirham Stretcher
If you're looking for the best deals in the UAE – whether it's clothing, furniture, health and beauty or children's toys – this is the group for you. Dirham Stretcher currently has more than 100,000 members who share sales they come across or hacks they know that could help save a few dirhams. It’s also a good space to ask questions about where to get the best deals. The founders have also expanded to renting a warehouse in Al Quoz where they sometimes use a community space to host regular warehouse sales.
The Real Mums of Dubai
A social platform for women in Dubai, and the UAE at large, the group has more than 29,000 members. It was created by former teacher Megan Al Mazrooqi. Whether you are a mum, currently pregnant or trying for a baby, this ladies-only group has something for you. It seeks to provide support and information on all things motherhood, as well as offer a platform to laugh (and vent) about the challenges that come with being a mother – from fussy eaters to absent-minded partners.
Dogs in Dubai
If you want to know where to take your dog for a walk or which groomer does the best job, this group is must-join for both new and experienced owners. It has more than 36,000 members who post about animals in need, as well as exchange information about how to best care for canines. The group is a strong resource for helping stray dogs and also caters to those simply looking for tips on how to best pamper their pooch.
Dubai Cats
Are you looking for a feline friend to add to the family, or unsure where to take your sick kitty? Dubai Cats has 39,000 members. The primary aim is to assist stray cats in need, but the group also offers advice to pet owners on all topics cat-related. Members can share their thoughts on which is the healthiest food to give their felines or post about things such as pet adoption days.
Best Bites Abu Dhabi / Dubai
Do you want to know where to get the best karak chai, truffle pizza or authentic fish ‘n chips? Or do you know of a restaurant that has spectacular service or value for money that everyone should visit at least once? Depending on which emirate you live (and eat) in, Best Bites is the group for you. The Abu Dhabi chapter, with more than 56,000 members, is particularly active and members are dedicated to sharing their best (and worst) foodie experiences.
Style ME Interiors Dubai
Inspiration can be hard to come by but this group is aiming to change that. The 18,600 members share tips and inspiration on how to liven up the home interior. From remodelling to designing to asking questions about where to find a certain type of marble, the group is great for helping those looking for a change.
Bio
Born in Dubai in 1994
Her father is a retired Emirati police officer and her mother is originally from Kuwait
She Graduated from the American University of Sharjah in 2015 and is currently working on her Masters in Communication from the University of Sharjah.
Her favourite film is Pacific Rim, directed by Guillermo del Toro
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
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More from Armen Sarkissian
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Profile of Udrive
Date started: March 2016
Founder: Hasib Khan
Based: Dubai
Employees: 40
Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
