A new community in Dubai is being sold as a perfect place for people to spend their retirement.
The emirate has long been known for its transitory nature, with a large turnover of residents from all over the world.
Now developer Majid Al Futtaim is banking on that changing as families look to put roots down and buy homes in which to retire – in its housing district Tilal Al Ghaf.
This month, Dubai’s government announced non-GCC citizens would be able to live in the emirate long-term, providing certain conditions were met.
Arun Tuli, 62, from India, and his Canadian wife Neeka, 59, plan on taking advantage of the new visas.
I'm looking forward to playing with my grandchildren here
“It was a very easy decision to decide to buy property here,” said Mr Tuli, who runs his own air-conditioning company in Dubai.
“We’re planning to spend our retirement living here. We both had a strong feeling that this was the perfect place to set up a home.”
Applicants for the visa must be aged 55 or up and hold valid health insurance.
They must also have a monthly income of Dh20,000; have Dh1 million in cash savings; or own Dh2m worth of property in Dubai.
The Tulis were bought one of 900 three and four-bedroom townhouses in the first phase of the project.
Known as Elan, the community will span three million square metres when complete, with the keys set to be handed over in 2022.
Homes include bungalows, townhouses and larger villas ranging from Dh1.3 million to Dh1.9m .
Ms Tuli said she and her husband chose a four-bedroom townhouse so they could spend time with their grandchildren.
One of the most distinctive features of Tilal Al Ghaf is a seven-kilometre lagoon.
“The vastness of the area means it’s a great place to walk about in,” said Ms Tuli, a teacher.
“I’m looking forward to playing with my grandchildren here – everything about it is so relaxing.”
While a laid-back retirement community sounds like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle that people associate with Dubai, there are still more than a few nods to the city’s reputation as a futuristic hub.
One of those examples is a robot shaped like a jet fighter that is assigned the task of cleaning the lagoon, which is still under construction.
So far demand has been high.
Hawazen Esber, chief executive of communities at Majid Al Futtaim, said that all 900 units in the first phase have been sold.
“Tilal Al Ghaf is a place of longevity where generations of families will grow up,” he said.
“If people want to retire in Dubai this is the perfect place.”
He said he was confident that demand for the project will continue to grow, despite the financial impact of the pandemic.
“Despite the global disruption of the pandemic, we have seen high optimism, particularly at Tilal Al Ghaf which saw a phased release of units being sold out in mid-February, and again just this month,” he said.
“Our changing reality has increased concerns among our buyers. As such, all our communities are designed so that all our residents’ needs, whether school, retail, or community centres, are just a few steps away.”
In recent years, other developers have sought to wow potential homeowners with grand designs and even free cars with purchases.
“It’s not in our USP to plant the Eiffel Tower in the middle of a community. We are giving people what they want,” Mr Esber said.
“We have created a destination where people have a sense of belonging.”
But he is not limiting the target market to couples looking at retirement destinations.
“It is a family-focused community that will appeal to a diverse range of cultures, age groups, and nationalities,” he said.
“The neighbourhood provides the modern family with an authentic sense of belonging; where people can connect, socialise and unwind.”
He points to the amenities that will be available in Tilal Al Ghaf as an indication as to why people will be excited about the project, close to Motor City in Dubai.
He said there will be a school within nine minutes’ walking distance by the time people have moved into the district.
Other features include a white sand beach, an 18km cycling and jogging lane and tree trails.
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
Asian Cup 2019
Quarter-final
UAE v Australia, Friday, 8pm, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
Tour de France 2017: Stage 5
Vittel - La Planche de Belles Filles, 160.5km
It is a shorter stage, but one that will lead to a brutal uphill finish. This is the third visit in six editions since it was introduced to the race in 2012. Reigning champion Chris Froome won that race.
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Founder: Ahmed Al Qubaisi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: January 2019
Number of employees: 10
Sector: Technology/Social media
Funding to date: Estimated $300,000 from Hub71 in-kind support
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Checking: the obsession or thoughts focus on some harm coming from things not being as they should, which usually centre around the theme of safety. For example, the obsession is “the building will burn down”, therefore the compulsion is checking that the oven is switched off.
Contamination: the obsession is focused on the presence of germs, dirt or harmful bacteria and how this will impact the person and/or their loved ones. For example, the obsession is “the floor is dirty; me and my family will get sick and die”, the compulsion is repetitive cleaning.
Orderliness: the obsession is a fear of sitting with uncomfortable feelings, or to prevent harm coming to oneself or others. Objectively there appears to be no logical link between the obsession and compulsion. For example,” I won’t feel right if the jars aren’t lined up” or “harm will come to my family if I don’t line up all the jars”, so the compulsion is therefore lining up the jars.
Intrusive thoughts: the intrusive thought is usually highly distressing and repetitive. Common examples may include thoughts of perpetrating violence towards others, harming others, or questions over one’s character or deeds, usually in conflict with the person’s true values. An example would be: “I think I might hurt my family”, which in turn leads to the compulsion of avoiding social gatherings.
Hoarding: the intrusive thought is the overvaluing of objects or possessions, while the compulsion is stashing or hoarding these items and refusing to let them go. For example, “this newspaper may come in useful one day”, therefore, the compulsion is hoarding newspapers instead of discarding them the next day.
Source: Dr Robert Chandler, clinical psychologist at Lighthouse Arabia
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
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THE BIO
Occupation: Specialised chief medical laboratory technologist
Age: 78
Favourite destination: Always Al Ain “Dar Al Zain”
Hobbies: his work - “ the thing which I am most passionate for and which occupied all my time in the morning and evening from 1963 to 2019”
Other hobbies: football
Favorite football club: Al Ain Sports Club
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
Sunday:
GP3 race: 12:10pm
Formula 2 race: 1:35pm
Formula 1 race: 5:10pm
Performance: Guns N' Roses
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Results
2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.
3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.
4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.
5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.
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Manchester United 0
Manchester City 2
Bernardo Silva 54', Sane 66'
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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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
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
'Moonshot'
Director: Chris Winterbauer
Stars: Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse
Rating: 3/5
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Company%20Profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
