Looking for some information about the "villas" provided by the company. I have a wife and two kids (all eager to live abroad) and would like some specifics on the housing options. I know you can choose company provided housing or take the monthly stipend.

What size are the villas?
Are they in a compound type setting?
What are the furnishings like?

Any pictures from current employees would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

The villas are more like what you would call a townhouse. At least three bedrooms and size would be at least 2500 sq. ft. As such, they are not located in "compounds", but rather like you would find townhome neighborhoods in the US. You can either take unfurnished or furnished. If you take furnished, the stuff is adequate. Unfurnished and they give you an allowance to get your furnishings.

The issue right now is that there is a housing shortage. Recruiters are telling protential pilots it may be up to six months to be put in one's villa.

www.siliconoasis.org

The above address is a web site run by some EK pilots. Some nice photos on what that neighborhood is like.

But it is a kind of crap shoot on where you might be, especially with housing shortage. Some places are great, near the beaches and shopping, some are not as great. Location, location, location. But most of the guys I talk with seem to be satisfied with their accomodations, some more than others. The monthly stipend will fall short on like housing. It used to be a good deal, but with inflation and rent hikes, most would advise now to take company accomodations.

Hope this helps a little.

TP, Gilliegan, BusCanuk....comments

Thanks, very informative.

What is the reason for the delay in getting into a villa? Not enough being built, or too many pilots?

We toured EK housing a few weeks ago.

You can expect temporary housing for about 6 months -- could be a studio apartment, 1 or 2 bedroom. We were told it could be the marina area, but then again, you won't know until it's assigned.

Regarding the villas, we were told "most likely" we would be in Mirdiff. It's an area just south of the airport. I belive those are scheduled to be completed around this fall.

The villa we toured was quite large. Four generous sized bedrooms (all on second floor) with built-in wardrobes, master has attached full bath, guest bedroom also has attached full bath, remaining two bedrooms share hall bath, first floor great room and kitchen. The maids quarters (small bedroom and full bath) are located directly off the front door.

Company furnishing are nice. Brown is the color of the moment -- brown couch, chairs, coffee table, end tables, dining table with chairs, beds, kitchen ware, etc. Not my first choice, but much nicer than I imagined. We would take the furnished option if he's offered the job. Everyone we spoke with is quite happy with the furnishings, except the mattresses. We were told that they're hard as rocks.

Hope this helps.

The reason for the housing shortage is that due to the rate of inflation here, rent for housing has gone through the roof and the company has been unwilling to pay the market rate. (That market rate will take your breath away - $82,000/year for some 3-4 bedroom villas of modest size) They have been fairly successful in the past in controlling their housing costs (they are one of the biggest tenants in Dubai and have a fair amount of clout) but it seems that it has gotten away from them this time.

There are unsubstantiated rumors of one time lump sum payments to induce folks to take the allowance (don't unless you intend to buy). As far as what you are willing to put up with in terms of the temporary accommodation - I guess that's up to you. A word of caution though; the accommodation department can be the most frustrating part of Emirates. When I interviewed 13 years ago I was pretty happy with what I was shown. When I arrived, I was put into a very disappointing villa. The yard was a wreck, the garage doors were placed up against the wall and the furniture was used. I immediately asked for a new place and was told that if I didn't like it, I could take the allowance (which didn't cover enough then either). 10 years later, after we had spent a lot of our own money making the place our own, the company decided to move us. They did give us a decent choice and we are pretty happy with where we have ended up but the point is that it is a crap shoot.

Where you live has a huge impact on your overall satisfaction and over the years, I would bet that of all the reasons that people have left, dissatisfaction with their accommodation is right up at the top of the list. I don't know how your experience will be and the things that really ****ed me off happened over 10 years ago so some more recent information would be appropriate. I only know that it's a pretty important part of the picture.

Oh, and by the way...if at all possible, I'd take the furniture allowance. (It wasn't available when I joined). The company furnishings aren't the greatest and you don't have a choice of style, color etc. Having your own stuff (either bought here or brought over) goes a long way towards making your place a home.

Thanks for all the replies!

Are the any photos available for the EK Single guy flat?

Singles and married without children get a three bedroom two bath apartment and the furnishings are the same as the villa. The one we toured had a swimming pool on the roof.

It's pretty much a "typical apartment" except you could be living on the 50th floor!

Single guys are only entitled to a two bedroom apartment. They sometimes get a three bedroom, but that is become more the exception than the rule.


TP

I have not seen any photos. Are there any that can send me a few?