This week is moving week. We're relocating from our apartment in Sobha Hartland to a villa in Villanova – and we wanted to document the real, unfiltered experience.
It's not just about boxes and vans. It's curtains, appliances, cleaning, paperwork, stress, excitement, nostalgia, and a little chaos. Whether you're moving within Dubai or planning your relocation from abroad, we hope this helps paint a realistic picture.
Getting Keys Early: The Phased Move
We got the keys to Villanova a week before the official move. This gave us time for:
- Curtain fitting
- Appliance delivery
- Deep clean and pest control
- Sorting work permits for tradespeople
Pro tip: If you can negotiate early access, do it. Having a week to prep makes moving day so much smoother.
Curtain Hack: Reuse and Save
When we first got our curtains fitted in the apartment, the guy said: "If you ever move, we can take these, cut them down to size, and fit them in your new place."
So that's exactly what we did.
| Cost | Amount (AED) |
|---|---|
| Original curtains (apartment) | 3,800 |
| Refit + 1 new roller blind (villa) | 2,700 |
| Savings | ~1,100 |
The curtain guy came, took the old ones down, and fitted them all within three days. We just gave him a key to the place.
Buying White Goods: The Carrefour Run
One big difference between our apartment and the villa: the apartment came with appliances. The villa? Empty shell.
We had holes in the kitchen where appliances should be:
- No fridge
- No cooker
- No washing machine
- No dishwasher
The curtain guy recommended Carrefour for the best prices. So off we went to Festival City Mall.
"We're about to spend more time looking for a cooker than the total time we've spent cooking in Dubai."
We ordered everything – Samsung fridge, cooker, washing machine, dishwasher – all delivered the next day.
Installation Notes
- Fridge: Leave it 3 hours before turning on
- Cooker: They don't connect the gas – you need a separate appointment
- Dishwasher: The pipe was too big to fit through the hole. Called building maintenance to make it bigger.
Deep Clean + Pest Control Vouchers
When you move into a new-build property, you typically get two vouchers:
- Pest control – Done on Monday
- Deep clean – Done on Wednesday
Book early. These services get busy, especially around popular move-in times.
The Deep Clean Reality Check
The team came, did their thing. But on inspection...
- Stairs weren't cleaned
- Paint marks still visible
- Some spots missed
Always inspect before signing off. We gave feedback and they addressed it.
Work Permits: What You Need to Know
Tradespeople need permits to enter communities like Villanova. This includes:
- Curtain fitters
- Appliance delivery
- Cleaners
- Any contractors
Get these approved in advance through your developer/building management app. Otherwise, workers can't get through security.
The Move-Out Permit Trap
Here's something that caught us off guard:
You need a move-out permit to leave your building. Ours wasn't showing in the app.
Why? We had an unpaid bill – 700 AED for air conditioning – from two days earlier.
"If you don't pay your smart collection bill, you're not able to get a move-out permit. Everything's connected."
Lesson: Check for any outstanding bills before moving day. Even small amounts can block your permit.
The Emotional Side
Moving day hit harder than expected.
"I feel a little bit sad. When we moved here, it was like wow – we've done it. Our dreams came true. We moved to Dubai, we got the apartment we wanted. And now we're moving out."
This apartment was where our Dubai journey started. Leaving it felt like closing a chapter.
By 9:52am on moving day, I'd already done 5,535 steps running around. By noon: 7,200 steps.
The movers arrived just after 8am. By 10am, everything was wrapped and ready. They move FAST.
Last Night Rituals
The night before, we went to Dubai Mall:
- PF Chang's for dinner
- Candylicious for Reggie
- Batch cookies (they'd been late on a previous order, so we got 8 free cookies as compensation)
- One last episode of Shark Tank
A quiet celebration before the chaos.
Villa Life: What's Different
The Knocking
Within 20 minutes of arriving at Villanova, we'd had multiple knocks at the door:
- Car wash services
- Water bottle delivery
- Internet sales
"That's one thing you definitely don't get being in an apartment – they're not allowed in the building. In a villa community, it's constant."
It's annoying. I hope it calms down.
More Space, More Issues
The villa is amazing. But we also had:
- AC not working upstairs – It was like a sauna. Fixed eventually.
- A leak – Someone came same-day to fix it (impressive)
- Snagging tickets – We've got a list open with Dubai Properties
New builds mean warranty work. Expect to spend time on the developer app.
Furniture Layout Challenges
The villa layout is different from an apartment. We spent ages working out where to put the couch.
Option 1: By the TV area – felt too tight, blocked the walkway.
Option 2: Corner arrangement – cosy cinema vibe, but awkward access to plug sockets.
Still figuring it out.
The Kids' Reactions
Reggie's reaction to his new room was priceless:
"Oh my gosh! Look how much space you got!"
Both boys slept like babies the first night. No dramas getting up for school the next morning.
First School Run from Villanova
Monday morning. 6am alarm. Everyone up without being woken.
The drive to school: about 25 minutes. Traffic wasn't too bad.
Different from the walk we had at Hartland, but manageable.
Pro Tips for Moving in Dubai
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Get keys early | Negotiate early access for prep work |
| Reuse curtains | Ask your curtain fitter if they can refit at a new place |
| Carrefour for appliances | Good prices, fast delivery |
| Book voucher services early | Deep clean and pest control get busy |
| Sort work permits | Tradespeople need community access approved |
| Check all bills | Unpaid bills block move-out permits |
| Carry cash for tips | Service workers appreciate it – goes a long way |
| Expect snagging | New builds need warranty work – use the developer app |
| Prepare for door knocks | Villa communities get more sales visits than apartments |
The Week's Bonus: Kevin Hart in Abu Dhabi
In the middle of moving chaos, we snuck in a night at Yas Island to see Kevin Hart at Etihad Arena.
No phones allowed inside (they lock them in pouches), but he was awesome.
And we found a bottle of wine for 150 AED at a restaurant – compared to 390 AED at a place 2 minutes away. Dubai pricing is wild.
One Week In: How We're Feeling
By the end of the first week:
- AC working ✅
- Leak fixed ✅
- Washing machine still not working ❌ (most stressful part)
- Boys happy and settled ✅
- Basketball court discovery – literally visible from our house ✅
Reggie even won the Spirit of Rugby award – so proud. As a result, I'm now going to become a coach for the under-9s. If he's willing to commit, I'm willing to commit.
Apartment vs Villa: Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Apartment (Sobha Hartland) | Villa (Villanova) |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Included | Empty shell – buy everything |
| School run | Walking distance | 25-minute drive |
| Privacy | Building security, no door knocks | Constant sales visits |
| Space | Limited | Loads more – garden, multiple floors |
| Community | Building amenities | Tennis courts, pool, basketball nearby |
| Maintenance | Building management handles most | More DIY, developer app for snagging |
Thinking about moving to Villanova? Check out our full Villanova community tour or read the neighbourhood guide.
Planning your Dubai relocation? Take my neighbourhood quiz to find the right area for your family, or check out the relocation package if you want hands-on help.
Moving is emotional. Don't underestimate it. Especially if you're leaving the place where your Dubai journey started. ❤️