Moving to Abu Dhabi

With so many expats relocating to Abu Dhabi, many can be at a complete loss about what to expect when it comes to culture, red tape, laws and simply settling in. Sara Taher speaks to a new company offering solutions.

As throngs of people flock to Abu Dhabi in search of economic opportunities and a better quality of life, many can be plagued by insecurity or fear as they are moving to a foreign culture. While there are lots of companies that can help with the logistics of relocating, a newly established organisation helps with more personal aspects of life here. We speak to Lauren Hawksby, the founder of Simply Settled.

When did you start this relocation company?
Simply Settled was founded in 2012 after frequent calls and emails from friends and family for local advice. We created Simply Settled and a proficient range of relocation services that are flexible and can be personalised to the requirements of its corporate clients and individuals alike.

How does your company differ from other mover businesses?
Simply Settled differs from other relocation services because we try to customise the experience as much as possible. We work with a lot of HR companies and businesses. For example, if you were moving from Canada and Simply Settled was employed by your new employer in Abu Dhabi, we would be in contact two weeks before your arrival. This allows us to gather all the information we need to help you and your family settle in. A questionnaire would be sent with questions such as: How many children do you have? What are their ages? What is their school curriculum? Do you have any pets? How many bedrooms do you require in your new house? And so on. We would then contact our removals colleagues and they would provide you with a quote for shipping and moving all of your belongings. We are not a moving company, we deal with expatriates once they arrive in the UAE. We can provide advice in regards to moving and relocating house contents.

Once the family arrives in the UAE, we will give them a city orientation, overview of the educational resources, accommodation and leisure facilities that Abu Dhabi has to offer. We will advise them on how to get a driving licence and other paperwork which is important when living in the UAE.

What are some unique aspects of your services?
We offer a range of services to suit every client, big or small, and tailor our packages to the client’s needs and wants. Simply Settled has a team of experienced, friendly and outgoing consultants who themselves have hands-on experience of living in Abu Dhabi. Some of the services we offer are airport collection, car hire assistance, accommodation viewings, assistance with Etisalat, Emirates ID assistance, school search, overview of leisure facilities, viewing of different areas in around to reside in and their benefits as well as providing a welcome pack with relevant information.

Why do you think people need such a service?
Relocation services are key to HR departments, when recruiting expatriates from outside the Middle East, as it helps them adjust to their new home and environment as quickly as possible and reduces the chance of the new employee ‘throwing in the towel’, so to speak.

What are the biggest attractions and drawbacks in relocating to Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi has changed tremendously over the past decade and is forever developing. One of the biggest attractions to Abu Dhabi is the way of life for both professionals and families and the safe environment that it provides. Abu Dhabi’s crime rate is low, income tax free and of course the sun, sand and sea all year round are a bonus! However the drawbacks for some new expatriates is the distance from family and friends, the hot summers and change in culture.

What is one essential piece of advice that you think every new comer should know?
The most important piece of advice I would give to new expatriates is that everything takes time in the UAE and you must be patient, however Simply Settled is on hand to help make the settling in process smoother.

How do people usually react when you tell them about your company?
People tend to be quite surprised when I mention Simply Settled. They are intrigued and also praise the idea and how it is missing in the markets in Abu Dhabi. Just to clarify we are not a removal company we are an on the ground relocation service provider.
To learn more visit www.simply-settled.com.