Ask Ali: House-hunting Emiratis share common goals

Buying a home depends on personal preferences, and is based on one’s financial status. But there are some common values we hold when choosing a family house.

Ali Al Saloom

Dear Ali: I have noticed that Emiratis prefer to live in certain type of houses and areas. Can you tell me how Emiratis buy their houses and what they look for in a new home? MJ, Al Ain

Dear MJ: There are no written rules for this. Buying a home depends on personal preferences, and is based on one’s financial status. The UAE has an advanced real-estate market that fits any taste and budget. But there are some common values we hold when it comes to choosing a family house. First is location – our society is very connected, so close relatives prefer to live close together. Also, when a family looks to buy a house, they try to find one not too far from their workplace, for convenience.

Price matters a lot, too – once an Emirati finds a good, reasonable place within their budget, they will usually go for that; if not, they will look for another option.

Once the price and location are acceptable, there’s something else to consider: privacy. The house’s grounds shouldn’t be shared or exposed too much to other people. This is one of the most significant parts of what we consider comfortable living.

The last thing we look at is design – the colour of the house and design of the rooms and facade are important for some. Some families prefer traditional design over modern, and if that is the case, the house should have an inbuilt majlis, or a space where one can be built.

Some would add that houses should have many rooms, even if all of them won’t be used. We’re hospitable, and love spacious living areas for all family members, including any new additions. We usually like two kitchens, one inside the house and another outside, for different purposes, such as cooking and barbecuing or grilling fish (an essential meal every Friday in Emirati culture; it’s preferred that it’s cooked outside, so it won’t make the house smell.

A proper wing for a driver and helpers is definitely important when it comes to buying or building our houses.

Dear Ali: How long does one need in the UAE to learn about its culture? Where should I start? HF, Finland

Dear HF: For me, it’s always of great interest to learn about the cultures of other people and countries. The first thing I do when I go to another country is look for a person from that land who is proud of their culture and people, knows about the history and heritage, loves his country and can show me real life. Such people can make anyone see beauty in their own culture.

If you come to the UAE for five days, you can learn much more than a person who lives here for 10 years. What matters is whether you’re interested in discovering the new country, its culture and its people. In the UAE, every emirate has a museum dedicated to the heritage and history of the UAE, where people can learn interesting and useful information about our culture and what influenced it.

Meeting local people as well can help you to obtain authentic knowledge, and if you can experience some local traditions, such as a conventional gathering in the majlis for discussions. Perhaps you will be invited to a local wedding or waleemah or aazeemah – a family, friends’ and guests’ lunch or dinner treat.

Learning words in the Emirati dialect will also help you to understand culture on a deeper level, and probably help you make more friends, which will help you to learn, too. Good luck.

Ali Al Saloom is a cultural adviser and public speaker from the UAE. Follow @AskAli on Twitter, and visit www.ask-ali.com to ask him a question.

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