Nextgig

Hi, i'm wondering if those of you in the UAE would be kind enough to review this job offer for me. I've been offered the following package.

39,500 per month salary
1 flight home per year
Medical
Life insurance
Discretionary bonus

Important thing to note is there is no housing or car allowance. The company is based in Mohammed bin Zayed city, so i'm assuming that i'll definitely need a car. I want to live within commutable distance of the office, so not driving more than an hour (i think this takes living in Dubai out of the equation). I will be there with my wife, who initially will not be working, so would want to live somewhere where she will be able to do things during the day. How much will housing/car costs eat into my salary? From reviewing this forum, it seems those are the 2 biggest costs to consider. Anybody commute into MBZ city? Experiences?

flares

fine if you have no dustbin lids

Nextgig

Sorry, I don't quite follow...dustbin lids?

Nextgig

Just got it. No, no kids.

busybee2

have a look at arabia apartments, its the hotel part of mazayad mall in mbz. all the houses in mbz will be large. nobody really commutes into mbz, there isnt much there, a few schools, statistics place etc, eida other than that housing estate etc.

TopNik

Yes I agree with saudiflares, you should be ok on that salary.

Good luck!

Fossildog

Mayzad Mall is dreadful. Very few Westerners, last time I was there felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.

MBZ is pretty downmarket and is very quiet in terms of things to do. I would be tempted to live in Abu Dhabi and commute out each day (40 minutes each way). Far more for your wife to do than in MBZ. For 120k you will get a really decent apartment in Khalidiya/Al Hosn area. Lots of expats, lots of things for your wife to do.

Nextgig

Do you mean there are only Emiratis in Mayzad Mall? Or other foreigners?

Would 120k get me a 2 bed apartment in Abu Dhabi city centre? And would the journey time be 40 mins in rush hour too?

scot47

OMG !! Foreigners!!! How AWFUL !

Fossildog

Ha well I do not mean that of course, we all know all foreigners are fantastic people.

All I meant was that my wife was stared at a lot more that I was comfortable with last time I was there. So much so in fact that she asked me to leave, first time that has ever happened in my 10 years on and off out here. So if I was the original poster and wanted somewhere where my wife could be happy during the day then MBZ or Mayzad Mall would be way down the list.

Yes 120k will get you a two bedroom in the centre. Have a look on dubizzle or propertyfinder.ae to get an idea of prices. Would. Be 40 minutes in rush hour, maybe less if you were in the Khalidiyah end of town.

busybee2

very few westerners, rubbish. the majority would be indian, and locals and then a few european. i used to go there a lot but since they have got the road works in all the approaches to mbz i do not go there now, but will do when they have finished and put the road back!!!

busybee2

it doesnt have a force field that doesnt allow foreigners in....!!!

Fossildog

So majority Indian, some local then some Europeans? Sounds like very few Westerners to me. It is a local mall and a totally different atmosphere to say Marina or Al Wahdah mall.

scrubbedexpat141

I know, peasants everywhere.

Eurgh.

Fossildog

You seem to see racism wherever you go based on your other posts.

Have you considered the problem may be with you?