Considering move to Dubai
#16
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Hi all, thanks very much for the encouraging words. To clarify, yes I am male!
The thing that scares me most about the potential move is being lonely in a strange town. I am keen to avoid the picture of a sad middle-aged man alone in a bar nursing his glass of beer, if at all possible!
I came out to look at a job in Abu Dhabi in November, that one didn't work out. TBH I didn't really take to AD, it seemed a little dull, but having said that I only spent four days there. All I saw of Dubai was from the taxi to the airport, to & fro.
The thing that scares me most about the potential move is being lonely in a strange town. I am keen to avoid the picture of a sad middle-aged man alone in a bar nursing his glass of beer, if at all possible!
I came out to look at a job in Abu Dhabi in November, that one didn't work out. TBH I didn't really take to AD, it seemed a little dull, but having said that I only spent four days there. All I saw of Dubai was from the taxi to the airport, to & fro.
There is much more to Dubai than bars and high rise apartments. You'll meet people through work and to start with you need to accept all invitations so that you get to meet people. Don't expect to want to be friends with them all but you have to start somewhere.
#17
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Oh course he is male. He's a doctor.
If it was female, the username would have been Old Nurse.
(that was just for you Meow)
If it was female, the username would have been Old Nurse.
(that was just for you Meow)
#18
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Hi all, thanks very much for the encouraging words. To clarify, yes I am male!
The thing that scares me most about the potential move is being lonely in a strange town. I am keen to avoid the picture of a sad middle-aged man alone in a bar nursing his glass of beer, if at all possible!
I came out to look at a job in Abu Dhabi in November, that one didn't work out. TBH I didn't really take to AD, it seemed a little dull, but having said that I only spent four days there. All I saw of Dubai was from the taxi to the airport, to & fro.
The thing that scares me most about the potential move is being lonely in a strange town. I am keen to avoid the picture of a sad middle-aged man alone in a bar nursing his glass of beer, if at all possible!
I came out to look at a job in Abu Dhabi in November, that one didn't work out. TBH I didn't really take to AD, it seemed a little dull, but having said that I only spent four days there. All I saw of Dubai was from the taxi to the airport, to & fro.
But... the good news Doc, is that there is also a lot of things to go here that do not involve drinking and will open up a good source of entertainment. There are big communities into camping, diving, sports, classic cars, bikes, hiking, movies, golf etc. That said, it can get a bit samey - I don't find Dubai any less (or more) boring than AD really if you are into activities rather than just eating and drinking.
I've lived here 8 years and can still probably count on two hands how many times I've been in a bar. I'm rarely bored.
#19
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 16
Re: Considering move to Dubai
I live in a lively part of a large city. I enjoy cooking, eating out, good company and a nice glass or three of red wine. I meet up each month with a group of male friends for poker & beers. I gather gambling is verboten, so that would leave just the beers. I like a good film, and enjoy a decent TV show. Recently watched S3 of The Bridge, Better Call Saul on Netflix, that sort of thing.
I also like driving sports cars, but from what I've read the driving in Dubai is a bit scary and I would aim to live close to work and just use public transport & taxis if that was feasible.
I'm not into bling/shopping.
I also like driving sports cars, but from what I've read the driving in Dubai is a bit scary and I would aim to live close to work and just use public transport & taxis if that was feasible.
I'm not into bling/shopping.
#20
Re: Considering move to Dubai
I live in a lively part of a large city. I enjoy cooking, eating out, good company and a nice glass or three of red wine. I meet up each month with a group of male friends for poker & beers. I gather gambling is verboten, so that would leave just the beers. I like a good film, and enjoy a decent TV show. Recently watched S3 of The Bridge, Better Call Saul on Netflix, that sort of thing.
I also like driving sports cars, but from what I've read the driving in Dubai is a bit scary and I would aim to live close to work and just use public transport & taxis if that was feasible.
I'm not into bling/shopping.
I also like driving sports cars, but from what I've read the driving in Dubai is a bit scary and I would aim to live close to work and just use public transport & taxis if that was feasible.
I'm not into bling/shopping.
#21
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 16
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Aha, a glimmer of hope!
With the weather out there, and warm seas, I might be tempted to try out SCUBA. And the dune buggie thing/karting. I also like travel, and Dubai is well-placed to hop to India & SE Asia.
With the weather out there, and warm seas, I might be tempted to try out SCUBA. And the dune buggie thing/karting. I also like travel, and Dubai is well-placed to hop to India & SE Asia.
#22
Re: Considering move to Dubai
I used to offroad / dune bash the car a lot, much much less so now but it's still a great community to get involved with. I know loads of guys of your demographic doing it.
#23
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: Considering move to Dubai
There are middle age professional women (and no I'm not talking about the you know whats). I can immediately think of two women in my company, senior roles, in their 50s, who are single and who also complain about meeting similar men in Dubai
The UAE can be a very active place and it's all about the efforts you put in. Dubai is certainly more lively than Abu Dhabi, much more so and based on what you described you'd probably enjoy living in the Marina or Downtown with a lot of hustle and bustle right on your doorsteps. But there are also quieter and pleasant communities just a few minutes away. It will take time to meet people as that rarely happens overnight but join a few cycling, trekking, camping or sports groups and you'll meet people easily enough.
And you're right about travels. You should be able to negotiate 5-6 weeks of holiday each year and we're only 7-8 hours from most of SE Asia, not to mention Africa.
As for poker, there's another expat forum that you can easily find via googling and there's a poster on it who runs an active poker group. His stakes are a bit high for me but it's a good group.
The UAE can be a very active place and it's all about the efforts you put in. Dubai is certainly more lively than Abu Dhabi, much more so and based on what you described you'd probably enjoy living in the Marina or Downtown with a lot of hustle and bustle right on your doorsteps. But there are also quieter and pleasant communities just a few minutes away. It will take time to meet people as that rarely happens overnight but join a few cycling, trekking, camping or sports groups and you'll meet people easily enough.
And you're right about travels. You should be able to negotiate 5-6 weeks of holiday each year and we're only 7-8 hours from most of SE Asia, not to mention Africa.
As for poker, there's another expat forum that you can easily find via googling and there's a poster on it who runs an active poker group. His stakes are a bit high for me but it's a good group.
#25
Re: Considering move to Dubai
I've seen poker sets for sale here in the last few years. Times are changing. Well, a little, for some things.
#27
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Well you do look a bit shifty. Or were you wearing a headscarf and hooped earrings at the time?
Look out for a store called ZOO. Owned by an Emirati and often stocks poker sets. Playing cards are freely available here now and that never used to be the case.
#28
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 16
Re: Considering move to Dubai
There are middle age professional women (and no I'm not talking about the you know whats). I can immediately think of two women in my company, senior roles, in their 50s, who are single and who also complain about meeting similar men in Dubai
The UAE can be a very active place and it's all about the efforts you put in. Dubai is certainly more lively than Abu Dhabi, much more so and based on what you described you'd probably enjoy living in the Marina or Downtown with a lot of hustle and bustle right on your doorsteps. But there are also quieter and pleasant communities just a few minutes away. It will take time to meet people as that rarely happens overnight but join a few cycling, trekking, camping or sports groups and you'll meet people easily enough.
And you're right about travels. You should be able to negotiate 5-6 weeks of holiday each year and we're only 7-8 hours from most of SE Asia, not to mention Africa.
As for poker, there's another expat forum that you can easily find via googling and there's a poster on it who runs an active poker group. His stakes are a bit high for me but it's a good group.
The UAE can be a very active place and it's all about the efforts you put in. Dubai is certainly more lively than Abu Dhabi, much more so and based on what you described you'd probably enjoy living in the Marina or Downtown with a lot of hustle and bustle right on your doorsteps. But there are also quieter and pleasant communities just a few minutes away. It will take time to meet people as that rarely happens overnight but join a few cycling, trekking, camping or sports groups and you'll meet people easily enough.
And you're right about travels. You should be able to negotiate 5-6 weeks of holiday each year and we're only 7-8 hours from most of SE Asia, not to mention Africa.
As for poker, there's another expat forum that you can easily find via googling and there's a poster on it who runs an active poker group. His stakes are a bit high for me but it's a good group.
This may sound like a silly question given what seems to me like a fabulous salary, but I guess I'll have to put some money into a freestanding UK pension, as I'll come out of the NHS Superann scheme. [One for "Meow"]
Can someone also please give an estimate of monthly outgoings? I've seen what seem like suitable flats for AED80-100k pa. What about transport, food (I cook), and utilities? Would be great to get an estimate from people who actually live there. I guess you've been asked this a million times.
Also, can you live without a car?
#29
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Travel - yep. Since living here we've 'done' Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines and KL most recently. Ticking off a list of places we wouldn't have been able to afford or even really considered is a wonderfully pleasant feeling.
Can someone also please give an estimate of monthly outgoings? I've seen what seem like suitable flats for AED80-100k pa. What about transport, food (I cook), and utilities? Would be great to get an estimate from people who actually live there. I guess you've been asked this a million times.
Also, can you live without a car?
I pay 100 in Business Bay.
Home location is sort of dependent on work location, no point sitting in traffic every night. Where would you be based for work?
One bed apartment - keep in mind there is two of us;
DEWA (Water and Leccy + Housing Fee [council tax]) = 600 ish per month
Empower (District Cooling - Air Con) = minimal at moment but average 500 per month over the year.
Du (Basic TV + Footie Channels + Fast Internet) = 537
You can easily live without a car, I have friends leaving after 4 years this week who have never had one. That being said, I wouldn't want to NOT have a car. Lots of cool stuff (quiet beach for example) is much easier to get to/from in a car than a cab. The metro is near enough pointless. Cabs are cheap and readily available but pot luck if you get a lunatic or a sensible driver.
#30
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,520
Re: Considering move to Dubai
Rents are a tricky thing.
You can definitely get a decent one-bedroom in the Marina for between 80-100K. The question is will it be up to your standards? It won't be falling down or terrible but quite basic. Many people find it worthwhile to upgrade to the "nicer" buildings, usually Emaar ones, for 100-120K and that's for a one bedroom.
I find a good value tower in the Marina for rents versus quality is Zumurud Tower. You can get a one-bed for around 85-90K.
You'll also find that Dubai flats in the popular areas tend to be quite small so spending the extra for a 2-bed flat might be worth it for you, especially if you have family come and visit frequently. And it'd feel a bit more grown up. Your income is quite generous and you should be able to easily afford a 2-bedroom flat. On the other hand, there's sense to being frugal in your first year and going for a one-bedroom while you sniff out the land.
You can definitely get a decent one-bedroom in the Marina for between 80-100K. The question is will it be up to your standards? It won't be falling down or terrible but quite basic. Many people find it worthwhile to upgrade to the "nicer" buildings, usually Emaar ones, for 100-120K and that's for a one bedroom.
I find a good value tower in the Marina for rents versus quality is Zumurud Tower. You can get a one-bed for around 85-90K.
You'll also find that Dubai flats in the popular areas tend to be quite small so spending the extra for a 2-bed flat might be worth it for you, especially if you have family come and visit frequently. And it'd feel a bit more grown up. Your income is quite generous and you should be able to easily afford a 2-bedroom flat. On the other hand, there's sense to being frugal in your first year and going for a one-bedroom while you sniff out the land.
Great, well this all sounds very encouraging.
This may sound like a silly question given what seems to me like a fabulous salary, but I guess I'll have to put some money into a freestanding UK pension, as I'll come out of the NHS Superann scheme. [One for "Meow"]
Can someone also please give an estimate of monthly outgoings? I've seen what seem like suitable flats for AED80-100k pa. What about transport, food (I cook), and utilities? Would be great to get an estimate from people who actually live there. I guess you've been asked this a million times.
Also, can you live without a car?
This may sound like a silly question given what seems to me like a fabulous salary, but I guess I'll have to put some money into a freestanding UK pension, as I'll come out of the NHS Superann scheme. [One for "Meow"]
Can someone also please give an estimate of monthly outgoings? I've seen what seem like suitable flats for AED80-100k pa. What about transport, food (I cook), and utilities? Would be great to get an estimate from people who actually live there. I guess you've been asked this a million times.
Also, can you live without a car?