Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Hi,

I am new to the forum but thought this was the best place to start gathering information, from people already living and working in the Middle East.

My boyfriend and I are contemplating a move to the Middle East. My boyfriend is a qualified secondary school teacher in Art and has recently applied for jobs in this field in Qatar, Sharjah and Kuwait. Myself, I work as an Export Sales Executive for an international steel manufacturer and can speak French and Spanish.

There is a very good possibility that my boyfriend will be successful in one of those posts due to his experience and skills but I am concerned as to what jobs I can do out there. My background is obviously in sales in the Oil and Gas sector, so I thought this could be one option. Similarly, I have some experience in Teaching, although I have no formal qualifications so was considering a Teaching Assistant post. I would be extremely grateful if anyone could recommend some good recruitment/job agencies online that I could contact for both types of jobs.

Furthermore, I am concerned that we are not married and have heard stories about it being illegal for couples to live together. Is this the case?

Any advice on the above would be gratefully received!


Thanks,


Sarah.

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Hi and welcome to the bored sarahlou1980 (guessing you're 32...).

In reverse order, yes it is illegal but many people do it.

Oil and gas sector sales, I'm not in that market but I'd have thought that applying to Qatar Gas would be a good start.

Qatar, Sharjah, Kuwait. That's the right order, Doha is better than Sharjah (although Dubai is just down the road), have you ever been to Kuwait? I wouldn't fancy living there.

Good luck.

K

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Use the search function on the website , there's loads of threads on everything you need to know .

Good luck

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Not necessarily. My basic salary + living allowance is about the same as my last salary in UK (5 years ago), but I'm far better off financially, mainly because the salary is tax and NI free (obviously), and so is the bonus (which I was paying 40% tax on in the UK), and because my company gives me a housing allowance which exceeds my rent and they provide a car, good medical, flights and a pension.

My living costs (food and entertainment) are more expensive here than they would be in the UK, but the extra is tiny in comparison to my increased take-home salary.

And, regardless of the financial aspects, "its worth to work in any Gulf country" only if you're of the right disposition--otherwise it will send you mad.

Edit: Actually my basic salary + living allowance (which is separate from my housing allowance) is slighly less than my last UK salary, yet my take-home pay (including like-for-like bonus) is 67% higher.

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

There are many aspects of living in Middle Eastern countries which are common to all (ie they are primarily run on Muslim principles) but there are varying degrees of freedom in each. Dubai is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Saudi for example.

It would depend what your viewpoint and expecations are of your job. What are the most important things to you e.g. between salary and benefits, cost of living, availability of western products, attitude of locals towards foreigners, relaxed attitude to Western behaviours (eg drinking, physical contact, dress code etc), amount of red tape/how easy it is to wprk through.

Once you have decided what your parameters are, it will be easier to advise which might be the best for you.

Other than Egypt (Middle East?) with regard to your partner, you would both have to get jobs and sponsorship in your own right and could not generally apply as a 'package'

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

I will be amazed if many people come here on a lot more than they earn in the UK, Gross. Those days are long gone. So long as your Net earnings in more thats the only important factor.

ame here

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Agreed - althought the cost of living out here in Abu Dhabi is a lot higher!

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Aside from housing and broadband costs I find AD the same or slightly cheaper than the UK.

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

broadband and tv is a killer. I do find rent slightly dearer too (I have to pay my own!!)

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

I pay my own rent too. I should have negotiated harder before I came out! you live and learn though.

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Threads a couple of months old....and the OP hasn't posted back once since starting the thread....

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Eh?

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

+1 Interpreter please? lol

Re: Some advice on Living and Working in the Middle East
 

Couldn't agree more....I think.