co durham boy

7.6 at one point mate , heartbreaking !

mission

when i came out here in 2008 the exchange rate was fixed in my contract @ 7.33 - based on the current fx rate (4.77) my salary has been hiked up by almost 35%
the other western expats in my office are kicking themselves for not having their salary paid in AED

Inselaffen

we just had friends for Singapore asking us to recommend a nice beachfront family suitable hotel in Dubai for max $300 a night. Wasn't possible.

hnd

I said it on a previous thread - all the ninjas are here in KL ... and they're still here well after the end of Eid.

We've been here for nearly a month now, staying in a great serviced, one-bedroom apartment with separate lounge, kitchen and dining area (housekeeping every day except Sunday, sheets and towels changed minimum of twice a week, full concierge service, with a pool, gym, spa and residents' lounge on the 22nd floor overlooking KLCC) for roughly the equivalent of AED13,000 including taxes. Yes, you read correctly, that's the cost for a month!

While the number of ninjas has decreased since Eid finished there are still many, many of them here with their sprogs taking advantage of all the sales in the malls.

I'm beginning to wonder why we don't move here ...

Fossildog

For a family hotel apartments are pretty good and keep the cost down. Something like Roda Amwaj Suites| Luxury Serviced Apartments in Dubai which should be in the price range for a 2 bedrooom serviced apartment a few yards from Jumeriah Beach.

OriginalSunshine

They are taking the piss because that would only get you a holiday inn room, inland and about 10 minutes walk from a major shopping area, never mind beach, in Singapore

OriginalSunshine

Definitely cheaper in Malaysia than Middle East, but cheaper still if you don't stay in KL. (eg my 4 storey, 6 bedroom, semi-d is 5k Rm per month in East Malaysia). Gas is cheap, electricity is very expensive (1.3k/month but I like air con). Internet if you can get cable is brilliant. Jobs are hard to get though, as are employment visas (retirement visas require a large deposit but are 10 years - MM2H). A lot of locals are very well educated, hard working though a lot aren't. If you're coming here to work, there's a 21% income tax, import duties on goods are up to 35% plus 6% vat, and cars just make you want to cry. Haze when it comes is literally hazardous to health, though weather is much better than ME. Politics can be awkward and it's just best to be aware but stay away from all of that.
However, we go to Singapore for medical stuff. It's as expensive as the Middle East to stay (and on a ringgit salary!) but the care and quality and availability is a step above KL where cheap is king, even if it is lower quality. Though they have no import duty and tourists get most of the vat back, so we buy big items when we are there (though those that fit in baggage obviously, as we have to fly).

nottmbantam

Similar tale here. First came to KSA in 2008 and the exchange rate was over 7, but I was getting paid in UK Sterling straight into a UK Bank, so everything was dirt cheap.

THree years ago, I moved companies and now get paid in SR locally, the exchange rate has gradually fallen, and since Brexit, sending money back home feels like I've had a pay rise.

However, been out here too long now, time to go home soon.

nottmbantam

Pound Sterling taking another tumble. It's like another pay rise.

IKnowNothing

And now, they're trying to get the Riyals out the Kingdom

Abu Dhabi Customs stops multi-million smuggling plot

iggle

Saudi Arabia switches to ′Western′ calendar | News | DW.COM | 02.10.2016

Saudi switch from Hijri calendar to Gregorian calendar costs employees 11 days of pay a year

nottmbantam

Seems like the only for doing so was to save money, rather than to try and synchronise with the rest of the world. Does make life a bit easier, as all the 'official' documents are always in Hijri, which means constant converting to Gregorian.

iggle

How does it save money? For example you will still only work 365 days a year?

Millhouse

Interesting - is this on top of the 20% pay cut?

Millhouse

You now work 365 days a year, rather than 354