scratchingitch

Thanks busy bee... good point. need to wrap this up before April!

scratchingitch

Hmmm weird, there was no mention of any EOS in the provisional contract they sent me. Basically the package I have been offered amounts to around £120k, which includes all benefits and allowances (such as housing, gratuities etc etc) which is a bit less than my current base salary. I was originally under the impression that the benefits would be on top of a base salary that was roughly similar to what I am on now.

Do you think that AED200k for housing allowance is enough for Abu Dhabi. Done a bit searching around and seems it probably is - what do you guys think? I will be coming with my wife - no kids.

Bahtatboy

200k in AD will get you something nice, not palatial but fine for two.

soukie

Not sure why you are considering a move then! AD is a very expensive place to live so you will be worse off.

al dente

aargh my eyes!! What were you saying?

soukie

sorry wrong colour to highlight!

scratchingitch

Because it's tax free. But I agree with the broad thrust of your point and I don't think it's enough. As things stand I wont be going. I'm just trying to get a sense of what is a typical sort of offer, so i can get a sense of whether im being low-balled. Any recent experience you can share?

al dente

I'm flummoxed by those in the financial industry here having less disposable on offers like this, (equal). When we moved here, the salary seemed to equal what my husband was being paid at home. However, in reality, even though the bonuses are of a lesser amount, he is still absolutely quids in because of being tax free, and the hidden benefits of the package (renting out our properties back home, airmiles, mission money, committee money, 0%car loan, dentistry, school books). That's notwithstanding the cheap and flexible childcare here that has allowed me to go back to work despite my two youngest children being under 2.

We went from breaking even (new baby, 1 salary instead of 2, new house) to saving 50% of the basic a year. And the hidden benefit to our relationship of being able to go out for the night, play tennis etc at the drop of a hat.

Education would be my sticking point, but only at secondary, and then there is boarding school (culturally something I'm happy with) if my children appear to be bright enough. Or we leave.

Millhouse

Can you give the numbers per month, broken down by allowance, in Dirhams?

The EOS isn't in your contract as it's a legal requirement. A bit like how employer NI contributions in the UK are not in your contract.

Millhouse

That is a very good post.

mentalist

"LONDON: At the moment, my husband earns OVER 150K per annum including bonus (he got offered 220K a year ago by another company in London, but we rejected that offer), though with really long working hours; I earn over 40K with good holiday and benefits. We have two children, my older one will go to middle school soon, but he has high chance of getting into one of the best grammer schools in london, so basically education is free in london. we could have very decent life here, even if we decide to send our children to private school..."

...so why on earth would you even consider that AD package? The grass is not always greener on the other side, especially over here. Stay put!

al dente

I disagree, her husband' current wage is 91k, it would be 100k here before bonus, which even at 25k would be tidy, and all the other income streams i mentioned up thread.

Anyway, no matter as OP never came back. Wonder if they are now in AD.....

busybee2

150 is good for a villa in abu at the moment.

busybee2

yes your salary is not taxed but there are alot of hidden costs.

scratchingitch

If was on my own then it would make more sense. But because (for various reasons) my wife would not be working in AD, it doesn't. I was under the impression that the zero income tax plus expat benefits might make up for a large majority of my wife's loss of earnings but unfortunately it doesn't really come close. And I found that surprising. clearly I had too high expectations. On my own, there is an increase in my disposable income, but it ain't really anything to write home about.