MAQ82

Hi,

First of all apologies for creating a new thread on a topic that has been answered many times before, however I have gone through all of them and could not get all the details I wanted, so I am creating a new thread and I hope you can forgive me for that

To give you guys a bit of a background, I work for a top IT consulting firm here in the UK as a Senior Manager and earn around £85K a year. I have a wife (doesn't work these days) and a 18 month daughter and I support my parents as well, who visit from time to time. Active social life and keen cricketer and golfer. I don't save anything in the UK but live an OK life. Really tired of the weather and life here in UK and looking for a change and a new learning experience, both on personal and professional level.

Now, I have been offered a similar role in Dubai for a large international consulting firm. The package they are offering me is as follows:
-Basic: 28000 AED p/m
-Housing: 12000 AED p/m
-Bonus: Discretionary, based on performance
-Full Medical for Family
-30 Days holidays
-Life insurance
-Annual return fare for my family - economy class
-Education: 75% - once my daughter is 4

On top they are offering the following relocation benefits:
- One way economy fare for my family
- four weeks hotel accommodation
- $3000 relocation allowance

I want to lead an OK life in Dubai as well, nothing too extravagant.
- a three bedroom flat/house in a goodish area (I will work on Sheik Zayed road, when not travelling)
- a 4x4 jeep - (Range rover or Q7 - I like my cars)
- a full time maid/nanny for my daughter
- Don't drink much so no worries there but would like to continue cricket and golf socially
- eating out once a week or so.
- My parent may want to come live with us for 6 months a year.
- I also have some commitments in the UK for about £800 which I can get rid of yet

Now based on all this, I have the following questions:
1. Does this package and move make sense financially, given the life I want and also want to be able to save a little?
2. If it does make sense, what do you think will be the major expenses
3. Where should I look to live in a budget of Approx £150k pa. Areas I know are Umm Suqeim, Marina, JBR, Palm
4. What should I do for a car? rent or lease or buy brand new, and the associated cost for each option e.g. for a Audi Q7 or Range rover sport.

I will be really grateful to you guys if you can please provide your honest opinion and answers. I am really confused about this decision and need some help. Please let me know if I have missed any key bit of information.

Looking forward to your replies!!!

MAQ82

Hi,

First of all apologies for creating a new thread on a topic that has been answered many times before, however I have gone through all of them and could not get all the details I wanted, so I am creating a new thread and I hope you can forgive me for that

To give you guys a bit of a background, I work for a top IT consulting firm here in the UK as a Senior Manager and earn around £85K a year. I have a wife (doesn't work these days) and a 18 month daughter and I support my parents as well, who visit from time to time. Active social life and keen cricketer and golfer. I don't save anything in the UK but live an OK life. Really tired of the weather and life here in UK and looking for a change and a new learning experience, both on personal and professional level.

Now, I have been offered a similar role in Dubai for a large international consulting firm. The package they are offering me is as follows:
-Basic: 28000 AED p/m
-Housing: 12000 AED p/m
-Bonus: Discretionary, based on performance
-Full Medical for Family
-30 Days holidays
-Life insurance
-Annual return fare for my family - economy class
-Education: 75% - once my daughter is 4

On top they are offering the following relocation benefits:
- One way economy fare for my family
- four weeks hotel accommodation
- $3000 relocation allowance

I want to lead an OK life in Dubai as well, nothing too extravagant.
- a three bedroom flat/house in a goodish area (I will work on Sheik Zayed road, when not travelling)
- a 4x4 jeep - (Range rover or Q7 - I like my cars)
- a full time maid/nanny for my daughter
- Don't drink much so no worries there but would like to continue cricket and golf socially
- eating out once a week or so.
- My parent may want to come live with us for 6 months a year.
- I also have some commitments in the UK for about £800 which I can get rid of yet

Now based on all this, I have the following questions:
1. Does this package and move make sense financially, given the life I want and also want to be able to save a little?
2. If it does make sense, what do you think will be the major expenses
3. Where should I look to live in a budget of Approx £150k pa. Areas I know are Umm Suqeim, Marina, JBR, Palm
4. What should I do for a car? rent or lease or buy brand new, and the associated cost for each option e.g. for a Audi Q7 or Range rover sport.

I will be really grateful to you guys if you can please provide your honest opinion and answers. I am really confused about this decision and need some help. Please let me know if I have missed any key bit of information.

Looking forward to your replies!!!

OriginalSunshine

I'd push for 100% once your daughter turns 4.

Housing is on "ok" side, but a little cheap.

Basic appears low, considering the lifestyle you want to lead supporting potentially 5 adults (you two, housemaid, parents) and 1 child, but at the same time is ok (a bit low prob) for your experience/salary level in the UK.

Range Rover or Q7 would cost you a year's salary, so are you paying up front or getting a loan to pay that?

In all honesty, with the lifestyle you are describing, I'd say you need to earn double that basic to match your expectations.

OleJanx

Exactly. Q7 expectations on a Mondeo salary.

MAQ82

Wow, OK I guess then my expectations are way out of line!!!

40K AED is not going to get me much.

What should I be pushing for then? Not sure what a similar Senior Manager role will get in a top tier consultancy in Dubai. Looking at glassdoor the figure is thereabouts.

They offered me a package of £35K in the start and I said no. They then came back with £40K saying final offer!!!.

Regarding the car - I will be selling mine here in the UK and using that as a deposit and finance the rest. Is that better or am I better of renting or leasing?

britexpat76

Something does not add up. £40k is not AED28,000pm ?

Also they expect you to go from 85k a year to 40k??

MAQ82

Sorry wrong currency

I meant 35K AED to 40KAED

that's the total package basic + housing

britexpat76

So is the package AED 40,000 + AED 12,000 housing? As you have written it different above.

MAQ82

No - Total package = 40K AED (Basic (28K) + Housing (12K))

britexpat76

Thats a pay cut mate. You want to be 40 + housing to make the figures work. My mate is a senior IT consultant earning similar to you in the UK and he is getting double what they have offered you to be out here.

MAQ82

Really!!! Double the base.

But, I have heard this is a good package for a Big-4 senior manager in Dubai, unless the Big-4 in UAE pay really low.

So I guess no Range rover or Q7. I will have to suffice with a Camry or Accord at best.

britexpat76

His is 3 x your base but an all in deal. 28,000AED is £5k a month, you must nett somewhere close to that in the UK. Here you will have no pension, expensive schools (Even if you are paying 25%) and still have to send the £800 home.

They need to pay your UK salary tax free to make it worthwhile IMHO, thats about AED40,000 + School + housing

TopNik

Yes I agree.

Assuming your wife will not work still and the lifestyle you are after AED 40k per month is not enough.

Blue Cat

40K a month is not enough to live on? really? I reckon the majority of people on this board manage on a lot less.

OriginalSunshine

It's not enough to live on a salary to support 4 adults, 1-2 kids, 1 maid, house, pool, high end SUV, top school, pay off debts and have some savings left over. BE76 has it right - for that lifestyle you need around 40k basic plus housing and schooling on top.