Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

Im moving to Abu Dhabi with my girlfriend next month to work. We are in our late twenties and looking at a 2 year stint. Our packages are 30K and 23K Dirhams a month. What sort of lifestyle will this afford us when we are out there? We hope to save some money, but at the same time enjoy our time there, will this be possible?

Should have asked this question before but hey grateful for any feedback. :thumbsup:

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

marty...welcome...do a search, packages have been discussed to death on here and you'll get some useful info. Accomodation is the biggest expense...are you sorted on that...?

MM, xx

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

Obviously until you are legally married, you will have to live in separate accommodation but you presumably knew that already.

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

thanks for the reply, yes we get put up in my companys villa in Al Raha Gardens Khalifa City for the first 3 months, then we have to look for a place to rent. We would hope for say a 2 bed as close to the sea as we can afford, easier said than done??

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

yeah i did know that, so how do I get round it? :eek:

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

I don't think you could possibly survive and would forget all about going if I was you.


(Have to do something to put people off or there won't be any apartments left for me when I get out there)

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

so accommodation is really that bad?!!

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

Errrrr.........yes!!


You'd be much better off moving to somewhere like.....ermmm....Watford!

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

nice try!

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

read the fine print in Benzonar's post.......;)

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

its ok Indie just a bit of sarcasm

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

Hello,
Are you in Construction-working on the Airport project?

Are you expected to pay your own utility bills from 55k?
You will really need to hit the ground running-get your Visa sorted
asap after landing so that you are in a position to contract a Lease
if you are fortunate enough to find a property you both like
Something near the 'sea'-kinda limits you to the Corniche.
Seashore Villas are 'shoreline' with a lovely panorama of the refinery.400,000
My advice to you would be- forget the Property Agents and their 5%,
Phone First Gulf Bank Real Estate Department every day asking what they have available.You will pay Commission to the Bank yes but they will not hike the rent up 20k every time you move another stage forward in the rental process.First Gulf are Landlords of a huge amount of property in AD the reserves of which do change on a daily basis.Also,get out and visit the Watchmen in towers& compounds-they know what's available if you ask them nicely.I think you will be looking at upwards of 160k for any decent 2 bed on island.If you like Al Raha Gardens-get onto Mohamed at Aldar immediately and try and rent from him- villas at 230k were 185 in Novemeber...........

PS. I don't work for First Gulf.

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

You will need to be a little careful coming as an unmarried couple. The police theoretically can come knocking on your door anytime although it's not likely they will unless someone makes trouble for you. I wouldn't upset the neighbours if you are living in a block with mixed nationalities. Best pass yourselves off as married in conversation with neighbours! Potentially you may encounter some issues with joint names on tenancies or any legal paperwork if you are unmarried at the same address so you have to consider this issue.

Rents are rocketing up. Two bedroom apartments in city even downtown around 120,000 even more. Occasionally you can strike lucky if you know someone. If your income is 30 plus 23 and rent was already paid then not so bad. Utilities are a lot cheaper than UK.

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

For a combined 53K income tax free (settle down at the back.... I know there are "fees") in your 20's whether or not you have a package - you will have a good in fact - really - good time and save cash. Converting to UK including tax and the combined is over well 100K GBP per year no? If so - are you guys on 100K+ GBP?

Re: Abu Dhabi - Advice please
 

Thanks for the good advice guys. Yes we both work in construction, i will be working on the Yas island development. So really we shouldnt hang about in the first 3 months and start looking for somewhere. Autonomy you have a point when you look at it like that - we are only on £70K combined here (minus tax).

Hmm Gretna Green for a shotgun wedding might be on the cards!