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Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:07 pm
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Question Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Hi All

Just found this forum which seems very helpful and alive compared with others.

I have been offered a position in Abu Dhabi which I am due to take up end of August. Since accepting the offer we have found that costs of living particularly relating to accommodation are significantly higher in AD than in Dubai.
Accommodation is also a nightmare to find with none of the new type apartments like those readily available in Dubai being affordable. ie we understand that in Dubai Marina a very decent 1000sq.ft apartment with pool use and close to the beach circa AED160,000

How bad is Abu Dhabi. The accommodation being the major concern.

There is only the two of us no children. The salary package including everything, car utilities accommodation etc is circa AED 680,000/Annum with an accommodation allowance of AED170,000 Included in the AED 680k. Is this sufficient for a good place to live, good life style and to save .

Would really appreciate some advice as we are getting very concerned now.

Many thanks
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:21 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

that works out at 56,000 dhs per calendar month? if you can't manage on that then there must be something seriously wrong. I think your biggest problem will be finding accomodation though.
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:38 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Thanks Blue Cat

We realise that its a good package on the surface, but if as we understand a decent apartment, pool parking etc is around AED 300,000 puts a different slant on it. We are also doing this trip to hopefully save quite a few pennies.

Just what is available in AD.

Any advice re shipping companies, and is it worth shipping our furniture etc
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:42 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

300,000 I don't think they are that much!! but I am not in AD, one of the other AD members will put you right I am sure.
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:54 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Originally Posted by Blue Cat
that works out at 56,000 dhs per calendar month? if you can't manage on that then there must be something seriously wrong. I think your biggest problem will be finding accomodation though.
Thats loads compared to some people i know!????
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 3:56 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

I have a three bed apartment with garden, access to a gym and pool, as well as parking,

Was 240,000dhs 3 months ago.

The main problem is actually finding somewhere, there just aren't many properties empty. Those that are company lets are normally left empty rather than released onto the market, this stifles supply.
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 5:26 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

It's just difficult to find a place in AD now and I can't see it getting better within the next few months - anything decent which comes on the market is snapped up by the larger companies for their new employees who seem to be moving in every day. You may get something off the Island though. I would expect to pay about Dhs. 260,000 for a 3 bed apartment on the island in a good location and Dhs. 300,00 for a town house in Al Raha Gardens which is off the Island and about a 35 min drive into the centre of AD. Accomodation in AD has always been more expensive than Dubai and the standard of accomodation is not usually as good as Dubai although it has recently improved.
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 6:18 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Originally Posted by Brits in Abu Dhabi
Thanks Blue Cat

We realise that its a good package on the surface, but if as we understand a decent apartment, pool parking etc is around AED 300,000 puts a different slant on it. We are also doing this trip to hopefully save quite a few pennies.

Just what is available in AD.

Any advice re shipping companies, and is it worth shipping our furniture etc
This is an accurate estimate - and going up every month. A friend of mine arrived in June and this is what she paid for a 3 bed downtown, gym and roof top spash pool - no parking (extra 20K). It is all that she could find too! The main problem though is not cost but availability. Your best bet is off island or a long and patient search. Good luck!
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Old Aug 10th 2008, 6:50 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

you will need in the region of more than 250 k for a small apartment in ad town. if you want to go off island then you will still be looking for more than that because the houses are bigger so therefore they are in the region of min 300k. i would stay in dubai!
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Old Aug 11th 2008, 5:24 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

If you allocate 300kAED for a decent place to live that should be fine (once you finally find somewhere) and that still leaves you about 55kGBP tax free per year which I would have thought is heaps for a couple with no kids. Accommodation is the only thing that's really expensive here - I reckon you'll save loads (depending on whether you're big spenders or not of course).
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Old Aug 13th 2008, 6:11 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

my partner has started work in AD though we still have our apartment in Dubai, he stays over in serviced apartments 2/3 nights a week and commutes the rest of the time. Good accomdation is a major issue in AD and agree with the comments the general standards of accomdation in Dubai seem to be of a better quality than in AD on the whole. good luck.
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Old Aug 13th 2008, 6:54 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Originally Posted by Foxes
my partner has started work in AD though we still have our apartment in Dubai, he stays over in serviced apartments 2/3 nights a week and commutes the rest of the time. Good accomdation is a major issue in AD and agree with the comments the general standards of accomdation in Dubai seem to be of a better quality than in AD on the whole. good luck.
Surely it’s not viable to live in Dubai and commute to Abu Dhabi or is it?
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Old Aug 13th 2008, 7:13 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

depends on how you can hande the commute...5 days a week would be too much for him but the infrequent commute is so far ok...

dubai marina to central AD is approx 1hr 30m peak time - possibly shorter if you know what you can get away on the roads speedwise. He daren't travel above 120km but apparently you can go upto 140km and even 160km on some parts of the highway - but there apprently has been changes to road fine systems so he is happy doing 120kmph.
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Old Aug 13th 2008, 10:06 pm
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

my hubs did the commute for a long while back in the old days with the horrible road, and it was 3 hours each way he still has to do dubai in the morn and ab dabs in the afternoon sometimes, so he does sit in the car quite a bit, and its very boring, hence the 'need' to buy a mustang, as it 'takes' you there 'quicker'. yes some parts of the road is 160 which helps otherwise its a long and very boring road and not very advisable to commute on it too often. the 160 is on the ad section from channel st/al ain/al mafraq road to the border even though the signs were never changed. i would recommend it every day if you can help it.
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Old Aug 14th 2008, 3:08 am
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Default Re: Abu Dhabi -Job Offer

Originally Posted by busybee2
my hubs did the commute for a long while back in the old days with the horrible road, and it was 3 hours each way he still has to do dubai in the morn and ab dabs in the afternoon sometimes, so he does sit in the car quite a bit, and its very boring, hence the 'need' to buy a mustang, as it 'takes' you there 'quicker'. yes some parts of the road is 160 which helps otherwise its a long and very boring road and not very advisable to commute on it too often. the 160 is on the ad section from channel st/al ain/al mafraq road to the border even though the signs were never changed. i would recommend it every day if you can help it.
ahhh the old days
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