Brian Jones

Hello guys,

I m in the process of negotiating for an interesting first opportunity in Dubai. The Office is 2 minutes from the World Trade Centre in Deira. Which places would you recommend to live for a person on a salary of roughly 20, 000 somewhere near the office. I am planning to drive therefore, have the flexibility.

I am planning to live in a 1 or 2 bedroom flat (obviously expecting loads of random family visitors)

Your intellect & insight will be appreciated

NorthernLad

It's going to depend on your standards with regards to accommodation, and what lifestyle you're looking for.

Check Dubizzle for accommodation...I'd be inclined to forget about a car and use the metro/taxis (parking could also be an issue).

DXBtoDOH

There is no WTC in Deira.

The only WTC is on Sheikh Zayed Road near DIFC.

20K a month means you will have to compromise on something. The cheapest 1-bed anywhere along Sheikh Zayed from Bur Dubai out to the Marina is 70-75K and add another 10-15% on top of that for annual housing expenses such as utilities and internet. But there real challenge for people on low incomes is that rents are still payable in 1-4 cheques and you, not the landlord, pays the 5% agent's fee, and there's another 5% deposit plus multiple deposits for the internet and utilities. It adds up much more quickly than you can imagine. Then you need to kit out the place.

You an find a cheaper 1-bed out in Silicon Oasis or Sports City but you must need a car. No ifs and buts.

You'll be ok but you will need to stick to a budget and be pragmatic about where you live. I'd try to avoid owning a car as that's a big expenditure and find a place along the metro line in JLT or even one of the Marina Diamonds and take the metro to work.

May I suggest that you look at a temporary flatshare for your first six months or so before finding your own place? Flatshares usually pay monthly and it'll allow you to explore Dubai and decide on the best locations for you without committing too early into an expensive lease.

mission

you'll spend half if not more, just on accommodation.

mission

yep me too....I took 2 bed aprts for the first 3 years while being out here...complete waste of money.


If you seek a large enough 1 bed aprt, you can always find space to put up people....although, granted, not for too long.

Millhouse

I have a two bed - don't think all my stuff would fit in a one bed... they are like rabbit hutches.

Where do you dry the clothes etc in a one bed?

Inselaffen

on the balcony!

Brian Jones

thank you all, for your input. Didn't realize that 20, 000 AED was a low salary. Maybe I need to even ask for more. I am on £50, 000 pa here in UK. How much should I ask for for the move to make sense ?

I am now inclined to look in either JLT, Greens or Bur Dubai or Even Motor City

thanx guys

flood2

Looks like you are taking a pay cut.

I would not move for less than 50k AED a month if i was on 50K in the UK. It is an expensive place to live out here...

al dente

Or use 20k as your base salary and make sure that provision for accom, flights. medical and school is added on top ( you may be here longer than you think!). As other seem to think 120k is the basic amount needed (to cover a 80 - 100k flat) I'd start with that.

scrubbedexpat141

On the second balcony.

mission

MILL you'd be surprised as to how big you can get 1 bed aprts - my current aprt one is almost 1600 sq ft - including a decent size balcony. I can easily sleep 3-4 people in my living room alone, without them being on top of one another, and can easily fit another handful on the balcony if needed

Millhouse

I'm still waiting for my sleep over invite.

mission

The balcony awaits your presence

scrubbedexpat141

I'd invite you but I'm only 25 floors up and it won't be enough stairs for you to climb.