ukmouse

Hello

Myself and the other half really need to get our act together regarding getting out to Dubai for a reccie. I was wondering if folks have any advice on this please?
I have seen that we could rent a short term lease apartment for just over
£1k for the month (well... a few hundred over but under £2k). Certainly a lot less than staying in an hotel anyway.

Would anyone advise this as the best way to check out the place and take the time registering with some agencies etc or would this plan be a waste of money?

Any advice would be welcome... I was also wondering whether there was a 'best time' to do it (between now and Christmas anyway).

Thanks for your help.

Millhouse

What industry do you work in, or plan to work in?

What are your salary expectations?

Do you have a family?

I'm not sure if anyone has told you this but Dubai is in the middle of a rather deep recession. Now isn't a great time to be considering moving here unless you are in an industry that remains in high demand (think education and medical) or are able to move on at very short notice. Remember to, if you are not here at least a tax year any income you got here would be taxable in the UK - so you need to be sure of at least 1 years employment.

If you are looking for a job in real estate, construction or financial services then forget it. You will be wasting your time and money.

As for agencies, they are a complete joke here - bigger bunch of cowboys and liars that you would even get in the UK.

And living here a month...be prepared to burn through 1.5-2k in spending money (excluding your rent) - it's not a cheap place to live.

In terms of timing - november is (in my opinion) the best month for weather, but you should really come in Sept (during the summer and ramadan) so you know how bad things can be.

But good luck... it's a great place to live and if you are willing to take the risks and do the investment you will have a good time. However, contrary to what Mr Morgan says, the buildings are gold plated not the wallets of those that work in them. I would try and find a job from the UK (not easy but not impossible by any means)

Hello.Kitty

I second all of the above, but more to the point, yes, go for a serviced apartment for your reccie (whenever you plan that for) - we did it for our 3 week jaunt and it worked well in terms of giving us a good impression of what life would be like. However, Mr Kitty already had a job secured.

You'll have to factor in hiring a car (say 2500AED), say 500-1000 AED/week for food shopping and then you can easily blow 500AED on a decent meal - which lets face it, would be a shame to miss out on... these are over-estimates, but not by much.

You'll also need a decent amount of cash in your wallets at any given time for taxis, odds and ends and emergencies - I feel a bit "bare" if I haven't got 500AED in my purse... a far reach from the fiver I carry while in the UK!

ukmouse

Hello and thank you for the replies.

Its just the two of us - no children nor any planned. We are married and can move out pretty quickly if the opportunity arose.

I work in recruitment ( - although am not a cowboy or liar... its the employers that rip us off over here ) and actually have my own small business set up in the UK. I did wonder about trying to set up in Dubai but imagine it would be too pricey so haven't looked into that.
I am not sure if I would particularly want to stay in recruitment and had been thinking about real estate as a sideways move. I also have hotel experience at manager level. Unfortunately I dont have the specific hospitality degree that so many ask for.

My husband is a graphic designer and specialises in fashion and apparel etc. but has also worked in rebranding etc etc etc. He's a whizz at that but I dont think either of us are in demand in Dubai at the moment - but neither are we, or many other people for that matter, in demand in the UK.

Perhaps there's an opportunity for a GOOD agency in Dubai!!!!!

I think we need to think the reccie through.. and Kitty, perhaps get the job BEFORE we reccie as your hubbie did.

I would imagine it is nigh on impossible for us to get work out there at the moment.. even though we are both highly skilled in what we do.

We shall remain positive though...

Thanks once again...

Millhouse

Recruitment, real estate, hotels and graphic design. You honestly couldn't choose a worse set of professions for Dubai at the moment.

I'm not meaning to piss on the proverbial fireworks. Just tread carefully is all I'm saying.

My reccie was 3 days in a 5* hotel and first class flights (paid for by my company) - couldn't have been further from the truth ... having said that I'd been in and out of the place with work and in particular my currrent employer for ages so went in eyes (pretty much) wide open. I'm not sure 3 weeks in a serviced apartment would really prepare you either.

ukmouse

Pee away!!! Better to have honesty than be misled...

I know its a heck of a long shot... but where there's a will there's a way. I have seen some sales jobs I can apply for and have sent my CV to some companies. I dont suppose for one moment it will be easy.... but we're trying.

Thanks for all your advice...

Millhouse

I wish you all the best and I really do hope you make it here. Although testing at times it's a good place to live.

In fairness it's probably not as bad as I make out, but it's always best to come with low expectations!

ukmouse

Thanks Millhouse.... I think you're right regarding expectations.
We know someone who owns a large company in Dubai and I'm going to be speaking to one of his employees to get the gen on living and working in Dubai.

We are also looking at other countries too (simply because we just want to shake the UK dust off our feet) but Dubai is No #1 on the list for us.

I suppose, as I have read from others, we just need the opportunity and probably a bit of luck to make a new start. We'll keep at it. Thanks for your help...

Millhouse

Can I ask why Dubai? Abu Dhabi is a nice place too and may offer you more.

Blue Cat

good luck, you are going to need it and alot of cash

Hello.Kitty

... that's what 3 weeks in a serviced apartment gains you!