Areas to live (Dubai)
#16
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Location: Dubai, working at Dust World Central
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
With all due respect, a sure sign that what follows will be insulting LOL! I think things were way different back then with people fleeing the country (and debts). But if rents do drop by half then thats fantastic for those staying here'(which is not me).
#17
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
I'm back after many years away from getting out of the Saudi Sand Pit. I'm looking at a school in Dubai and the package I've been preliminarily given seems far too low.
I know of housing agonies from my time in Riyadh and only just managed to get on a compound thanks to a kind fellow forumer.
My golden figure is 260k Dir/yr inc housing allowance. I can either accept their allowance or have them house me in a 2-bed apartment. I don't know at the moment where their apartment is located. I am married with an 11-month-old daughter.I am definitely going to be asking for more in terms of basic everything as I know the stress it causes people when moving to the UAE. Unfortunately for them, I am acutely aware that my life is not worth living if I have the same experience in Dubai as I did in Saudi with my wife and baby in tow. I would like to know where the best areas are in Dubai to live to allow us to socialise with other expats. My wife seems to be fine with apartments closer to the sea, but there are also new developments further our. I have ruled out Mirdif based on what I've read so far and the traffic issues. Sahara Meadows is closer to the school, but seems to be surrounded by sand and probably doesn't have the facilities, social life I would like my family to have.
Any advice would be appreciated. BTW we have a dog who would be coming with.
I know of housing agonies from my time in Riyadh and only just managed to get on a compound thanks to a kind fellow forumer.
My golden figure is 260k Dir/yr inc housing allowance. I can either accept their allowance or have them house me in a 2-bed apartment. I don't know at the moment where their apartment is located. I am married with an 11-month-old daughter.I am definitely going to be asking for more in terms of basic everything as I know the stress it causes people when moving to the UAE. Unfortunately for them, I am acutely aware that my life is not worth living if I have the same experience in Dubai as I did in Saudi with my wife and baby in tow. I would like to know where the best areas are in Dubai to live to allow us to socialise with other expats. My wife seems to be fine with apartments closer to the sea, but there are also new developments further our. I have ruled out Mirdif based on what I've read so far and the traffic issues. Sahara Meadows is closer to the school, but seems to be surrounded by sand and probably doesn't have the facilities, social life I would like my family to have.
Any advice would be appreciated. BTW we have a dog who would be coming with.
But...if you're originally from Grotport, you can't moan about anywhere that you live. A box in a hole in a warzone is nicer, cleaner, safer and more pleasant than anything in the two-bob town.
#18
Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
It certainly is different now - last time was a banking crisis that caused a wider economic crash and a spike in commodity prices. There was wide government policy response possible at the time.
This time, we have commodity crisis as a result of a slowing economy which is quite likely to cause a banking crisis. There is little government policy response possible this time.
Low oil prices are never good for the Gulf. No matter how much sugar you coat the news with - the west will probably do alright out of this though.
#19
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
The western stock markets have been swingeing wildly but that only affects the hedge funds and the affluents. The average bloke on the street? Not so much. USA isn't slipping into a recession, nor is the UK, which is the sharp differential from the last crash. The low oil prices actually represents a major transfer of wealth from oil companies and the Gulf to your average bloke.
My guess is that we're in for a solid decade of low / lowish oil prices. The Gulf will struggle. USA will boom and the UK will tag along with USA.
My guess is that we're in for a solid decade of low / lowish oil prices. The Gulf will struggle. USA will boom and the UK will tag along with USA.
... it's always different back then. Same words are said when the bubble inflates.
It certainly is different now - last time was a banking crisis that caused a wider economic crash and a spike in commodity prices. There was wide government policy response possible at the time.
This time, we have commodity crisis as a result of a slowing economy which is quite likely to cause a banking crisis. There is little government policy response possible this time.
Low oil prices are never good for the Gulf. No matter how much sugar you coat the news with - the west will probably do alright out of this though.
It certainly is different now - last time was a banking crisis that caused a wider economic crash and a spike in commodity prices. There was wide government policy response possible at the time.
This time, we have commodity crisis as a result of a slowing economy which is quite likely to cause a banking crisis. There is little government policy response possible this time.
Low oil prices are never good for the Gulf. No matter how much sugar you coat the news with - the west will probably do alright out of this though.
#21
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Location: Dubai, working at Dust World Central
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
5 reasons why prices have not dropped (of course one is the Expo):
5 reasons why Dubai property prices aren't falling this time despite oil@$30 - Emirates 24|7
5 reasons why Dubai property prices aren't falling this time despite oil@$30 - Emirates 24|7
#22
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Joined: Sep 2011
Location: Gosport
Posts: 227
Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
There must be lots of people out there living on this level of income and having a good enough time of it? Is it just going to be a bust with AED14,000 per month to live off? Are we just going to have to live with the air-con switched off and no TV and have to walk to work? It basically covers our joint income in the UK and I'd be the only one working.
#23
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
There must be lots of people out there living on this level of income and having a good enough time of it? Is it just going to be a bust with AED14,000 per month to live off? Are we just going to have to live with the air-con switched off and no TV and have to walk to work? It basically covers our joint income in the UK and I'd be the only one working.
If so, it will be tight.
As a couple, our bills are 2,000 ish (DEWA, Empower for AC and Du TV).
Food shops are 3-600 per week. Let's say 2,000 a month as well.
Car used to cost me 1500 in repayment (but that's paid off now), hers was 1100 (paid off as well) + banking 5-1000 a month for maintenance.
So that totals; 2 + 2 + 1.5 + 1.1 + 1 = 7,600.
14,000 - 7,600 = 6,400
Do you get schooling provided free?
Do you get flights provided?
6,400 is then your spending money, for nice things, for essentials like clothes, for petrol, for takeaways, for new shoes, for new bedding, for anything that you might spend money on. It's also your savings pot.
I'd suggest if your nipper goes to school for nothing and your mrs can get a part time job paying 5-10k a month, you'll be in a half decent position. Not great, but livable for sure.
If you're careful and sensible you can do it on the 14k + Housing.
It just might limit the amount of cash you can save and therefore how decent the float is for when things go wrong or you want a holiday etc.
#24
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
14,000 once housing is provided / paid for? If so, it will be tight. As a couple, our bills are 2,000 ish (DEWA, Empower for AC and Du TV).Food shops are 3-600 per week. Let's say 2,000 a month as well.Car used to cost me 1500 in repayment (but that's paid off now), hers was 1100 (paid off as well) + banking 5-1000 a month for maintenance.So that totals; 2 + 2 + 1.5 + 1.1 + 1 = 7,600. 14,000 - 7,600 = 6,400 Do you get schooling provided free?Do you get flights provided? 6,400 is then your spending money, for nice things, for essentials like clothes, for petrol, for takeaways, for new shoes, for new bedding, for anything that you might spend money on. It's also your savings pot. I'd suggest if your nipper goes to school for nothing and your mrs can get a part time job paying 5-10k a month, you'll be in a half decent position. Not great, but livable for sure. If you're careful and sensible you can do it on the 14k + Housing. It just might limit the amount of cash you can save and therefore how decent the float is for when things go wrong or you want a holiday etc.
Our nipper is not 1 yet, so schooling isn't a consideration as yet. Having AED6000 to spend per month is far more than we have now in the UK. So it might sound low, but to us, it is high. We are running at break-even or even a loss each month due to childcare currently. We could not afford to have another child. We wouldn't be dining out every night, or buying expensive clothing (I still have 20 year-old T-Shirts). But we would have to pay off the mortgage in this country too whilst we were out there which would take off 3000 of that every month. We only get an annual flight on top of that.
Even with all of that, we'd still be better off than we are over in the UK with me being a teacher and the Mrs working in cancer treatment. That's the depressing part!
#25
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
It is AED14,000 after a AED90k housing allowance. 90k doesn't get you very much except a 2-bed apartment. I have a 3-bed house here in UK.
Our nipper is not 1 yet, so schooling isn't a consideration as yet. Having AED6000 to spend per month is far more than we have now in the UK. So it might sound low, but to us, it is high. We are running at break-even or even a loss each month due to childcare currently. We could not afford to have another child. We wouldn't be dining out every night, or buying expensive clothing (I still have 20 year-old T-Shirts). But we would have to pay off the mortgage in this country too whilst we were out there which would take off 3000 of that every month. We only get an annual flight on top of that.
Even with all of that, we'd still be better off than we are over in the UK with me being a teacher and the Mrs working in cancer treatment. That's the depressing part!
Our nipper is not 1 yet, so schooling isn't a consideration as yet. Having AED6000 to spend per month is far more than we have now in the UK. So it might sound low, but to us, it is high. We are running at break-even or even a loss each month due to childcare currently. We could not afford to have another child. We wouldn't be dining out every night, or buying expensive clothing (I still have 20 year-old T-Shirts). But we would have to pay off the mortgage in this country too whilst we were out there which would take off 3000 of that every month. We only get an annual flight on top of that.
Even with all of that, we'd still be better off than we are over in the UK with me being a teacher and the Mrs working in cancer treatment. That's the depressing part!
But:
1. Rent your house out in the UK. **** paying a mortgage back there when you can rent it and someone else pays for you to own your own home. Surely?
2. This isn't a very fun place on a tight, tight budget. I know you might be frugal in the UK but stuff gets expensive here PDQ.
3. Do you get schooling for the littlun at all? If your wife found work in a Nursery or something part time, would she do it if it meant free childcare and an income?
How much experience do you have as a teacher?
Roughly where is your school?
Are you going to work for a big name company like GEMS?
#26
Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
14,000 once housing is provided / paid for?
If so, it will be tight.
As a couple, our bills are 2,000 ish (DEWA, Empower for AC and Du TV).
Food shops are 3-600 per week. Let's say 2,000 a month as well.
Car used to cost me 1500 in repayment (but that's paid off now), hers was 1100 (paid off as well) + banking 5-1000 a month for maintenance.
So that totals; 2 + 2 + 1.5 + 1.1 + 1 = 7,600.
14,000 - 7,600 = 6,400
Do you get schooling provided free?
Do you get flights provided?
6,400 is then your spending money, for nice things, for essentials like clothes, for petrol, for takeaways, for new shoes, for new bedding, for anything that you might spend money on. It's also your savings pot.
I'd suggest if your nipper goes to school for nothing and your mrs can get a part time job paying 5-10k a month, you'll be in a half decent position. Not great, but livable for sure.
If you're careful and sensible you can do it on the 14k + Housing.
It just might limit the amount of cash you can save and therefore how decent the float is for when things go wrong or you want a holiday etc.
If so, it will be tight.
As a couple, our bills are 2,000 ish (DEWA, Empower for AC and Du TV).
Food shops are 3-600 per week. Let's say 2,000 a month as well.
Car used to cost me 1500 in repayment (but that's paid off now), hers was 1100 (paid off as well) + banking 5-1000 a month for maintenance.
So that totals; 2 + 2 + 1.5 + 1.1 + 1 = 7,600.
14,000 - 7,600 = 6,400
Do you get schooling provided free?
Do you get flights provided?
6,400 is then your spending money, for nice things, for essentials like clothes, for petrol, for takeaways, for new shoes, for new bedding, for anything that you might spend money on. It's also your savings pot.
I'd suggest if your nipper goes to school for nothing and your mrs can get a part time job paying 5-10k a month, you'll be in a half decent position. Not great, but livable for sure.
If you're careful and sensible you can do it on the 14k + Housing.
It just might limit the amount of cash you can save and therefore how decent the float is for when things go wrong or you want a holiday etc.
3000AED / 560GBP a month, once he have covered his bills and paid his mortgage payment is not going to be enough for a couple with a small child. They would be running at a loss, and this is NOT the country to run at a loss.
IF the wife can get something, it would be do-able, as you say, but without that additional income, I believe its a suicidal move.
#28
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
I understand what you are saying. But: 1. Rent your house out in the UK. **** paying a mortgage back there when you can rent it and someone else pays for you to own your own home. Surely?2. This isn't a very fun place on a tight, tight budget. I know you might be frugal in the UK but stuff gets expensive here PDQ.3. Do you get schooling for the littlun at all? If your wife found work in a Nursery or something part time, would she do it if it meant free childcare and an income? How much experience do you have as a teacher?Roughly where is your school?Are you going to work for a big name company like GEMS?
If this salary level is far too low, then people must be pretty damn unhappy in Dubai, or leaving in droves. Maybe why there are teaching positions to fill!
#29
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Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
We cannot rent out our house as we've had to do the Government scheme to help us buy our first home. The school is Dubai British School in Springs 3. I have 6 years exp of teaching Physics and Maths.
If this salary level is far too low, then people must be pretty damn unhappy in Dubai, or leaving in droves. Maybe why there are teaching positions to fill!
If this salary level is far too low, then people must be pretty damn unhappy in Dubai, or leaving in droves. Maybe why there are teaching positions to fill!
as TGFKASE says. 3,000 spending money a month isn't going to work after bills, cars, food etc. KEep in mind my figures were based on an adult couple. Not including a kid - which I hear aren't cheap.
I wouldn't move if I were you, not unless your wife can get a seriously good job earning at least the same again.
#30
Re: Areas to live (Dubai)
We cannot rent out our house as we've had to do the Government scheme to help us buy our first home. The school is Dubai British School in Springs 3. I have 6 years exp of teaching Physics and Maths.
If this salary level is far too low, then people must be pretty damn unhappy in Dubai, or leaving in droves. Maybe why there are teaching positions to fill!
If this salary level is far too low, then people must be pretty damn unhappy in Dubai, or leaving in droves. Maybe why there are teaching positions to fill!
This is a standard teaching package. Normally handed out to a single 24 year old teacher with no kids. DBS used to put its teacher in motor city - massive flats. 90k sounds a lot in real money but it will only get you a 2 bed in "nearby" remram. You will need two cars.
Mrs Khitan needs a job - even a small job of 5-6k a month will do wonders. the issue will be that you'll then need to pay child care costs.
Living here is not as expensive as people claim, but rents are a killer (and it's no place to be poor).